Easy Tips for Restoring Furniture: Part 1

Here at the ReStores, some of our best bargains are vintage furniture with slight damage or wear, which can be surprisingly easy to fix. So if you’re not into stripping and refinishing, but don’t mind putting in a little restoration work, here are a few things to look out for …

First off, some types of damage are difficult or impossible to repair, and are going to be a “no-go” for you. Wood rot, heavy water damage, and burns typically require replacement. Restoring woven fibers like rattan takes some experience. And while split veneer can often be fixed with glue and clamps, missing veneer is another story — it takes an artist’s skill to match woodgrain, and a botched job stands out worse than a missing chip, so proceed with caution.

Wonky drawers are among the most common problems in old furniture, and can be very easy to remedy. In antique pieces, it might just be a matter of finding the right order. Before mass production, drawers were fitted manually, so it’s often the case that drawers in vintage pieces will only sit correctly in the slot they were originally made for.

If that’s not the problem, look inside. Quite often, the issue is something as simple as a splintered piece of wood in the guiderail that needs to be removed, or even accumulations of dust in the groove or on the back ledge. (We’ve also seen lost socks blocking drawers, so check for that, too!) If you see scuff marks on the top or bottom of the drawer, sanding it down might be your solution. If the drawer is just “sticky,” try some wood wax to get it sliding again.

For sagging sofas, first check to see if the cushions are worn out. If so, you can add batting or replace the old filler. If the cushions aren’t the problem, check the S-springs. If they’ve lost their tension, you can cinch them up with chain repair links. (Look online for a good tutorial.) Or try adding a layer of sanded plywood between the cushions and the frame.

Damaged legs are another issue that’s often an easy fix. If the legs attach underneath, as they do on many chairs and sofas, just replace them. Old furniture legs are easy to find and don’t cost much. Or add fringe to hide worn or chipped feet that are still functional.

I you need to make minor hardware repairs, here’s a trick: An old egg carton is an excellent sorter for bolts, washers, nuts, and screws. Use scraps of paper in each cup to label where the parts go. And if you have to disassemble a piece of furniture, a grease pencil or painter’s tape helps keep track of which part goes where. (Handmade furniture might only fit back together one way, even if the pieces appear symmetrical.)

Just with these tips, you can find great bargains that you might have passed up otherwise. In part two of this article, we’ll cover how to handle slightly more challenging fixes like loose joints.

Hang on to this article so you can read Part 2 in an upcoming issue!