Furniture Restorer
What is the work like?
Furniture restorers preserve and restore modern and antique furniture. Conservation involves making sure that items keep their original features. Restoration may involve using new materials to protect and update existing features.
Your work as a furniture restorer could range from simple tasks such as re-gluing parts which have fallen off, to completely rebuilding a piece of furniture including making missing components. Your tasks would typically include:
- deciding on the best way to conserve or restore the piece of furniture
- agreeing with the client the work to be done
- sourcing materials
- keeping photographic and written records of projects
- using techniques such as woodturning, veneering and marquetry (designs using small pieces of inlaid wood)
- mixing and applying colours and stains
- gilding, polishing and upholstering
- keeping up to date with developments in equipment and techniques
- providing specialist information to colleagues and the public.
You may specialise in furniture of a particular type or period.
As a self-employed restorer you would also have to market your work and deal with the administrative and financial tasks involved in running a business.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
As a starting point to learning furniture restoration techniques, you could do college courses leading to qualifications such as City and Guilds 5610 level 1 and 2 Certificates in Making and Installing Furniture ().
However, many furniture restorers have a degree, foundation degree or BTEC HND. Relevant subjects include:
- furniture restoration
- furniture studies
- furniture design
- 3-D design
- art and design.
Entry requirements for courses vary, so you should check with individual colleges and universities. Courses also vary in the amount of practical work they include, so it is important to research the content of courses to check that they meet your needs.
To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (link opens new window).
Visit the British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association (BAFRA) and the Institute of Conservation (IOC) websites for lists of the courses each organisation recognises.
What further training and development can I do?
You would need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career.
If you work for a museum or heritage site you may be provided with specialist training, and there may be opportunities to focus on particular types or periods of furniture.
You may be able to work towards NVQ Level 3 in Making and Repairing Handcrafted Furniture.
Joining professional bodies such as the IOC, BAFRA or the Guild of Master Craftsmen will give you opportunities for networking, professional development, and a way of showing potential clients that you work to set quality standards.
As a member of IOC you can join their Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PACR) scheme. This is a professional membership qualification which would accredit your professional ability against set standards.
Completing the scheme could help your chances of finding work, as your details will be listed in the IOC register, which can be used by organisations and members of the public who are looking for reputable conservation or restoration services.
You can join BAFRA at different levels depending on your experience. For full membership you will need:
- a degree recognised by BAFRA
- at least four years’ experience
- membership of the BAFRA student section.
See the BAFRA, IOC or the Guild of Master Craftsmen websites for membership details.
Where can I go for more information?
24 Calvin StreetLondon
E1 6NW
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1XU
Tel: 01273 478449
Downstream Building
1 London Bridge
London
SE1 9BG
Tel: 020 7785 3807
The Old Rectory
Warmwell
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 8HQ
Tel: 01305 854822
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Furniture restorers can earn between £20,000 and £40,000 a year.
Earnings for self-employed furniture restorers vary depending on the amount of work they have.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your hours would vary, especially if you are self-employed, as you would arrange your own working day depending on the amount of work you have.
You would usually be workshop-based, working alone or alongside other restorers, although you may do some of your work on site. You may need to travel to visit clients, and collect and deliver furniture.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good practical skills
- knowledge of technical processes and equipment
- a patient and methodical approach
- close attention to detail
- artistic and scientific interests and ability
- knowledge of furniture and its history
- an understanding why and how furniture deteriorates
- an interest in research
- good communication skills, with the ability to explain sometimes complex issues to clients
- customer service skills.
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed as a furniture restorer by organisations such as museums, auction houses, historical or heritage sites and antique dealers. Competition for jobs is strong.
You could set up your own furniture restoration business, carrying out work for organisations and members of the public, or working on a consultancy basis for the kind of organisation listed above.
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