People use “restoration” and “refinishing” like they mean the same thing. Sometimes they do. But most of the time, they don’t — and knowing the difference can save you money, protect the value of your piece, and help you set the right expectations before you start.

Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

Refinishing is about the surface. Restoration is about the whole piece.

What refinishing actually means

Refinishing is focused on appearance and finish condition. It usually includes some combination of:

• Stripping or sanding the old finish

• Correcting discoloration, water rings, scratches, or haze

• Re-staining (or not) depending on the look you want

• Applying a new protective topcoat

Refinishing makes sense when the piece is structurally sound and you’re mainly trying to improve how it looks and how well it’s protected.

A good refinish should still respect the furniture’s character. It shouldn’t look “plastic,” overly glossy, or brand new if the piece isn’t meant to feel that way.

What restoration actually means

Restoration is broader. It’s about making the piece right again — not just prettier.

That may include refinishing, but it also addresses:

• Loose joints and wobbly frames

• Broken drawer slides or sagging drawer bottoms

• Veneer lifting, chipping, or missing sections

• Water damage, warped components, or splits

• Missing hardware or incorrect replacement parts

• Old repairs that failed (or were done poorly)

Restoration is what you want when the piece needs to be functional, stable, and safe for everyday use.

So… which one does your piece need?

Here are a few quick signs:

You likely need refinishing if:

• The piece is solid and steady

• The finish is scratched, dull, or stained

• Drawers function normally

• No major veneer issues exist

You likely need restoration if:

• Anything wobbles, rocks, or flexes

• Drawers stick, rack, or sag

• Veneer is bubbling, lifting, or missing

• There’s obvious water damage or cracking

• Hardware is missing or the wrong style was added later

The most common mistake we see

People often refinish a piece that should have been restored first.

That’s how you end up with something that looks great… but still doesn’t work. Or worse: a fresh finish that gets damaged again because the structure underneath is still failing.

What we recommend

If you’re not sure, start with one simple question:

Do you want it to look better — or do you need it to last another 30 years?

We can help you decide quickly with a few photos and a short description of what’s not working.

-> Have a piece you’re unsure about? Send us photos of the full piece, close-ups of damage, and a quick note on what you want it to do (daily use, display, resale, heirloom). We’ll point you in the right direction.