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Tutorial of How to Use Canadel's Custom Dining UDesign Tool

Written by Nicholas Carchidi | Mar 13, 2025 7:38:54 PM

 

Est. Reading Time: 9 Mins

Designing your dream dining room is easier than ever with the Canadel UDesign Tool. This online customization tool allows you to create personalized dining furniture that fits your unique style and space. 

With over 9 million combinations available, the UDesign Tool provides an intuitive and interactive experience, making it simple to explore different styles, materials, and configurations before making a purchase.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to use the Canadel UDesign Tool from start to finish, ensuring you get the most out of this powerful customization platform.

In This Article...

  1. Accessing the UDesign Tool
  2. Getting Started with Canadel’s UDesign Tool
  3. Exploring Canadel’s Collections
  4. Customization Options
  5. Finalizing Your Design
  6. Finding a Retailer & Placing an Order

 

Step 1: Accessing the Canadel UDesign Tool

To begin, visit the Canadel UDesign Tool. This tool is available online and does not require any downloads or installations.

Upon arriving at the site, you’ll land on Canadel’s homepage, where you can:

  • Browse different furniture collections
  • Explore Canadel’s product catalog
  • Access their magazine for design inspiration
  • Locate nearby Canadel retailers

While all of these features can be helpful, the main focus here is on furniture customization. To access the UDesign Tool, locate the "Customize" button in the top navigation menu and click on it. This will take you directly to the interactive interface where the customization magic begins.

If you are visiting the tool from a La-Z-Boy location in Kanata, you may be redirected to a version of UDesign that is specifically linked to that store. This ensures that when you finalize your design, you’ll be able to order through a local retailer.

 

Step 2: Exploring the UDesign Interface

Once you enter the UDesign Tool, you’ll be presented with a user-friendly interface that is designed to guide you through the customization process. Here, you will have two primary options:

  • Start Customizing – Jump straight into designing your furniture.
  • Take a Tour – If you're new to the tool, this guided tutorial walks you through key features and steps.

If you have a Canadel account, you can log in to save your designs for later. However, if you don’t, you can still use the tool as a guest.

After clicking "Start Customizing", the screen will scroll down to reveal six different style categories:

  1. Bespoke, Versatile, Stylish
  2. A Rustic Look With Elegance
  3. Sophisticated and Trendy
  4. Easy to Stay on Trend
  5. Inspired Entertaining
  6. Getting the Industrial Edge

While these categories are helpful for inspiration, you are not limited to them. If you already have a specific piece of furniture in mind, you can use the drop-down menu to browse by Collections. Canadel’s Collections include:

  1. Canadel (Core, Classic)
  2. Modern
  3. Gourmet
  4. Downtown
  5. Champlain
  6. Loft

This flexibility allows you to start customizing your furniture in a way that best suits your needs.

 

Step 3: Exploring Canadel's Collection

Now comes the exciting part—designing your furniture to match your personal style. The UDesign Tool allows you to customize various elements, including:

Canadel offers six collections, each with unique design aesthetics:

  • Canadel Collection: Canadel’s flagship collection with two different styles associated with it (Core and Classic).
  • Modern Collection: a bold take on dining room furniture, displaying brass detailing and modern edges.
  • Gourmet Collection: Simple, designs that are inspired by European dining furniture.
  • Downtown Collection: an ultra-modern collection that offers dynamic and angular pieces.
  • Champlain Collection: a rustic collection that takes inspiration from distressed wood and cottagecore styles.
  • Loft Collection: the modern industrial collection that features mainly dark wood and metallic pieces.

Once you’ve selected your collection, you can then choose the specific type of furniture you want to customize. The options include:

  • Dining Tables – Available in rectangular, round, oval, and square shapes.
  • Seating (Chairs, Benches) & Stools – Choose from wood or upholstered designs with various leg styles.
  • Buffets & Storage Units – Ideal for keeping dining essentials organized.
  • Kitchen Islands – A great choice for those who want extra counter space and storage.

 

Step 4: Customizing Your Furniture

Once you have chosen your collection and furniture type, it’s time to start customizing every detail of your piece. The UDesign Tool offers an impressive level of personalization, allowing you to modify several aspects, including:

Shape and Size Adjustments

If you are working with a tight dining space or need a larger table for hosting gatherings, you can modify the size to fit your exact requirements. For tables, you can also choose from different tabletop shapes, such as rectangular, round, oval, or square.

Selecting Wood Finishes and Colors

Canadel provides a wide range of stains and painted finishes, allowing you to achieve the perfect look for your space. Whether you prefer the natural beauty of light oak or the sophistication of a deep espresso finish, the tool lets you preview different colors in real time.

Choosing Upholstery Fabrics and Materials

For chairs and stools, you can customize the upholstery by selecting from various fabric options. These range from neutral linen tones to bold patterned fabrics, giving you the flexibility to match your existing decor. If you prefer a more natural look, you can also opt for solid wood seating.

Additional Customization Features

Depending on the furniture piece, you may have the option to:

  • Add armrests to chairs.
  • Choose different leg styles for tables and stools.
  • Include extension leaves for tables to accommodate extra guests.

It’s worth noting that some customization options may be greyed out or unavailable depending on the furniture type and collection. This is because certain features are not available for all designs. For example, some stool styles may not offer armrests, while certain chair designs may not support fabric upholstery.

 

Step 5: Viewing Your Design in 3D and Finalizing Your Selection

After finalizing your customizations, you can take advantage of the 3D viewing feature to see your furniture from different angles. This interactive tool allows you to:

  • Rotate your furniture for a 360-degree view.
  • Zoom in to examine fine details, such as wood grain and fabric texture.
  • Test different color combinations before making a final decision.

Once you’ve reviewed your design, you can add it to your Wish List. Unlike a traditional shopping cart, Canadel’s Wish List allows you to save multiple designs and revisit them later. This feature is especially useful if you are considering multiple furniture pieces or want to compare different styles before making a decision.

 

 

Step 6: Finding a Retailer and Placing Your Order

Once you’re satisfied with your customized furniture, the final step is to find a Canadel retailer where you can complete your order. The UDesign Tool provides a built-in “Find a Dealer” feature that allows you to locate the nearest store based on your location.

Because all Canadel furniture is made-to-order, pricing is provided by the retailer rather than the online tool. Once your order is placed, it will be crafted with high-quality materials and delivered to your home.

What's Next?

Now that you have all of the information you need to properly use Canadel’s UDesign tool, why not test it out for yourself?

Canadel has endless possibilities to choose from online and in person. You can discover more options by going to their Kanata location, right next to La-Z-Boy’s Kanata showroom. Or visit us at any Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston La-Z-Boy locations.

La-Z-Boy also knows a thing or two about customizing and personalizing furniture to your specific needs. 

If you would like to know more about Canadel’s endless options, or if you are interested in La-Z-Boy furniture, come to any of our Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston store locations or you can book an appointment online to talk to any of our Interior Design Experts. They are happy to answer any questions involving La-Z-Boy or Canadel furniture.

To learn more about La-Z-Boy dining furniture, take a look at our Dining Buyer’s Guide.

Related Articles:

Review of the Canadel Dining Collection

How Much Does a Dining Room Table Cost?