How Much Does It Cost to Refinish, Restore, or Paint Furniture?

Furniture Refinishing Cost per Item

The average cost to refinish furniture is around $100 to $700 per item, depending on the age, condition, size, and type of furniture. Unlike restoring furniture to match its original construction, refinishing involves stripping the original or former finish and giving the furniture a new look.

Cost to Refinish a Table

A basic table costs $150 to $600 to refinish. The process is typically the same regardless of condition, and price changes only based on size. For any wooden table, the process involves stripping the old finish and applying a new final coat.

Dining Chair Refinishing 

The range of $100 to $400 to recover a single chair includes stripping it and potentially adding new upholstery. The cost to reupholster a dining chair is typically $50 to $250.

Rocking Chair

The cost of refinishing a rocking chair ranges between $200 and $500 because it is more complex than a basic dining seat. The cost range remains the same whether the chair is wicker or wood.

Bar Stool

Expect to pay between $100 and $250 to refinish a bar stool. Anything more detailed than a basic construction will increase your price. If you want to get multiple stools refinished simultaneously, your contractor may offer a discount.

China Cabinet or Armoire

A china cabinet or armoire costs between $500 and $3,500 to refinish. These pieces are among the most complex constructions of furniture in your home and will require more labor hours. Costs increase for antique pieces and complex designs with many curves and edges.

Refinish Dining Table Set

Expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 to refresh a dining table and chairs set. Keep in mind that this is not an additional cost on top of the individual item prices. Instead, the professional furniture refinishing service will likely provide discounts based on how the items fit together, and how many of them can be done at once. 

If you need to refinish a dining room set, including chairs, table, and china cabinet, ask for a quote for the entire set to get a discount. Adding the china cabinet will bring the cost to $3,000 to $6,000.

Coffee Table

Expect to pay $150 to $800 for stripping and applying new finishing to your coffee table. If you have a metal table, that might include the cost of sandblasting to strip and powder coating, which falls within that same price range.

Dresser 

It will cost between $300 and $2,000 to refinish your dresser or bedroom dresser set. As with other wooden furniture, the process involves stripping old finishing and applying a new coat. A small dresser is simple, while an entire set costs more and will take longer.

Bed

If your bed has poles or a wooden headboard, it might need refinishing, which costs $350 to $2,000. Most beds will fall on the lower end of that scale, but some antique frames are more expensive to refinish.

Pool Table Refinishing

Refinishing your pool table, which includes new felt and updated wood sealing, will range between $300 and $600. It's a necessary step to ensure it functions well and serves as a good showpiece. The use of specialized tools and expertise to get the surface just right typically requires a professional.

Kitchen Cabinets

The cost to refinish your kitchen cabinets ranges between $1,800 and $4,100. As with similar projects, this process allows you to change the look and feel of your entire kitchen without the cost to insert new cabinets, which costs an average of $5,450. The quality of the materials and number of units are the major price factors.

Furniture Refinishing Cost by Method

Furniture is made up of various materials, from wood to metal to fabric. Different materials are refinished in different ways, varying in cost.

Sealing

Sealing, which is often used in addition to staining, costs $80 to $300 per item. This process involves applying a sealant before the finishing stain to provide an even, smooth surface for the stain. It also prevents the stain from bleeding.

Furniture Stripping

The stripping part of the furniture refinishing process costs between $100 and $500. It's a way to take off the old paint on metal and wooden structures. Be mindful that some experts recommend against furniture stripping because the chemicals can be harsh and damaging, especially on older furniture. Consult a professional furniture refinisher before attempting this project.

Staining

Expect to pay between $150 and $500 per item to stain your furniture. It's a common alternative to paint in that it penetrates the wood, which gives it more protection even if you keep the original color. You may want to budget an additional $80 to $300 for sealing before applying a stain.

Refacing

Refacing is common for cabinets, armoires, and dressers, and it costs $300 to $800. It involves stripping the front or face of the object, sanding it down, and adding a new stain or paint. 

Reupholstering

Furniture reupholstery costs an average of $370 and $1,110 and involves fixing or replacing cushions or fabrics on a piece of furniture. For this project, a single chair or stool can cost around $50, while reupholstering a sectional couch may cost as much as $4,000.

Antique Furniture Restoration Costs

Antique furniture items cost about $1,000 to $5,000 per piece to restore properly. Restoration typically includes making seamless repairs, restoring the piece to its original condition. This service is especially common for older items with sentimental or tangible value due to their age. Antique items require specialized expertise and delicate care, which can increase the cost of standard refinishing rates by up to 50%.

Depending on the period and condition of the object, you might need to ship it across the country to a repair expert with the proper equipment to handle the project. Special care is necessary to ensure the item isn’t accidentally damaged. You should consider hiring an  appraiser to estimate its value before making any restoration plans. 

Cost of Furniture Painting by Type 

Repainting a piece of furniture costs $80 to $800, depending on the size and type of furniture. A simple side table or dining chair will likely be on the lower end of the cost range, while repainting a dresser or armoire will be more expensive.

Furniture Paint Prices

Furniture paint costs about $20 to $50 per quart. One quart of paint covers about 100 square feet, enough for a piece of furniture even with two coats. 

Your contractor will recommend satin or semi-gloss oil-based or latex paint for painting wooden items. Make sure the primer matches the type of paint you choose. For metal furniture, go with oil-based or enamel paints to adhere to the surface and avoid future peeling. 

Custom Furniture Painting

Painting labor will cost $50 to $500. Most professional furniture painters charge $40 to $60 per hour. Custom paint jobs of antique pieces can range higher in price.

Powder Coating or Electrostatic Painting

The price of powder coating or electrostatic painting metal furniture ranges from $340 to $1,020. Both processes use electric charges to merge the paint to the metal. Powder coating requires baking in a specialized oven, while pros using electrostatic techniques cure the pieces onsite. 

Powder coating is an alternative to paint. It's more expensive, but it also tends to last longer and protect the material better.

Wood Furniture Finishing Cost Factors

Wood furnishings can cost $100 to over $3,800 to refinish. The type of furniture is the biggest factor in how much you should budget for this project, but there are several factors that can impact the cost. Additional factors to consider for wood furniture refinishing costs include:

• The choice between refinishing, restoring, or painting

• Additional repairs

• Furniture size and potential quantity discounts

• Material used for upholstery and similar projects

• Detail work

Extent of Damage

Restoring usually begins by performing any necessary repairs, like replacing broken or cracked pieces, fixing peeling veneer or paint, gluing loose parts, or removing stains. The more damage it has, the higher you can expect to pay.

Size

Larger pieces will have higher finishing costs than smaller objects. It will take longer, and it will also require more materials to complete the job. A small chair or side table may cost $80 to $100 to paint or refinish, while an armoire or a set of kitchen cabinets will be more expensive.

Finish

Once your furniture is sanded and repaired, you might opt to change the finish to match a new design. Its look and feel can be drastically changed by repainting or staining. Painting may cost less, since staining often involves the cost of both sealing and staining.

DIY Vs. Hiring a Furniture Refinisher Near You

The average cost to refinish a furniture piece is $625, and about 50% to85% of the cost goes toward labor. A professional furniture refinisher charges $40 to $100 per hour. However, refinishing furniture pieces yourself will require you to purchase or rent the right tools.

FAQs

How much does a pro charge for refinishing or restoring furniture?

Furniture professionals charge about $40 to $100 an hour to refinish or restore furniture, plus the cost of materials.

How much do wood furniture repairs cost?

Budget around $110 to $260 for the cost of wood furniture repairs, but major repairs could cost as much as $500. Find wood furniture repair experts near you for a specific estimate.

What’s the difference between refinishing and refurbishing furniture?

Refinishing involves stripping and sanding down the wood and then sealing it again. This option is best for furniture that needs a lot of work done.

Refurbishing furniture takes a gentler approach than refinishing or restoration for smaller issues, including cleaning the piece to remove dirt and wax buildup, then light sanding and touch-up on stain or paint. This option is more affordable, but it is only applicable to pieces with light wear and tear.

Where can I get my furniture repainted?

Your first step should be finding furniture painters near you. Look for professionals who specialize in the material and type of piece you need painted. Then, show them the item or pictures of the item to get a price estimate.

How much does it cost to reupholster a sofa or repair or restore a couch?

The price for upholstery on your couch ranges between $370 and $4,000. The exact cost largely depends on the fabric type, size of the furniture, and necessary repairs. If the cushion material underneath also needs to be restored, expect a project cost range between $500 and $2,000.

Is it better to sand or strip furniture?

Sanding or stipping is a common debate when it comes to furniture refinishing. If you have DIY experience, you can safely strip the furniture without damaging it, which can be more efficient than sanding. But many experts caution against this method, especially for older furniture items.