Whether you’ve been thrift shopping for secondhand finds or holding onto an antique family heirloom, refinishing wooden furniture can be a rewarding project. However, not all pieces are ideal candidates for this treatment, and some may suffer more damage in the process.

If worn-down wood furniture is taking up space in your home, consider the following factors before taking it to a furniture repair shop:

• Real Wood: If you have a piece of wood furniture that was made in the last 50 years, double-check to ensure it’s real, solid wood—not particleboard with a laminate finish. Attempting to refinish a piece made from these knock-off materials is a waste of time, as it won’t respond to any restoration techniques.
• Condition: Assess the condition of your wood furniture piece, or ask a professional furniture repair shop to take a look. If it is in decent shape in terms of form and function, it’s a good candidate for refinishing. If there are surface scratches, make sure they are shallow enough to benefit from restoration.
• Antique Value: Whether your piece is a valuable antique or simply rich in sentimental value, see a professional who can give the official go-ahead on a wood refinishing treatment. If it happens to be a coveted antique, the wrong treatment could diminish its value. If you do wish to proceed with refinishing, enlist the help of a professional furniture repair shop instead of doing it yourself.

Whether your wooden furniture needs a minor repair or a complete makeover, you can rely on the professionals at Tri-County Furniture Restoration to restore its original beauty. This respected furniture repair shop has been fixing and reupholstering furniture in Cincinnati, OH, for over 36 years. To learn more, call (513) 771-6389 or visit their website for a comprehensive list of services. You can also connect with them on Facebook to receive regular updates.