All things furniture fittings...

Sustainable Choices and Soft Close Hinges and Runners – why upgrading your furniture is this year’s best trend Why is it a good idea to upgrade your furniture fittings and fixtures? Because small details can make a significant impact on the overall aesthetics and functionality of a space. One often overlooked, but game-changing upgrade, is the switch to soft close hinges and runners . With sustainability in mind, where there isn’t a need to completely replace a cabinet, cupboard or drawer, the addition of soft close hinges and runners may be the best option to elevate your furniture. Not only do they add a touch of sophistication to your furniture, but they also bring practical benefits that enhance the overall user experience. This year is a good time to invest Imagine that you walk into a room, and the first thing you notice is the sleek design of a cabinet door closing gently and silently, thanks to soft close hinges. It's a small touch that transforms a mundane action into a sa...

We are excited to announce a price drop on our existing stock of pan drawer runners . We believe in providing our customers with the best value for money and are confident that this product will continue to provide you with the same level of quality and satisfaction as many of our other products. What are pan drawer runners? Pan drawer runners are the mechanisms that allow your kitchen drawers to slide in and out smoothly. They are essential for ensuring that your drawers function correctly. Traditionally they are used in kitchens where variable drawer heights are required within the same unit but can also be used in a lounge, office or bedroom.  By using these drawer runners, all you need to supply is the base, rear, and your own drawer front. Below we have listed some of the great features of pan drawer runners. Smooth sliding Nylon rollers provide a smooth and quiet operation, allowing the user to easily access the contents of drawers without any resistance. The runners roll on ...

Our customers span a range of different industries and come in all shapes and sizes with varying expectations. Tony Killick, our General Manager, spoke to us about supplying the trade with furniture fixtures and fittings in our Q&A below. Which types of tradespeople and industries do Unico generally work with? "We supply multiple trade manufacturers and individuals across differing sectors including kitchen manufacturers, kitchen fitters, furniture designers, carpenters, bedroom fitters, office furniture manufacturers and locker furniture." Do Unico supply internationally? "Although we do sometimes supply overseas, the majority of our business is currently UK based customers." What are Unico especially well known for and what are your best-selling products with regards to trade customers? "Our strongest range is locks for furniture and lockers , for example code locks, cam locks, cylinder locks and much more. We actually have a vast product range, so lock...

In order to stay ahead of the game, we are always looking for new products to add to the huge number of items we keep in stock.  The news this month is we have just introduced a new range of Side Fix Drawer Runners with a weight loading of 35kg . These are more competitive than our current offering and we have listed the features and benefits below: Features of Side Fix Drawer Runners These are full extension drawer runners manufactured in steel with a zinc finish and fitted with a rubber back stop for a positive shut. They offer a maximum weight capacity of 35kg. They also feature a disconnect lever and steel ball bearing case. Please note, if used horizontally, the weight limit is reduced by three quarters. To ensure the drawer runners are correctly fitted they require a building in width of 12.5mm either side. What are the Benefits? More cost-effective alternative to our current runners  Hold a maximum of 35kg Easy access to the drawer and contents Drawer runners e...

If you are looking for a supplier of Knock Down (KD) furniture fittings, then you have come to the right place! At Unico, we supply KD furniture fittings to manufacturers of KD and flat pack furniture and have done so for more than 40 years. Supply meets demand The furniture market has generally seen an increase in demand for cheaper furniture which makes ready to assemble (RTA) and flat pack furniture an ideal choice when setting up home. Although KD furniture is generally less costly to produce and easier to transport, the standard of materials used varies quite substantially. We supply furniture manufacturers with a range of fittings to suit every type of RTA furniture such as panel connectors and brackets through to Allen keys and noise buffers. KD fittings for outdoor furniture We also specialise in recliner chair fittings and outdoor furniture fittings for furniture that can be collapsed and stored: spring-loaded lock pins, umbrella spoke fittings, ratchet for recliner chairs a...

Despite the challenges of the last year, the furniture manufacturing industry never ceases to amaze in its ability to adapt, while also continuing to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy. We looked at some of the recent changes we particularly have observed, as a supplier of fixtures and fittings to the furniture manufacturing industry. Home Working Home working has increased the need for home office furniture as the WFH (Work From Home) movement takes a strong hold on the workforce. People are willing to invest in WFH spaces seeing this transition as a permanent one. Not just a decent ergonomic chair, but dedicated workspaces rather than utilising the kitchen table or breakfast bar as a desk. More People are Renting As it becomes increasingly difficult for younger people to get onto the property ladder, the option of renting also offers lower commitment and the freedom to relocate with less headache. The challenge for the furniture industry is to supply lower ...

Soft Close and Push to Open Drawer Runners Of course we get excited about all our product launches, but this is a first! We have not previously supplied a runner with the two functions of soft close and push to open combined.  These runners conveniently accommodate the trend for drawers without handles which alludes to modern minimalist style along with the luxury and quality of the fitting itself: providing simplicity and style with functionality. Where can we use them? These side fix runners are normally used in a bedroom or living room. There is no reason they can’t be utilised in kitchen drawers as well. The big appeal is preventing banging when closing, and the soft glide mechanism is a pure delight.   Noise is reduced as drawers close silently and gently every time and can never be slammed shut. All that is needed is a gentle touch which engages the mechanism that fully closes or opens the drawer. Replacement, upgrade and new design These side mounted drawer...

At the beginning of the pandemic working from home seemed an inviting novelty in some ways. I could stay in my pyjamas all day, snack constantly from the fridge and do a bit of gardening during my lunch break. That novelty soon wore off after the back pain set in from trying to work on my laptop while sitting on the sofa. When moving to the breakfast bar was no better, I realised I needed a dedicated work from home space; where my feet could touch the floor, I could have all my documents close to hand and not be constantly tripping over cables. Invest in remote working We all can see that working from home now looks more like a long term scenario for many staff who were previously office based. It has the benefit of saving money and time not having to endure a tiresome commute. Staff are more productive and apparently, work longer hours on average when working from home. It seems to make sense then, to invest in a dedicated work from home space right now. Deciding how to configure ...

As staff return to work from furlough there will be some changes in the office. Notably the office furniture and it’s layout. Office furniture fitters, cabinet makers and carpenters have a lot of work on their hands, to meet the standards of our new normal and ensure we are all safe, and compliant with social distancing rules within the workplace. As we can’t predict how long social distancing measures are likely to be necessary, it is certain that employers will want office furniture that offers a variety of layout solutions and give the most flexibility.   Unico for Furniture Fittings At Unico we stock a huge number of office furniture fittings for the domestic and trade markets. We are also proud to be a leading furniture parts supplier to many leading furniture manufacturers from around the world. 7 Essential Desk Fittings We have put together a list of 7 essential items for desk fittings for office furniture and work spaces. These might include reception area furniture, m...