Is It Worth Resurfacing and Refinishing Furniture?

With the fluctuating cost of living, a common question we hear at Kilmister Furniture Restoration is whether furniture refinishing or resurfacing is worth the investment. It is a fair question we will answer in this blog.

First, let us outline what furniture resurfacing and wood refinishing are. Refinishing generally means removing or sanding off an existing wood finish, like varnish or paint, and then applying a new finish. Resurfacing usually refers to going over the top layers of furniture.

To preface, at Kilmister Furniture Restoration, we do not recommend or offer resurfacing. If you are going to repaint or polish furniture, we think you need to do it properly and sand back existing layers. Polishing over an old finish can lead to delamination between layers. 

With that being said, when should you invest in the work, whether you have a boardroom table or a cabinet for refinishing?

The benefits of refinishing furniture

When deciding whether furniture restoration like this is worth your money, it is important to understand its benefits. Some of these benefits of furniture refinishing include: 

  • In most cases, repairing and restoring furniture costs less than buying new, especially for high-quality pieces. When it comes to commercial furniture restoration and repair, getting work done in bulk allows for economies of scale for further discounts.
  • If you have older furniture, antiques or even cabinets for refinishing, certain design elements and craftsmanship are difficult to replicate; as such, their charm is impossible to replace.
  • Family heirlooms often hold deep sentimental value, having been part of many cherished moments. Wood refinishing in these instances is the only way to carry on this history in the family.
  • Sustainability is everyone’s responsibility. When deciding whether to replace or repair furniture, consider the environmental impact. If possible, avoid leaving furniture in landfills.
Large coffee table restored by Kilmister Furniture Restoration.

When refinishing makes sense

With the aforementioned benefits of furniture refinishing in mind, what specific scenarios make sense for investing money into having a professional carry out the work?

Here are everyday situations where working with a furniture restoration professional like Kilmister Furniture Restoration makes sense:

  1. Minor damage, such as scratches, bleaching, and small structural issues, is usually quick and cost-effective for a furniture restorer to fix. Many other cosmetic issues are also usually cost-effective and quick to repair.
  2. Refinishing is much easier if your furniture is made from solid finishes and materials that can handle refinishing and sanding, such as oak, walnut, maple, cherry, and thick veneers. These woods tend to hold their value more, too.
  3. With the high and ever-increasing value of many older pieces, antique furniture restoration and French polishing are very common. Investing in having work done retains the original charm of the pieces and helps them hold, or even increase, their sales value. Antique furniture restoration is an investment that will easily pay for itself in the long run.
  4. In commercial settings, or when a table or kitchen top gets regular use, getting a furniture restorer to refinish wood with a durable finish and a two-pot lacquer means the surface will be long-lasting and stand up to years of use. Cabinet refinishing is very common because of the durable finishes available.
  5. You may need to keep your existing furniture to match your decor. If you have a unique piece you love that may be damaged, investing in restoring it means you get to keep the style that fits your space so well.

For smaller jobs, you may even try DIY furniture repair.

Chaise lounge that has been restored and repolished by Kilmsiter Furniture Restoartion and reupholstered by Furnhaus.

When it might be more trouble than it’s worth

Sometimes, paying to replace worn or damaged furniture makes sense financially. For example, if your furniture is made from cheaper materials or things like MDF or laminate, it is difficult to sand or unable to be stained. In some cases, furniture can also be damaged beyond repair. 

While experts like Kilmister Furniture Restoration can work wonders and fix many issues, from broken joints to warping, rot and even borer damage, sometimes a piece may have comprehensive damage that is impossible to fix.

While you can judge for yourself whether furniture is worth refinishing, the easiest thing to do is to reach out to an expert to ask the question or get a free quote. Kilmister Furniture Restoration has an easy online form where you can upload a photo of the damage, and we can email you back our thoughts quickly.

Get a professional to do the job

While some smaller jobs can be done at home, for a quality finish that will stand the test of time, it is usually best to get in a professional like Kilmister Furniture Restoration for any furniture refinishing. If you are investing in the work, it makes sense to ensure a quality result.

Furniture refinishing is usually well worth the cost, but it can be hard to know. Ask yourself whether the piece is unique or antique, what it means to you, and your stance on sustainability.

Getting Kilmister Furniture Restoration in for furniture repair, whether for a boardroom table and chairs or refinishing cabinets, can save you time and money. You know that we use commercial-grade products and tools and have 40 years of experience. In addition to doing a fantastic job, we make the process convenient for you with pick-up and delivery.