top of page

Furniture Refinishing FAQs — A Labor of Love, Lakeland FL

Welcome to the A Labor of Love Furniture Refinishing FAQ page!
Here, you’ll find clear answers about our process, pricing, pickup and delivery, and everything in between. Whether you’re looking for furniture painting near me, furniture refinishing in Lakeland FL, or custom wood furniture restoration, this page covers it all.

IMG_3761.JPEG

What is furniture refinishing?

Furniture refinishing is the process of restoring and transforming old or worn pieces by removing the existing finish, repairing damage, and applying new paint, stain, or topcoat.
At A Labor of Love, refinishing can mean staining wood, painting furniture, or restoring vintage and antique pieces back to their original charm — depending on the customer’s vision.

What’s the difference between refinishing, restoration, and painting?

  • Refinishing – involves stripping off the old finish, sanding, repairing, and applying new stain or paint.

  • Restoration – focuses on bringing antique or vintage furniture back to its original state, often preserving patina and character.

  • Painting – involves prep, priming, and applying fresh coats of high-quality paint for a modern makeover.

We offer all three, so whether you need furniture painting Lakeland FL or wood furniture restoration near me, we’ll tailor the process to your piece.

What types of furniture do you work on?

We refinish and restore a wide variety of wood furniture, including:

  • Dressers and nightstands

  • Dining tables and chairs

  • Coffee tables and consoles

  • Desks and vanities

  • Antique cabinets and buffets

  • MCM and vintage pieces

We also offer simple furniture repairs like drawer slide fixes, wood filling, and gluing joints — plus chair reupholstering for dining sets.

Do you paint kitchen cabinets or built-ins?

While our specialty is furniture refinishing, we occasionally take on small cabinet projects depending on the scope and schedule.
If you’re local to Lakeland, Plant City, or Polk County, feel free to send photos when booking your estimate, and we’ll let you know if your project is a fit.

Do you work on antiques?

Yes! Antique restoration is one of our favorite services.
We carefully clean, repair, and refinish antique furniture using gentle, non-damaging methods. If you’re searching for antique restoration near me or wood furniture restoration Lakeland, your heirloom piece is in safe hands.

Do you offer custom colors or finishes?

Absolutely. Every piece is customized to your preferences.
You can choose from solid paint colors, distressed finishes, stains, or natural wood tones. We can also color-match from photos or samples you provide.

Popular choices include:

  • Modern neutrals (white, beige, black, greige)

  • Two-tone finishes (painted base + stained top)

  • Natural wood stains

  • Vintage or MCM-inspired tones

IMG_2312.JPEG

Painting & Staining Questions

What kind of paint do you use?

We only use high-quality, professional-grade paints and finishes designed for furniture — not cheap latex wall paint.
Our preferred brands include:

Each project gets sealed with a durable topcoat for a smooth, long-lasting finish.

Do you stain wood furniture too?

Yes — we specialize in wood furniture restoration Lakeland FL, including sanding, staining, and sealing solid wood pieces.
We carry a variety of stain colors, from natural oak and walnut to deep espresso and black. If you’ve searched furniture staining near me, you’re in the right place.

Can you combine painted and stained finishes?

Definitely! One of our most popular looks is a painted base with a stained wood top, which highlights the furniture’s original character while adding a modern twist.
This two-tone style works beautifully for dressers, tables, and buffets.

How durable is the finish?

Our finishes are designed to last for years with proper care.
Each piece gets:

  1. Thorough prep and sanding

  2. A high-quality primer (when painted)

  3. Multiple coats of paint or stain

  4. Two to three coats of a professional-grade sealer

The final result is smooth, durable, and resistant to scratches or peeling.

🧰 Repair & Restoration Questions

Do you fix broken furniture?

Yes, we can handle light repairs like:

  • Loose or broken joints

  • Wobbly legs

  • Cracked drawer fronts

  • Missing veneer sections

  • Drawer slide replacements

If the damage is beyond basic repair, we’ll let you know during your estimate and discuss the best solution.

Can you restore furniture that has water damage or smoke stains?

In many cases, yes. We can sand and refinish most surfaces that are structurally sound.
If you’re not sure, just send us a photo through our Estimate Form — we’ll assess whether the piece can be saved.

Do you refinish outdoor furniture?

We focus primarily on indoor furniture, but can sometimes accommodate solid wood outdoor furniture (like benches or tables) with proper weather-sealing.
We’ll advise you on the best finish to protect it from the Florida humidity.

bottom of page