Everything ages – even objects that have no life like your furniture will start showing signs of aging after a few years. As a homeowner, your natural instinct would be to perform restorative work on your furniture. But what if those pieces are already considered antique? You might want to rethink your decision to get some work done on them. This is because when done incorrectly, restorations on antique furniture can actually decrease or even destroy their value.

Unless you are highly knowledgeable about antiques and you can identify which pieces can be restored and which ones need to be preserved as is, you should first read this post before proceeding:

Do Your Antique Pieces Need a Restoration?

You might have heard of stories about antique owners losing the value of their prized pieces because they got them restored. That happens for sure, so you should be extra careful before and know that ultimately, it boils down to the particular piece that you own.

Consider Its Value

Here’s what you should know: it’s less about what type of furniture or object it is and more about how valuable it is. There are some pieces that are considered museum-quality because they are crafted by famous artisans and they are more valuable when unrestored. The value of such pieces will significantly decrease if altered in any way. They’re not about how they look or whether they’ll be functional. It’s about the value of the work performed by the artist to make it.

That said, many antique furniture items can also benefit from restoration, especially if it can bring out the beauty of the piece or make it more useful. Because it’s hard to determine whether restoration is a good idea or not, it’s best to have the piece appraised by a professional to know if restorative work will impact its value.

Determine the Extent of Damage

A table with a surface that is faded and stained is different from one that has missing legs or is starting to rot due to water damage. Remember that the purpose of restoration is to bring the furniture piece as close to its original form and state as possible. However, the extent of the damage should also be factored in. If they’re just minor damages – chips, scratches, stains, spots, fading, it’s best to leave them alone, especially since they are just cosmetic flaws. There are, however, some pieces that are truly damaged that it makes perfect sense to restore.

Know the Risk

You have to understand that restoration projects always come with risks. So if you’re thinking about restoring a piece that you value a lot, whether or not its market value is high, you should consider how the process of restoration can change your piece for better or worse. It is quite common for antique pieces to get destroyed by the very process that’s supposed to bring them back to their former glory.

To Restore or Not to Restore? – That Is the Question

As you can see, you shouldn’t just decide to restore an antique piece on a whim. There are some considerations that you need to make. You have to think about the value of the item (monetary and sentimental) as well as the extent of the damage. You should also keep in mind that there’s always a risk of the piece being negatively impacted by the restoration. Unless you are an expert on antiques, it’s best to consult with trusted antique dealers in Adelaide who can help you decide whether or not restoration is a good idea.

Calier Antiques and Restorations is your best source for antique furniture in Adelaide. You can also take your prized antique pieces to us so we can determine if restoration is your best option. We can even do the restoration for you! Contact us today to find out about our services and our unique antique pieces!