Furniture restoration involves cleaning and minor cosmetic repairs to restore a piece of furniture to its original condition or as close to it as possible. In some cases, restoration may involve refinishing, but the end goal is still to make the furniture look like it did when it was brand-new. Refinishing furniture involves stripping and sanding away the existing finish and then applying a new finish like polyurethane, which may make the item look quite different from the original condition.

The cost to refinish wood furniture ranges widely, depending on the size and type of furniture. Here’s what you can expect to pay to refinish the following wood furniture items:

• Table: $150–$700

• Dining chair: $100–$400

• Rocking chair: $200–$500

• Bar stool: $100–$250

• China cabinet or armoire: $500–$3,500

• Dining set: $1,000–$3,000

• Coffee table: $150–$800

• Dresser: $300–$2,000

• Bed: $350–$2,000

• Pool table: $300–$600

• Kitchen cabinets: $1,800–$5,000

The cost to refinish a dresser ranges from $300 to $2,000 on average, depending on the dresser’s size, material, and detail. If you need to repair the dresser before refinishing it, you can expect that service to cost extra. While it’s possible to restore and refinish antique furniture yourself, we recommend hiring a professional furniture refinisher to maintain the integrity of vintage and heirloom pieces. That way, you have the peace of mind of knowing that your dresser will receive professional-grade restoration.