Restoration, Refinishing, or Repair: What To Do With your Old Furniture

  • Written by Dave Logan


Whether you are trying to find a forever home or build a business, Sydney is the best place to make a fresh start. Its ideal blend of modern skyscrapers with green initiatives gives you the best of both worlds. For example, from King Street to Circular Quay south, you will be dwarfed by the high-rises and be overwhelmed by the traffic and the crowd. However, Bondi Beach is just 18 kilometers away if you want to unwind, get a tan, or take a dip. Meanwhile, the Blue Mountains National Park is only about an hour’s drive away.

So, it is not really surprising that Sydney’s population expanded by nearly 5% in 2019 from the 2.05% in 2018. More and more people are moving into the city and calling it home. Whether you are moving into a home or opening a business, you need to make sure you have the right furniture pieces to complete the look.

Since they are designed for function, it is inevitable that your sofa, dining room chair, leather lounge piece will break, wear down, rip, and sustain damage. You need professional furniture repairs in Sydney to restore or repair them without necessarily blowing your budget.

But it is best to discuss the differences between restoration, refinishing, and repair because they are often used interchangeably.

  1. Restoration -- You might think that restoration is more laborious compared to refinishing but it is the other way around. Restoration typically involves cosmetic changes to your furniture. For instance, if it involves only applying dye to the leather skin to make it brand new, then it classifies as a restoration. The process is ideal for antique pieces because any major modifications will impact on their value. The trick is to make the antique furniture look as new and old at the same time. Most collectors will demand authenticity and accuracy so the restoration expert must do a lot of research.

  1. Refinishing -- The process involves stripping down the furniture to its bones. For example, a wooden chair will have to be processed using chemicals and then sanded to remove any traces of varnish or paint. Afterwhich, the worker will then remove any residue from the sanding procedure before the stain will be applied. You can choose to bring back the old finish or an entirely new one.

  1. Repair -- The procedure encompasses the two other procedures. But it essentially involves the moving parts, essential components, and the integrity of the structure. For example, broken springs on your lounge sofa will involve replacement or repair to extend the lifespan of the furniture piece. You can repair by piecemeal basis, which works to your favour if you have a limited budget.

When you talk to a furniture specialist, you need to communicate your intentions clearly, whether you want a restoration, refinishing, or repair to avoid regretting your decision later on. The results might not match your desired expectations because something got lost in translation.

Furniture repairs in Sydney are very much in demand because of the market. For instance, the furniture industry in Australia is projected to hit $2 billion by the end of 2020 and further expand to $2.8 billion in 2024. Lounge Repair Guys are the only choice if you want your furniture restored, refinished, or repaired.