How To Protect Antique Furniture From Damage

Farmhouse chic, rustic cabin, boho, cottagecore. As different as these aesthetic trends are, they have one thing in common: they each involve vintage furniture pieces, whether that’s an old farmer’s market sign or a Victorian-era wardrobe.

However, the term “antique” can give some homeowners pause. The word calls to mind something valuable and delicate, like a functional museum artifact. The easiest way to relieve this anxiety is learning how to protect antique furniture from damage.

Use Strategy When Moving Pieces

Protecting antique furniture from damage begins before you’ve even left the shop or estate sale. A lot can happen as you move the piece from the display to the car and from the car to the building. Keep your pieces safe along the way.

• Take removable pieces like drawers off of furniture and move them separately
• Wrap pieces in plastic or bubble wrap
• Protect corners with Styrofoam or plastic containers
• Secure doors shut
• Avoid dragging furniture when possible

Make sure you have a game plan. Planning out your route from the car to the house will help you get the items to their new home without harming them.

Pay Attention to Where You Put Them

Even sitting in your home, furniture can suffer damage depending on the space. Certain environmental factors can wear down antiques, so you must avoid them. This includes:

• Bright and direct sun exposure
• Extreme temperatures
• High humidity
• Excessive dust and dirt

You’ll also need to keep an eye on living factors, such as people and pets, when it comes to antiques. Avoid putting furniture in common walkways, rooms where children play, or spaces with pets.

Refinish Furniture Pieces

When you work with antiques, you may want to leave them in the condition in which you found them. However, you can consider adding a top coat of varnish. Varnish enhances and preserves the original colors of the piece while adding a protective layer that will protect it from scuffs and scratches.

Antiques make a great addition to any aesthetic. If you want to keep them looking great without dumping damaging VOCs into your home’s air, ECOS Paints has high-quality, zero VOC* varnish perfect for your antiques.

Zero VOC - Conforms to CDPH 01350 (VOC emissions test taken at 11, 12, & 14 days for classroom & office use).