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How to Restore Old Furniture: A Beginner's Guide
A beginner's guide to restoring old wood furniture: assess, clean, repair joints, then decide whether to strip, sand, stain or protect the finish.
Furniture restoration
Bring old wood furniture back, one careful step at a time.
Practical guides to stripping, sanding, staining, painting and repairing wood furniture, from antique tables and cane chairs to kitchen cabinets.
98 in-depth guides 8 topics Nov 2026 latest guide
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Each one links on to more specific articles in its topic.
Antique Furniture Restoration: How to Restore Old Wood Without Ruining It
Learn how to restore antique wood furniture safely: check value first, clean and revive the finish, repair joints and veneer, and strip only as a last resort.
Restoring Mid-Century Teak Furniture: Nathan, Fler and More
Restore mid-century teak furniture from makers such as Nathan and Fler: identify the construction, test the finish, clean, repair, and refinish with care.
Wood Furniture Repair: Fixing Cracks and Other Damage
Learn how to identify and repair cracks, splits, dents, chips, loose joints and rot in wood furniture, and which guide to follow for each type of damage.
How to Restore an Old Chair: Ideas and Techniques
Restore an old chair step by step: check the damage, fix loose joints, repair the seat, refinish safely, and know when a makeover fits better.
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Restoring and Refinishing
Stripping, sanding and refinishing wood, with guides for antiques and teak.
Restoration Basics Where to start: cleaning, sanding grits, stripping varnish, restaining and the tools you need. 16 guides Antique Furniture How to restore antiques without hurting their value, from shellac and French polish to woodworm. 10 guides Teak Furniture Cleaning, oiling and repairing mid-century and outdoor teak pieces. 4 guides
Repairs
Fixing cracks, scratches, veneer, loose joints and worn chair seats.
Painting Furniture
Choosing paint and primer and getting a smooth or distressed finish on wood.
Kitchen Cabinets
Painting and refinishing cabinets, including chalk and milk paint options.