Are you a fan of vintage furniture? Have you ever found it difficult to tell whether a piece is worth restoring? We understand your dilemma. Even though collecting antique furniture can be a rewarding hobby, we know how costly and time-consuming it can be, most especially when you’re looking to invest a tangible fortune into French restoration or polishing. So, the question remains: How do you confirm if you are investing in a valuable antique or piece of worthless junk?
There are several factors to consider in this regard, but we’ll highlight some of the most important ones in the following paragraphs.
Factors to Consider Before Restoring Furniture
1. Condition:
The first piece in this puzzle is ascertaining the overall condition of the furniture. The greater the damage the upholstery has sustained, the more difficult and expensive it will be to restore.
How structurally sound is the piece? Does it have splits or missing parts? How about the wood? Is it dry, warped, or rotten? Is the finish fading or peeling? These are the questions you should find answers to before shelling out hard-earned cash.
2. Quality:
The next thing you should consider is the quality of the furniture. If possible, investigate the original maker of the furniture.
This is not to say that only established furniture makers make good furniture. But this info would let you know how it was made (whether it was handcrafted, machine-made, or mass-produced) and the nature of materials used (solid wood, veneer, or particle board). If the furniture quality is highly valued, it is most likely worth restoring.
3. Style:
To gain a sense of the style of the furniture to be restored and if it fits your current living conditions, ask yourself: does your piece belong to this period? Depending on whether you fancy antique or contemporary pieces, this can be a deal-breaker.
What furniture design features does it have? Are the features rare or something generic you can find anywhere? If exclusivity matters to you, this is very important.
Most importantly, does the furniture match your personal taste and home decor? The more appealing and desirable the furniture style, the more value it will have after restoration.
4. History:
The final aspect to consider is the history of the furniture. Who has owned it in the past, and what stories does it tell? Does it have any marks, labels, or signatures that can identify its origin and background? Of course, if it has any sentimental value to you or your family, the piece becomes all the more interesting and meaningful, making the restoration process even more rewarding.
Summing Up
Restoring furniture can be a worthwhile endeavour if you know how to tell if a piece is worth restoring. By evaluating the condition, quality, style, and history of the furniture, you can make an informed investment decision that you won’t come to regret in the future. Suppose you reside in London and are looking for skilled furniture restoration london artisans; Schryver Restoration is a stalwart in furniture restoration servicing London and its environs.
