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- Spend your time restoring furniture using a range of specialist techniques
- You'll develop a range of technical and practical skills and will need patience and care
- Furniture restorers are often self-employed, so you may also need to learn how to manage a business
As a furniture restorer, your work will range from simple tasks like re-attaching parts that have come away, to completely rebuilding and finishing a piece of furniture, including making missing pieces. You may specialise in a particular type or period of furniture.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Working out the best way to conserve or restore a piece of furniture
- Advising customers on what work is needed and offering quotes
- Sourcing materials needed for a job
- Keeping photographic and written records
- Using techniques like woodturning, veneering and marquetry
- Mixing and applying colours and stains
- Gilding, polishing and upholstering items
- Keeping photographic and written records
- You'll need to keep up to date with developments in equipment and techniques
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
As a self-employed restorer, you would also have to promote your services. Your hours will vary, especially if you're self-employed. You'll usually be based at a workshop, working alone or alongside other restorers.
You may do some of your work on clients' sites. You may need to travel to clients to collect and deliver furniture.
You'll need
To be a furniture restorer, you'll need thoroughness and attention to detail, the ability to work well with others as well as on your own, persistence and determination, to work well with your hands, physical skills, and concentration skills.
You could do a college qualification in furniture making or furniture finishing methods.
You could also complete a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in art and design, furniture design, furniture restoration, or product design.
You could get into this job through an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in restoring furniture or advanced upholstery.
You can also do short courses in woodworking skills and restoration techniques through the British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association
CAREER PROSPECTS
You could set up your own furniture restoration business, carrying out work for organisations and members of the public, or work as a consultant for museums, auction houses, historical or heritage sites, or antique dealers.