Furniture Restoration - Tips and Tricks!

There is something remarkably satisfying about restoring furniture. The fulfilment might come from having and holding a piece of history, thinking about who might have used it and what for. It might be because you’re saving a segment of the past. You might love the therapeutic process of putting your stamp on a piece of unloved furniture or the pride in seeing it look as good as new.

Whatever your reason, lots of us love furniture and continue to restore it to a high quality. But what does it take to restore furniture? Here are some tried-and-tested tips and tricks to get you off to a flying start.

What is furniture restoration?

If you’re a little unsure, furniture restoration is the process of bringing an old piece of furniture back to life. Often, as times move on and change, furniture goes out of fashion and ends up in a place where it’ll be damaged or broken and left to fall apart. Luckily, plenty of people love furniture restoration and save them from homes and charity shops to fix and bring them back to life.

Furniture restoration is often confused with upcycling. Although they are similar, upcycling tends to involve changing the purpose of the piece, while restoring focuses on bringing the furniture back to its original glory and worth.

Things to consider before starting

Is the piece worth it?

Before getting started, this is a very important question to consider. Furniture in need of restoration comes in all states of disrepair. Do you have the time and skills to restore it? If the answer is no, it’s likely to enter your property and continue to sit in disrepair, as opposed to somebody else having the chance to sort it. Sometimes, it’s better to say no.

Where will you work?

Do you have a designated space where you can work? It is perfect to have an area away from your main living space to work on the furniture without it getting in the way. That also means you won’t have to keep getting your equipment out and tidying up each day.

What will you do with it?

It's great to remember what you’ll do with the piece when you’ve finished. If you plan to keep it, you can prepare where it will sit and the finishes to stay in keeping with your home. If you plan to sell it, you might prepare it to make it more sellable.

Have you got the right tools and materials?

The last thing you want to do is get started and then abruptly stop because you don’t have the correct tools. Do you have sanding equipment, screwdrivers and clamps? Have you bought wood filler, and are you ready with the stain or varnish?

Top tips and tricks

Now that you’re ready to start on your furniture, here are some top tips and tricks to ensure the final product is as you imagined.

Don’t scrimp on the cleaning

An old piece of furniture that has served many throughout its life is bound to be covered in all manner of grime and dirt. Although cleaning might be tedious, you’ll never get the finish you’re after if you don't. For best results, use warm water with a very small amount of washing-up liquid, or if you want to do it the traditional way, use vinegar instead of the washing-up liquid. Wipe the cloth over all surfaces, inside and out.

Always fix the broken bits

Fixing all the broken bits is so crucial to the outcome. A dent, wobbly leg, or broken hinge does matter. Be prepared for the section to take extra time. You might need to use filler, wood glue, or clamps to sort out the problem, which could take overnight to dry. Ultimately, it’s best not to get into the aesthetics until you have a solid structure.

Avoid over-sanding

Sanding is a crucial aspect of furniture restoration. The process ensures that any old varnish is removed and the surfaces are smooth and ready for whatever treatment you apply. However, over or uneven sanding can cause an uneven surface with unnecessary dips or grooves. Over-sanding often happens when a woodworker tries to remove a stubborn mark; however, it can be very hard to rectify.

Treat each piece as an individual

One of the biggest joys of old or antique furniture is that often, they’re unique or rarer than the mass-produced furniture of today. It’s usually much higher quality and has already survived much longer than most modern pieces. With that in mind, seeing the individuality of each piece and doing it justice is vital. Think about how you can restore this piece rather than follow a standard process. That way, the outcome will be better, and somebody will love it for years to come.

Also, remember that each piece of furniture will be made from a different wood or material in various ways. Knowing which sandpaper grit to use and which stains or varnishes work best with each type of wood will save disappointment in the long run.

Protect your face

Lastly comes the health warning. Small particles in your airways are never a good idea, and you should always wear a protective face covering when you come into contact with them. However, sometimes it’s hard to know what was used on old furniture previously, so always take extra precautions to avoid any nastiness further down the line. Cover your mouth and nose, and restore your furniture in an open or well-ventilated space.

Furniture restoration is a great idea, and if you’ve always fancied trying it, why not give it a go? There’s a lot to consider, but make sure you look at each unique piece of furniture, plan the process in a way that does the furniture justice, and use equipment and materials perfect for the job. You could end up with some fantastic pieces to keep or sell. You can also be safe in the knowledge that you have saved it from the scrap heap and given it a second chance.

Author: Hannah Harding