Furniture Restoration: The Forgotten Sustainable Craftsmanship

Restoring furniture is a great way to reduce waste and save money. Just because a chair looks a bit tatty or has a few tears here and there it doesn’t mean it’s ready for the bin! With some simple TLC you can get your furniture looking as good as new again and make some money in the process. 

Why is it good for the environment?

By restoring your existing furniture, you are preventing landfill waste and are reducing the amount of furniture bought. This doesn’t just save you money, but it also saves time and energy from manufacturing, packaging and shipping new furniture out. 

New furniture materials are cheap to produce and are often not recyclable, meaning that they will just end up in a huge pile of other nonrecyclable waste. 

If you have old furniture with solid wood formations, it’s far better to strip this furniture back to its canvas and work on it than to dump or dispose of it. Solid wood furniture is built to last, and it will more than likely outlive your newer, modern furnishings. 

What will you need?

To set up your business restoring wooden furniture you’ll need a well-ventilated area, shed, or workshop. Sanding down a piece of wooden furniture or using a wire brush to get rid of any debris can cause dust and other nasty particles to disperse into the air so it’s good to have goggles and a mask handy. 

You should also do your research before attempting a refurbishment, and already have some prior knowledge to how furniture refurbishing works. Whether you’re a hobbyist or have been in the trade for a long time, it’s important that you understand how the furniture has been assembled, the era in which it was created (if you are working with antiques) and what types of soft furnishings would suit it best. Some materials will sit differently against wood so it’s important you have the right fabrics in mind before starting.

You’ll also need a reliable supplier to provide you with your fabrics and materials. You’ll want a reputable trader who sells materials to you at a good price and is able to get them to you quickly should you need them. 

See what competition you have in your area and find a comfortable gap in the market to place your business. Don’t price yourself too high or too low, knowing exactly what customers expect to pay for what service will help you to define your business and gain a steady flow of clientele. 

Finally, ensure that you get your name licensed and out there. Make social media accounts and a website to showcase your services and provide potential customers with contact details so that they can reach you.