Is it cheaper to refinish furniture or buy new?

Author: Isaac Connelly DDS  |  Last update: Friday, April 25, 2025

It can also be used to change the shade of the furniture, preserve its value, and is safe for the environment. Refinishing is less expensive than buying new pieces with which to furnish your home.

Is it worth it to refinish old furniture?

If you have the time and talent, refinishing is much cheaper for a high quality piece, assuming you are doing the work (not paying to have it done). Having the piece stripped professionally can be expensive, but if the piece is good quality, this can still be cheaper than buying new.

What furniture should not be refinished?

If the furniture is a unique designer antique or a valuable antique, don't refinish it. You might end up destroying the value of the furniture.

Is it cheaper to recover furniture or buy new?

If you have a high-quality piece or an antique, an upholsterer's charges will be small compared with replacement costs. But if you have a low- or medium-quality piece, the upholsterer's fees for fabric and labor will probably be higher than a new item.

Is it better to sand or strip furniture?

– Existing Finish: If the wood has an existing finish that needs to be removed, stripping is typically the preferred method. – Surface Imperfections: If the wood has surface imperfections, scratches, or uneven areas, sanding is more appropriate.

Furniture Flip from start to end - My process to buy, makeover, and resell (in 24 hours)

What furniture is worth refinishing?

A vintage item several decades old is likely antique furniture that you should seek out furniture refinishing services for. You should also be careful with extremely old antiques, especially those older than 1850, because refinishing can damage their value.

Is it worth reupholstering a 20 year old sofa?

Is it better to reupholster or buy new? It is better to reupholster a high-quality couch, an antique, or a family heirloom. If the cost to reupholster is similar to or more than the cost of a new couch, buying a new one should be considered.

How often do most people replace furniture?

All You Need To Know About Replacing Furniture

Some people replace their furniture every 10 to 12 years while others sustain their furniture for longer. You can also look to refurbish and repair your old damaged furniture. However, we will guide you on when you should get a replacement for your furniture.

Is there money in restoring furniture?

A furniture flipping business can be incredibly profitable, and it's a great way for you to earn some extra cash on the side — or even replace your current income. Restoring and reselling used furniture is also an excellent means to build up capital to start your own Amazon or ecommerce business.

What is the difference between furniture restoration and refinishing?

But with age and wear, these cherished pieces may be in need of some tender loving care from professional heirloom furniture restoration or refinishing services. Refinishing involves removing the original finish with chemicals, while restoration focuses on maintaining the original finish through gentle cleaning.

What finish looks best on furniture?

Varnishes and oils offer a natural-looking wood finish. Varnish, shellac, and lacquer are not easy to apply, but they do offer a deep and rich look. They will also deepen and darken over time. Varnishes are the best choice for high-gloss surfaces.

Can you refinish furniture without sanding it?

Yes, you can paint right over old painted furniture without sanding. You will need something called a DEGLOSSER and you can use this on OLD KITCHEN CABINETS to prep for new paint as well! Find my favorite Deglosser HERE.

How do I know if my wood furniture is worth refinishing?

Age is a crucial factor in analyzing your wood furniture for refinishing. In the old days, stripping the old finish with chemicals and sealing the wood with varnish was the authentic way to deal with antique furniture. But refinishing old pieces of solid wood made before 1850 can hurt their antique value.

How much does it cost to restore a piece of furniture?

The cost of furniture refinishing is $628 on average, but you can expect to pay between $337 to $921, depending on the type, size, and condition of the furniture piece. A minor refinishing project may cost as low as $150, while a large, complex service may cost up to $1,500.

What is the difference between refurbish and refinish?

Refurbishing can transform a piece from a worn-out item to a functional and aesthetically pleasing piece. Remember, refinishing focuses on restoring the appearance of a piece of furniture, while refurbishing addresses both appearance and structural issues.

What is the average lifespan of a couch?

While the average sofa should last between 7 and 15 years, signs of wear and tear are likely to appear before then – especially if it's a well-loved sofa.

What is the best furniture for dogs?

There's a wide range of materials that might suit your needs as a dog or cat owner, from scratch-resistant to hair-repelling fabrics. Leather, tightly woven fabrics, microfiber, velvet, outdoor fabrics and slipcovers are all options pet owners should consider.

What are the best times of year to buy furniture?

That means the best time of year to buy indoor furniture is toward the end of winter (January and February) or the end of summer (August and September). Retailers will be discounting their old stock during these months to make room for the new styles.

Is $2000 too much for a couch?

So here's your first tip: anything under $699 is considered an inexpensive sofa. $799–$1,999 is the average you'll pay for one sofa. Any sofa within the $2,000–$3,000 is considered “higher-end”.

Is it cheaper to buy a new or reupholster?

There isn't much difference in cost between reupholstering and buying new furniture unless you're DIYing the former. Supplying your own materials and reupholstering a piece on your own will cut in half what you'd typically pay a pro.

How to tell if furniture is high-quality?

Joint construction is the main determinant of quality furniture. Anything held together with staples or nails is shoddy construction. Ditto if it's glued and you can see the glue. Dowels (wooden pegs slotted into two opposing holes) are good, as are screws.

When should you not refinish antique furniture?

How To Know When Not to Refinish an Antique?
  1. If your antique's finish is in great shape, there are hardly any dings or dents, or you enjoy how it looks. ...
  2. If you recognize the piece is mostly veneer over wood. ...
  3. Suppose the piece is made from rarer wood fragments, like mahogany.

What is the most sought after piece of furniture?

The most expensive piece of furniture ever sold at auction is The Badminton Chest, a huge, lavishly decorated piece of Italian craftsmanship, which sold for a whopping £19m at Christie's London in 2004. The monumental cabinet was commissioned by Henry Somerset, 3rd Duke of Beaufort in 1726.

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