Is Heirloom Furniture Worth Restoring If It Isn't Worth a Lot of Money?

DIRECT ANSWER:

It can be. Monetary value is only one reason people restore furniture. A piece may be worth restoring because it is useful, well constructed, difficult to replace or connected to a person, place or family history that cannot be purchased again.

YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S TABLE DOESN'T NEED TO BE WORTH $10,000 TO BE WORTH SAVING.

MARKET VALUE AND PERSONAL VALUE ARE DIFFERENT

A professional appraisal may address market value.

It cannot measure:

Family history

Memories

Tradition

Emotional connection

ASK WHETHER YOU WOULD USE IT

Restoration may make more sense when the piece can return to:

Dining

Storage

Seating

Display

Everyday family use

ASK WHETHER IT CAN BE REPLACED

You can buy another dresser.

You cannot buy the dresser that stood in your grandparents' bedroom.

DON'T CONFUSE SENTIMENT WITH A FINANCIAL INVESTMENT

Restore a meaningful piece because preserving it makes sense to you.

Do not assume restoration creates investment value.

PASSING SOMETHING DOWN

A restored family piece may continue to carry its story into another generation.

Document that story.

Write down:

Who owned it

Where it came from

Approximate age if known

Important memories

Old photographs

Future family members may value the story as much as the furniture.