Antique Furniture vs. Modern Furniture: What’s Worth Repairing?

Many homeowners ask themselves, “Should I repair this, or just replace it?” when a piece of furniture breaks or ages. Whether your piece is current or old will determine the answer, among other things.We at Louisville Furniture Repair have worked on anything from expensive modern pieces to family antiques. When determining what is worth mending and what may not be, we advise our clients to do the following..

What Makes Furniture Modern or Antique?

Furniture made with solid hardwoods, hand-finished detailing, and traditional joinery that is over a century old is generally referred to as antique furniture.
Modern furniture includes mass-produced, mid-century modern, and contemporary pieces that are frequently constructed from composite or engineered wood.

When it comes to restoration and repair, each style has advantages and disadvantages.

Why It’s Often Worth Repairing Antique Furniture

Constructed to Last
Solid hardwoods like oak, cherry, walnut, or mahogany are commonly used to make antique furniture. These materials hold up well over time and can be repeatedly fixed or refinished without losing their integrity.
Antiques are distinctive and structurally sound because of their dovetail joints, mortise-and-tenon construction, and hand-carved features. These days, it is hard (and costly) to duplicate these methods.
Respect for Appreciation
Antiques, in contrast to the majority of contemporary furniture, have the potential to appreciate in value over time, particularly if they are well cared for or repaired by experts.

When Modern Furniture Is Worth Repairing

Not every piece of contemporary furniture is “disposable.” Some pieces might actually be worth keeping, particularly if they fit these requirements:

Premium Brands or Tailored Projects : Your modern furniture probably employs better materials (such as solid wood or real leather) and can be repaired more affordably if it was custom-built or bought from a designer brand.
Minimal Damage to the Structure : If the structure is still intact, it is frequently less expensive to repair a broken leg, polish blemishes, or reupholster a high-quality item than to purchase a new one.
An environmentally friendly choiceMany of our Louisville clients are very concerned about sustainable living, which is supported by repairing and restoring contemporary furniture.

How We Help You Decide

At Louisville Furniture Repair, we never recommend unnecessary work. Instead, we provide honest, expert assessments that help you make the right call. Our team evaluates:

Material and structural quality
Age and historical value
Emotional significance
Repair vs. replacement cost

Need help deciding whether your piece is worth saving?
Call Louisville Furniture Repair today or request a free quote and let our experienced team guide you.

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