Antique Furniture Repair

Repairing antiques can be a daunting and difficult task. But there are some ways to make it easier on yourself. If you’re here, then you’ve already taken the time to do some research before jumping right into it. Good for you! Antiques are delicate, and even the best intentioned repairs can cause irreparable damage and loss of value, especially if done by a novice. So where do you start?

Research your furniture! You need to know what you have before you can start repairs. Find out the time period and its place of origin. Then you can move on to seeing what you need to make your repairs. If you want to stay true to the piece, you can’t very well go choosing parts and materials that have no relation to the antique in question.

Now it’s time to choose the right materials. You’ve done your research so now you can find hardware, replacements, and other materials that will match your antique. You can find actual replacements, or if those are too hard to come by or too expensive, often you can find reproductions of hardware if you look around. Make sure to purchase glues, finishes and other materials that will match your antique and not damage it. There are many sites out there that offer products for antique repair and restoration, even Amazon.

Last but definitely not least, know when to give up. If the piece is too valuable or the repairs too difficult, it may be time to admit defeat. Take it to a professional. They can make the hard repairs and they know what things to keep, in order to retain the value. If you really want to learn how to repair and restore antiques, start with a less valuable piece and keep your nice stuff staying that way.