However durable and high quality your furniture may be, after many years of daily use it will inevitably start looking shabby and worn. You will have no choice but to replace the old pieces – unless you find an efficient way to restore them to a beautiful and serviceable condition. In fact, there are some quite affordable and effective methods to do so and give new life to your worn-out furniture.
When it comes to wooden furniture repair, you can choose between two options – restoration and refinishing. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but in reality they’re two distinct processes. Which one will work better for your particular needs depends on the value and condition of your furniture, as well as on your plans for it.
In order to make an informed decision about your old pieces, however, first you need to understand the difference between furniture restoration and refinishing.
Furniture Restoration
Furniture restoration is the process of returning a damaged piece to its original condition
Generally speaking, furniture restoration is the process of returning a damaged piece to its original condition. The furniture is thoroughly cleaned and any surface damage like scratches, cracks, water stains, etc. are carefully repaired. Then, the furniture’s existing finish is maintained and polished to restore the gorgeous look of the piece.
Full restoration covers repairs to the furniture’s structural integrity like regluing loose joints, fixing broken supports, replacing missing parts, and repairing damaged components such as drawers, inlays, veneers, hardware, etc., as well. The restoration work returns old and worn-out furniture to its original appearance and functionality.
All in all, furniture restoration is a non-invasive process that leaves the item intact as much as possible. It is typically used for quality antiques or family heirlooms with high monetary or sentimental value. The pieces are properly cleaned, sanded, and polished by expert craftsmen and age appropriate wood is used for the repairs, so the furniture is returned to its original condition while maintaining its historical value.
So, if your old furniture is mostly intact but looks worn out and tired, or if you have a vintage piece or a family heirloom in need of repair, furniture restoration is your best bet – some subtle touch-ups and skillful repairs can restore the original good look and sturdy feel of your pieces, while maintaining the structural integrity, outer appearance, and intrinsic value of antiques.
Furniture Refinishing
Furniture refinishing refers to the process of reapplying the finishing on a furniture piece.
Furniture refinishing refers to the process of reapplying the finishing on a furniture piece. Basically, it means stripping the piece of its current finish (whether it’s paint, shellac, or polyurethane) and coating it with something new (lacquer, top coat, varnish, etc.). For wooden furniture, a chemical stripper is generally used to remove the existing damaged, failed, or unsightly finish, revealing the bare wood. Then, the material is sanded and stained, allowed to set, and covered with a new layer of finish.
Refinishing can also include updating hardware and making minor cosmetic repairs (such as filling in or sanding out dents, for example).
The primary goal of the process is to restore the appearance or renew the finish of a furniture piece so it becomes serviceable and aesthetically pleasing once again.
Refinishing can restore the original look of the furniture, transform a rustic piece into a modern one, take a painted item back to a more natural state, or make a piece of oak look like ebony, so it matches the rest of the home décor – the options are virtually unlimited. You can even have a piece antiquated or distressed to make it look ancient or representative of a certain historical period.
Keep in mind though that because the original finish is eliminated during the refinishing process, a refinished piece may lose some of its value. It is, therefore, important to discuss the issue with a professional before deciding to refinish your old furniture.
The Main Difference Between Furniture Restoration and Furniture Refinishing
Although many people use the terms interchangeably or consider refinishing to be a part of the restoration process, furniture refinishing and furniture restoration are different things:
- Restoration aims at returning a piece to its original condition, while refinishing can be used to improve the look and functionality of a furniture item or to fully change its appearance and style;
- Refinishing is a more in-depth process than restoration;
- Restoration can entail more work than refinishing as furniture restoration professionals need to use the same techniques and materials the original craftsmen would have used;
- Restored furniture retains its historical value, while refinished furniture may lose some of it.
Both processes enhance the beauty and functionality of a furniture piece.
Should You Restore or Refinish Your Old Furniture?
In order to make the right decision for your worn-out furniture, you need to consider several important factors:
- The condition of the furniture:
- If the finish is badly damaged, cracked, blemished, or sticky, or if it is coming off in flakes, then you should have the furniture refinished;
- If the furniture appears dull and lifeless but has only minor damage, then professional furniture restoration is your better choice.
- The value of the furniture:
- If your old furniture is an antique or vintage piece, or an exquisite work of art, you must be very careful not to reduce its value (furniture pieces made more than 100 years ago, finished with a hand-painting technique, or made by notable craftsmen or manufacturers have great market value). Such precious items must be professionally restored by skillful and experienced specialists;
- If your old furniture is a practical and comfortable item you want to keep using, you need it to be functional, to look beautiful, and to match your home décor. Furniture refinishing is your best option.
- Your intentions for the furniture:
- If you intend to sell the piece, you should try to increase its market value – either have it carefully restored to preserve the patina, texture, and original appearance of an antique or have it properly repaired and refinished, so a newer item looks fashionable and stylish;
- If you intend to use the piece, you need it to be as practical as possible – refinishing it will allow you to get a sturdy piece of furniture, custom-finished to match the style of your home décor.
If you’re not sure whether to restore or refinish your old furniture, seek professional advice – the experts will examine your piece and will be able to recommend the right course of action. They will also be able to perform the necessary repairs in a safe, quick, and efficient manner, should you decide that you’re not up to the task.
Using professional furniture refinishing services will not only save you a lot of time and effort, but will also ensure your peace of mind as there will be no risk of accidental damage or depreciation of the furniture value. The experienced specialists will not only return your old pieces to a great condition but will also enhance their beauty and monetary worth. Just make sure you find skillful, reliable, and affordable furniture refinishers to work with.
