Alastair Johnson, Owner & Creative Director
Why Freebird?
We’re a small, independent business based in Sheffield, with a close-knit team who care about doing things properly. We’re known for thoughtful design, practical know-how, and a genuine passion for fitted furniture. At the heart of it, we’re here to make life better for our customers and for our team.
Meet Alastair Johnson – Founder and Creative Director
Freebird Interiors was founded in 2016 by Alastair Johnson, who started out in a garage workshop in Tinsley with a clear vision: to create beautifully designed, well-crafted fitted furniture with care and purpose. Today, the business operates from a dedicated industrial premises in Neepsend, near Sheffield’s vibrant Kelham Island district, with a growing team managing both commercial and trade projects.
Alastair’s training in architecture at the University of Sheffield, brings a rare depth of understanding to every design. His ability to plan spaces creatively and solve practical challenges sets Freebird apart from typical fitted furniture companies. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to balance functionality, flow and aesthetics.
Supporting and developing talent has always been important to Alastair. In 2018, Freebird Interiors was proud to receive Sheffield City Council’s Apprentice Provider of the Year award, recognising the company’s commitment to training and nurturing local makers.
Beyond running Freebird, Alastair shares his knowledge freely with the wider woodworking community. Through a growing hub of materials including videos, podcasts and downloadable resources, he helps fellow makers improve their craft and grow their businesses - from building alcove shelving to refining workshop processes. He has a loyal following of over 30,000 across YouTube and social media, and even developed a 3D assembly square to support quicker, more precise installations. In response to a growing demand, Freebird has also developed a gaming table for board game enthusiasts, developed in collaboration with gamers.
You might also spot Alastair on screen, he’s appeared as one of the featured carpenters on the BBC’s Interior Design Masters.
What Matters to Us
We’re a family-run business, and that ethos extends to how we treat our staff, our customers, and our community.
We look after our team with fair pay, meaningful work, and a safe, supportive environment. From proper protection in the workshop to ongoing training and personal development, we put health, growth, and wellbeing first - and we take pride in seeing our team thrive.
Behind the scenes, we run things efficiently and plan carefully, so everyone benefits from a business that works well. We value honesty, do what we say we will, and always look for better ways to do things. We listen, innovate, and keep learning - because as we grow, so does the business.
We also give back where we can, through local training, employment, and community support.
Put simply, we care about doing things properly - with integrity, creativity, and a sense of purpose in everything we do.
A daily reminder of what we stand for - right by the kettle!
Matt Murphy
CNC Operator
Brady Hall
Production Manager
Neil Surrey
Cabinet Fitter/Installer
How Freebird Compares to National Chains
At Freebird Interiors, everything we make is crafted from scratch in our Sheffield workshop by our skilled local team. We don’t rely on standard, pre-made components, your furniture is built to fit your space precisely, with every detail carefully considered.
In contrast, many national chains supply vinyl-wrapped, factory-produced doors that come in a limited range of sizes, finishes and colours. While we’re happy to offer vinyl-wrapped doors if that’s your preference, our usual approach is very different. Our doors are thicker, custom-made, and sprayed onsite in any colour you like including popular brands such as Farrow & Ball.
We also make the best of your space. Some companies use standard-sized cabinets and hide the gaps with filler panels. We believe that’s wasted potential. Our designs are tailored to fit perfectly, giving you more storage and a better-looking finish.
We’re confident that we offer better value for money than national chains, and that you’ll be genuinely delighted with the results.
Sustainability
Freebird Interiors has led the way in sustainability within the fitted furniture industry. Firstly, we made the unusual but deliberate decision to only use water-based paints from the beginning. Traditionally in our industry, the spray paints used have been a source of harmful VOCs. However in recent years water-based technology has moved on leaps and bounds, so when we set up our spray booth we made the decision to commit to using only water-based sprayed finishes. This creates more work for us with slightly longer drying times and more surface preparation but we think the benefits are worth it. Using only water-based spray products protects our staff from exposure to chemicals and helps the environment, and ensures our customers are spared the bad smell of still-curing chemical-laden paints in their home once our furniture is installed.
In terms of the boards used, we carried out extensive research into materials, ultimately choosing a high-density board from Finsa - a product now favoured by many across the industry thanks to our early advocacy. Our willingness to share this knowledge helped shift industry standards away from the previously dominant Medite board, and forged a long-standing partnership with Finsa, who are widely recognised for their sustainability and innovation.
Trusted by Leading Suppliers in the Industry
At Freebird Interiors, we’ve built strong relationships with some of the most respected names in bespoke fitted furniture including Finsa, Lamello, Sensio, Sugatsune, CabinetSense, Hultafors, and Blum.
These partnerships directly benefit our customers by giving us access to high-quality components and the latest innovations. Our suppliers trust us too. Alastair’s recommendations are taken seriously, not because he’s chasing clicks, but because he’s earned a reputation for integrity and expertise through years of hands-on work and honest advice.
In 2024, we were proud to design and build the exhibition stand for our board supplier @finsauk, which featured in their promotional video at the KBB show. You can read more about this collaboration in our article here.
Finsa stand built by Freebird at Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms exhibition at the Birmingham NEC
See Inside our Workshop
Your fitted furniture is made in our modern workshop in Sheffield, by our skilled team overseen by Brady, our Production Manager, who ensures everything runs smoothly from build to finish.
We moved into our current workshop during the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic, taking a leap of faith to build something bigger in Sheffield’s up-and-coming Neepsend area. We designed the space from the ground up for efficiency and quality, you can watch the video to see how it all came together.
What began in a garage in Tinsley has grown into a hub of craftsmanship and collaboration — not just for our team, but for makers across the UK and beyond who’ve been inspired by us sharing what we do.
Peace of Mind, Built In
Which? Code of Conduct
We are a member of Which? Trusted Trader. As a member we agree to adhere to the Which? Code of Conduct which offers you, the customer, the best possible protection.
The Freebird Promise
Every installation is backed by our Freebird Promise. We leave you with a wooden keepsake as a reminder of our commitment, and we’re always here if you need aftercare or a return visit.
Lifetime Guarantee for Blum Hinges
We use high-quality Blum hinges, made in Austria and backed by a lifetime guarantee. If needed, they can be replaced at any time.