Thinking of refinishing your antique furniture? Not so fast! Sometimes restoring an antique piece can damage the wood or decrease its value. While light restoration is usually fine with any antique piece, a completely refinishing is another matter. When in doubt as to whether or not to refinish your antique furniture or not, talk to a professional. Share on X

Antique Furniture: Don’t DIY

If you stare at a piece of antique furniture long enough, chances are you’ll find a couple of flaws. Most collectors love these flaws, seeing them as a sign of age, value and character. But you might not. A good rule of thumb is that if your antique is valuable, don’t touch it yourself! If something breaks, peels or wears beyond your liking, take it to a professional restorer.

When to Refinish

  • If it’s previously been painted or refinished
  • There’s a difference between antique and old. If your furniture is thrifted, not valuable or you’re just not attached to it in any way, refinish or paint away
  • If the original finish is worn or almost completely gone, leaving the wood exposed.

When to Leave It Alone

  • When the piece is in overall good condition and completely original
  • If it’s made with veneer over wood (most veneer will not stain properly)
  • Certain types of wood, like Mahogany, are notoriously difficult to restore. If you paint or stain it and change your mind, there’s no going back.

The Beauty of Age

Most people who buy antiques do so because they love having a piece of history in their home. The flaws that would be unacceptable in new furniture are charming, even desirable in antiques. However, it’s your house and your aesthetic, so ultimately the only thing that matter is if you love it.

Contact Us to learn more about finding the perfect antique piece of furniture, or for questions about restoring antiques.