Your furniture is what makes your house unique to you and your family. When it is damaged, whether by normal wear and tear or as the result of a catastrophic event, you face a decision: can you restore and repair it, or replace it with something new?
Furniture Repair
Sometimes a minor repair is all that is needed to bring an old piece of furniture back to life. Before you decide to replace a broken piece of furniture, see if you can repair it:
- Bowed Bookshelves: Remove the books, flip the shelves, and replace the books. Consider putting less weight on the shelves.
- Sagging Couch Cushions: If the springs have worn out, your couch will not be as comfortable as it once was. Wrap a thin layer of plywood in cotton batting (available in the quilting section of your local fabric or craft store) under the cushions to firm up the upholstery.
- Outdated Fixtures: Replacing door handles, cabinet fixtures, and lamp shades is a quick and inexpensive way to freshen the look of your home without replacing major pieces of furniture.
Furniture Refinishing
If your furniture has water damage, the paint is faded or outdated, or has other surface problems, refinishing may be the answer. Some pieces are good candidates for DIY refinishing, while others are best left to the pros. Furniture made from inexpensive particleboard is not usually worth refinishing, although you could paint it to give it an updated look. Speak with a knowledgeable expert before you refinish any piece of furniture that could be considered an antique. Removing the original paint or finish could devalue or damage the piece.
Furniture Refinishing Cost
Furniture refinishing can cost less than $100 for a small piece, up to $1000 or more to hire a professional with experience refinishing antiques.
To do the job yourself, you will need a can of paint stripper, a stripping tool, and rubber gloves. Once you have stripped the piece, you will need to decide whether to paint or stain it, and buy those materials as well. Be sure you have an open area that is well-ventilated in which to work.
If you do not have the time or the space to take on a furniture refinishing project, don’t hesitate to hire a professional.
