Caring For Antique Furniture: Three Tips To Keep Your Items Looking Great
ShareAntique furniture requires special care, and if you've received furniture from an inheritance or found a piece while shopping at antique stores, you'll want to know how to maintain these items. With the right restoration and care, your antique furniture can last for years to come. Here are a few tips you can use to restore and maintain your antique furniture:
Hire A Specialty Furniture Restoration Expert
Whether your furniture has small scratches and scuffs or it has rings from coffee cups, a specialty furniture repair expert can repair the damage for you. For items that have excessive issues, such as missing chair rungs, look for a specialty furniture restoration company that uses period-specific hardware and tools to get the desired look for replacement parts. Ask to see before and after pictures for projects similar to yours so you can gauge the quality of the craftsmanship you can expect.
Protect The Surfaces
For tables, dressers and other furnishings, protect the surface with table runners or doilies. This can help to prevent further scratches, and it can also shield the items from dust and dirt. Avoid using oils to polish wood surfaces, as they can discolor the finish rather than protect it. Use a protective wax, and dust the surfaces with a soft, dry cloth. Your furniture restoration expert can provide additional guidance to help you protect the surfaces once your restoration work is complete.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Antique furniture can become damaged when exposed to extreme temperatures or fluctuations in humidity. This is particularly true for wood furniture. Make sure that the rooms your antique furnishings are located in are climate controlled, and use a dehumidifier during muggy weather to prevent the wood from rotting. It's also a good idea to keep antique furniture away from direct sunlight, so move your items away from windows and avoid directing lamp light directly onto the furnishings. Exposure to the hot sun or warm lamps can damage the finish of your furnishings, and prolonged exposure to light can cause the paint or wood coloring to fade over time.
If you have furnishings stored away in a self-storage unit, basement, or attic, be sure to keep the items covered with a soft canvas cloth. Run a dehumidifier in the basement to protect the furnishings from exposure to moisture, and if you choose a self-storage unit, opt for one that is climate-controlled. Your furniture restoration expert can help you to prepare your items for storage so they stay protected from dirt, dust, and damage.