When choosing between furniture restoration courses, it is important to first assess one's skill level, consider what one hopes to get out of the classes, and whether one wants to focus on a certain kind of restoration. Someone who has already done a number of restoration projects might want to consider more advanced courses or courses that focus on one specific aspect of restoration. Someone who is a novice at furniture restoration should take a course that is an introduction to the art. If the course is meant to be part of a continuing education program or is meant to be used for degree credits, make sure that the teacher and the school that offers the course meet one's academic needs and requirements.
There are dozens of kinds of furniture restoration courses. Some focus on basic repair and woodworking, while others focus on how to mend and restore old fabrics and upholstery. Be sure to make a list of the aspects of furniture restoration that one wants to learn about before researching the available courses. Then, before enrolling in a class, be sure to look at the course description to make certain that it covers at least a portion of the topics on one's list.
For those who are looking for furniture restoration courses that can lead to professional credentials, it is often best to begin by looking for schools that either specialize in this kind of restoration or have a certificate program that focuses on furniture restoration. There are programs that offer on-site training as well as programs that are based on distance-learning methods. Some are low-residency programs, which means that there are some on-site furniture restoration courses in addition to at-home study.
Be sure to consider whether materials and pieces of furniture will be supplied as part of the program. There are some furniture restoration courses in which students are asked to bring their own pieces of furniture or other kinds of antiques for refinishing. Others are willing to provide furniture on which students can practice. Students who are interested in going into business in the field should look for furniture restoration classes that offer information about the basic business practices in the field. Topics that are covered in these sorts of courses usually include information on how to price jobs, how to set up a workshop, and how to deal with suppliers.
