If you have carpentry or upholstery skills, you might want to consider becoming a furniture restorer to put them to use. Restoring furniture requires patience and skill, and you must be confident in your ability to complete such tasks. If you’re new to carpentry and don’t yet have the necessary skills to become a furniture restorer, find a professional who will let you do an apprenticeship with him or her. General carpentry and upholstering skills can get you on your way to a career as a furniture restorer without any specific experience.
If you’re starting out on your own, the road to becoming a furniture restorer may not be easy. It’s usually best to try to get a job with a restoration company that specializes in furniture restoration. You can learn the specific skills and knowledge you’ll need to work as a furniture restorer on your own there. Remember that there are no set requirements for education or experience to pursue a career in furniture restoration, so if you have a skill set that lends itself to the field, there’s nothing stopping you from doing small restoration jobs to get a feel for the process.
Because so much of furniture restoration is dedicated to the restoration of antiques, you may want to be familiar with antique furniture when you train to be a furniture restorer. This will assist you in avoiding costly mistakes during a restoration project, as well as gaining a customer base that trusts you and refers you to others. The more knowledge you retain, the better prepared you will appear to customers, who will be more likely to refer you to friends or colleagues.
Classes at a community college or technical college may be required for the rank beginner to prepare for a career as a furniture restorer. Carpentry classes are a must-have for any curriculum, as is familiarity with the tools of the trade. If your local community college does not offer carpentry or furniture restoration courses, look into local carpentry clubs or furniture specialists who might be able to assist you with the restoration process. It is best to gain as much practical experience as possible before diving into a career, so researching local clubs, businesses, and schools is a good first step.