Furniture conservator/restorer

Furniture conservators or restorers combine their practical furniture skills with conservation expertise to protect or restore pieces of furniture for future generations

You'll use practical and scientific techniques to preserve and care for antique and modern furniture. You may also advise on storage, handling and long-term protection.

The relationship between conservation and restoration is complex and depends on the purpose and utility of the piece. Conservation focuses on preserving the original structure and materials of a piece, often through minimal intervention, to prevent further deterioration. It may include procedures such as cleaning, environmental control, stabilising the original materials and ensuring correct storage.

Restoration may involve more extensive work to return an item to its original condition, such as removing signs of wear and tear, reconstructing missing pieces or removing bits that have been added later.

The approach taken depends on the condition, value and intended use of the object.

Responsibilities

Activities vary depending on whether you're restoring or conserving the piece of furniture. However, as a furniture conservator or restorer, you'll typically need to:

• liaise with clients or employers to discuss and agree on the conservation or restoration of a piece of furniture
• assess the condition of the item to determine the work involved and appropriate treatment methods
• estimate the time and cost required, taking into account its historical, functional or commercial value
• take photographs and keep detailed records of each item's condition, components, distinctive features and treatment before and after work
• communicate treatment plans clearly, including potential risks, limitations and outcomes
• research the historical background, construction techniques and materials of furniture to inform treatment decisions
• source appropriate materials for conservation and restoration work
• combine specialist knowledge of furniture history and materials with practical techniques to protect and prolong its life
• carry out preventative conservation, applying measures to protect furniture from environmental, biological and human factors
• use a range of practical and traditional skills, such as cabinet making, French polishing, wood turning and carving, marquetry, gilding, veneering, inlay work and upholstering
• document all interventions in line with professional ethical standards
• provide aftercare advice on storage, display and handling to clients, owners or employers
• manage workshop safety, including safe handling of tools, chemicals and dust control
• keep up to date with new research, equipment and conservation techniques through continuing professional development (CPD)
• promote and manage your own services, including marketing and finances, if you're self-employed.

Salary

• According to The Institute of Conservation (Icon), salaries for conservators at the beginning of their career typically range from £25,483 to £32,000 (median £30,389).
• As a middle-ranking conservator, you can expect to earn between £35,885 and £46,704 (median £39,100). This rises to between £42,185 and £52,000 (median £48,103) for senior conservator roles.
• Icon recommends that these are minimum salary expectations. Based on their salary benchmarking, they recommend the following starting points for conservator salaries: early career - £32,000, mid-career - £46,704 and senior professionals - £52,000.

Furniture restorer salaries vary depending on your location, type of employer and contract, the focus of your work, as well as your skills, experience and level of responsibility.

If you're self-employed or working on a freelance basis, you'll need to promote your own work and build a network of contacts.

Income data from Icon (2025). Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are usually Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm if you're employed. You may have to put in extra hours to meet project deadlines.

Self-employed conservators/restorers may work more flexibly, including evenings or weekends, depending on client needs.

What to expect

• Many furniture conservators and restorers are self-employed, often specialising in a particular type or period of furniture.
• You'll typically work in a studio or workshop, either alone or sharing space with other professionals. You may do some on-site work for clients, museums or historic properties, for example.
• You may need to wear protective clothing when carrying out conservation or restoration.
• Most furniture conservators and restorers remain in the same job for long periods. There are low levels of movement from one job to another. Furniture conservation and restoration is often a second or third career.
• The work may involve local travel to view and collect pieces of furniture, but overnight travel is uncommon. You may have the opportunity to work on furniture conservation or restoration projects abroad.

Qualifications

Entry into furniture conservation and restoration is competitive, and almost all conservators, and many restorers, gain a relevant qualification before starting work. Some major museums offer internship schemes that include furniture conservation, which are useful for gaining practical experience.

You can enter the field through a degree in conservation, although most courses focus on fine art or archaeological objects. However, West Dean College offers a Graduate Diploma and Masters in Conservation Studies with a specialism in furniture and related objects.

Alternatively, a degree, HND or foundation degree in subjects such as product and furniture design, furniture design and making, craft practices (furniture), or art and design (craft) can be useful, especially when combined with practical experience of furniture restoration or further study in furniture-related conservation.

Another entry route is via a furniture apprenticeship, offering on-the-job training in areas such as upholstery, cabinet making or furniture restoration. Relevant Level 3 apprenticeships include:

• bespoke furniture maker
• furniture restorer
• advanced upholsterer.

Search for an apprenticeship. You could then go on to develop your skills in furniture restoration or conservation.

Short courses and workshops are also available through relevant professional associations such as The British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association (BAFRA), as well as through colleges, private providers and adult education centres. These range from a few days to one-year diploma courses.

Before enrolling, check course content carefully to ensure it aligns with your career goals.

Search for furniture courses and training opportunities at Your Furniture Career.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent practical skills and technical ability to carry out detailed and delicate work
• a combination of artistic judgement and scientific understanding
• strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly when explaining complex treatment processes
• patience, focus and a methodical approach to problem-solving
• self-motivation and the ability to manage an independent workload
• strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• research skills, including the ability to investigate the history, materials and techniques of a piece
• strong attention to detail
• a flexible and adaptable approach to work, especially when responding to client needs or unexpected challenges
• perseverance, commitment and a genuine interest in historic furniture and conservation/restoration
• administrative and IT skills, including documentation and image recording
• marketing, networking and self-promotion skills, if self-employed
• awareness of health and safety regulations and workshop best practices.

You'll also need good manual dexterity, for handling sometimes fragile pieces of furniture and using a range of specialist conservation tools, and good colour perception.

Work experience

You'll need hands-on experience to develop your practical skills and build a portfolio to show prospective employers or clients. There are several ways to gain this experience.

Paid internship opportunities, for example, are sometimes available through the Icon Internship Programme (IIP). National museums, heritage organisations and historic properties may also offer paid internships or work-based placements. Look out for opportunities in furniture conservation and restoration.

You can also look for voluntary opportunities with local museums and galleries to build your knowledge and skills. Some charities, such as the British Heart Foundation, may have opportunities to repair and restore donated furniture for resale.

If you're taking an apprenticeship in an area such as furniture making or restoring, you'll combine paid work with part-time study, gaining practical skills on the job.

Contact local professional furniture conservators or restorers to enquire about work shadowing or studio visits. For contacts in your area, see BAFRA's list of accredited members.

Becoming a student member of Icon or an associate student of BAFRA, and attending conferences and events, can help you make new contacts and learn more about the profession.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Furniture conservators and restorers work with public and private collections, conservation studios, museums and commercial restoration businesses. Most jobs are based in larger cities or heritage-rich regions.

Typical employers include:

• antique dealers and auction houses
• furniture conservation and restoration companies
• high-end retailers and furniture manufacturers
• historic properties, such as stately homes, and heritage organisations
• insurance companies (for restoration assessments)
• interior designers and architectural conservation practices
• national and regional museums
• private clients and collectors
• universities with historic collections.

Permanent positions are highly competitive and most often found in large museums, national heritage organisations or well-established conservation businesses. Contractual or project-based work is more common and is typically tied to grants, funding or the refurbishment of historic properties.

The majority of furniture conservators and restorers are self-employed or freelance, working for members of the public and other clients who require specialist skills to protect and preserve individual pieces of furniture. Building up a client base and reputation is vital when working for yourself.

Look for job vacancies at:

• BAFRA
• English Heritage
• Historic Environment Scotland
• Icon
• Museums Association (MA) - you need to register to view jobs.
• Museum Jobs
• National Trust
• National Trust for Scotland

The websites of stately homes and auction houses may also have vacancies.

Speculative applications and networking are also important, especially for freelance and work experience opportunities.

Professional development

There's no formal training route into furniture conservation, and most learning takes place on the job. You can gain practical experience through internships or by working as an assistant to an experienced conservator. Some museums or heritage sites may offer specialist training focused on furniture from specific periods, and you may choose to specialise in a particular style or technique.

Becoming a member of a professional body such as BAFRA or Icon can help you develop your professional reputation. BAFRA offers membership at various levels, including Accredited BAFRA Membership for experienced restorers, along with access to educational events and a network of professionals.

With experience, you can apply for Icon Accreditation to become an Accredited Conservator-Restorer (ACR). Achieving ACR shows that you've got a high degree of competence, as well as in-depth knowledge of the principles underpinning conservation practice. Once accredited, you can join Icon's Conservation Register.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is an essential part of becoming and remaining accredited. CPD activities can include:

• attending courses, conferences and seminars
• getting involved in specialist groups and networks
• teaching and training.

Icon provides advice on training and CPD and has a directory of short courses and events. There may be grants available to support training and CPD. They also have a specialist group for conservators working with furniture and wooden objects.

Career prospects

There is no set progression route for most furniture restorers and conservators. However, experienced conservators and restorers working in a business, museum or heritage environment may progress to a supervisory, management or training role.

Many experienced furniture conservators and restorers go on to set up their own businesses, carrying out work for private individuals or organisations, or work on a consultancy basis for museums and stately homes.

Initially, you may find attracting customers a challenge as it takes time to establish a reputation and build up a client base. It may be worthwhile working for a private company first and developing experience in dealing with customers, as well as building up useful contacts.

There is usually little mobility within the industry, which may slow down career progression.

Specialising in a particular area of furniture restoration, such as upholstery or marquetry, or a particular period can help you progress. Gaining expert status through Icon accreditation can also help your career prospects.

There may also be opportunities to teach in further or adult education colleges or at higher education institutions.