That piece of furniture sitting in your attic or passed down from your grandmother might be more than just a sentimental item. It could be a valuable asset waiting for a new lease on life. Many people wonder if it’s worth the effort to fix up an old dresser or dining table. The answer is often a resounding yes.
As a general rule, any piece of furniture in good condition that passes through two generations starts increasing in value.
A generation is typically about 20 to 25 years. This means that furniture from our parents’ and grandparents’ eras is now appreciating. Before you replace that dated-looking piece with a modern alternative, let’s explore why restoring it is often the smarter, more sustainable, and more valuable choice.
Have you noticed the term “retro” popping up in furniture stores? Manufacturers are trying to replicate the styles of past decades. However, these reproductions rarely match the originals in quality. The truth is, furniture will likely never again be made with the solid construction or high-quality materials used in pieces from previous generations.
As a company who has worked with furniture for years, we generally will not restore any piece less than 25 years old. Around that time, much of the industry shifted. Many manufacturers began building furniture with pressboard, sawdust mixed with glue, and inferior woods like poplar and rubberwood. We have witnessed the quality of mass-produced furniture decline to the point where it is often little more than firewood with a pretty finish. These pieces are designed to be disposable, not to last.
In contrast, older furniture was built to endure. The craftsmanship, design, and high-end woods used are simply not standard in today’s market.
When you’re deciding whether to restore a piece, it helps to know what signs of quality to look for. These details are what set true vintage items apart from their modern, mass-produced counterparts.
The most significant difference is the material. Older furniture is often made from solid hardwoods like oak, walnut, cherry, and mahogany. These woods are durable, strong, and can be sanded and refinished multiple times. You can identify solid wood by looking at the edge of a tabletop or drawer front. If the grain pattern wraps around from the top to the side, it’s likely solid wood.
Modern, cheaper furniture frequently uses pressboard or particleboard—wood particles glued together—covered with a thin layer of wood veneer or laminate. While this keeps costs down, these materials are easily damaged by moisture and cannot be repaired or refinished in the same way as solid wood.
How a piece of furniture is held together is another indicator of its quality. Look for traditional joinery techniques, which create strong, lasting bonds.
Newer, mass-produced items often rely on staples, screws, and glue, which can loosen and fail over time.
Choosing to restore an old piece of furniture offers several powerful benefits over buying new.
Not every old item is a hidden gem. Here’s a simple checklist to help you decide.
Consider Restoring If:
Consider Replacing If:
So treasure the furniture of your previous family generations. Restore it, Repair it, treat it with love. There will never again be any furniture produced with this fine woodworking, design and high end woods.
~ Best, Betty.