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Furniture restorer

Alternative titles for this job include French polisher

Furniture restorers repair and conserve modern and antique pieces of furniture.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£32,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • art and design
  • furniture design
  • furniture restoration
  • product design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Subjects include:

  • furniture making
  • furniture finishing methods
  • T Level in Craft and Design

Some colleges and adult education centres run more informal courses in craft and restoration. Courses include topics like repair methods, staining, veneers and French polishing.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Furniture Finisher Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

You might also apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

  • Furniture Restorer
  • Advanced Upholsterer
  • Bespoke Furniture Maker

These apprenticeships can take between 2 and 3 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

If you have advanced skills from working in upholstery, furniture manufacture or carpentry you may be able to apply directly for jobs.

More Information

Career tips

You can do short courses in woodworking skills, restoration methods and French polishing through the British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association.

Short courses can give you an insight into the profession, and the type of skills required.

Further information

You can find out more about training and careers in furniture restoration and conservation through:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a furniture restorer, you could:

  • work out the best way to conserve or restore a piece of furniture
  • advise customers about restoration options
  • estimate prices and give quotes
  • use techniques like woodturning, veneering and marquetry
  • mix and apply colours and stains
  • re-upholster furniture, matching original patterns and fabrics
  • apply French polish and other finishes, like gilding, lacquer, paint, varnish, oil or wax
  • keep photographic and written records of the process

Working environment

You could work in a workshop or in a factory.

Your working environment may be dusty.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could set up your own furniture restoration business, carrying out work for organisations and the public. You could also work as a consultant for:

  • museums
  • historical or heritage sites
  • auction houses or antique dealers

You might wish to specialise in areas such as French polishing, upholstery or a particular period or style of furniture.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a furniture restorer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Furniture Design and Making Level 3 Diploma

  • Provider: CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Pulborough

Principles and Practice of Furniture Making City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 11 September 2025
  • Location: Oxford
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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