Solid wood — sanded, repaired, refinished
Furniture restoration
Old furniture doesn’t always need replacing. Solid wood pieces can often be repaired, sanded and refinished to give them a new life — usually for a lot less than buying new.
What’s suitable
Pieces I often take on
- Tables
- Chairs
- Cabinets
- Chests of drawers
- Bedside tables
- Desks
- Small wooden furniture
If you’re not sure whether your piece is worth restoring, send a photo and I’ll give you an honest view.
Solid wood or laminate?
It makes all the difference. Solid wood can be sanded right back and refinished. Laminate or veneered chipboard only has a thin printed surface, so it can’t be sanded the same way.
Not sure which you’ve got? A photo of a worn edge or the underside usually tells me straight away.
Typical work
What restoration usually involves
Every piece is different, but most jobs follow the same steps. Nothing starts until we’ve agreed what’s worth doing.
Send photos
A few clear photos of the piece and any damage — and the underside or a drawer if you can.
I check it over
I’ll look at whether it’s solid wood and what’s realistically possible.
Sanding & prep
Old finish taken back and the surface prepared properly.
Repairs
Small repairs where they’re needed and worthwhile.
Refinishing
Oiled, waxed or painted — whatever suits the piece and your room.
Back to you
Collection and delivery where possible, depending on the item and where you are.
Before & after
See the difference
This is where real before-and-after photos of restored pieces will go. They’re the most convincing thing you can show — worth collecting as jobs come in.
Good to know
Restoration questions
How do I know if my furniture can be restored?
Send a few clear photos — including any damage and, if you can, the underside or inside of a drawer. That helps me see whether it’s solid wood and worth refinishing. I’ll give you an honest answer either way.
What’s the difference between solid wood and laminate?
Solid wood can usually be sanded back and refinished. Laminate or veneered chipboard has only a thin printed surface, so it can’t be sanded in the same way. If you’re not sure which you’ve got, send a photo and I’ll tell you.
Can you restore antiques?
If a piece is valuable or a genuine antique, please speak to a specialist restorer first — sanding and refinishing can reduce the value of an antique. I focus on everyday solid wood furniture that’s worth keeping.
Do I need to bring the furniture to you?
Not necessarily. Depending on the item and where you are, I may be able to collect and return it in the van. We’ll sort that out when we discuss the job.
How long does it take?
It depends on the piece and the finish. Sanding, repairs and refinishing all need drying time between steps, so most jobs take a few days rather than a few hours. I’ll give you a realistic timescale once I’ve seen the photos.
Got a piece in mind?
Send a few photos of your solid wood furniture, along with your postcode. I’ll let you know whether it can be restored and roughly what’s involved.
- No job too small
- Quick replies
- Send photos for a quote