Looking for the best antique restoration in Tauranga? The workshops below give heirloom furniture a second life, whether that means repairing a loose joint, French polishing a dining table or reupholstering a Victorian chair on its original frame. For antique restoration in Tauranga, Brendon Catley Furniture handles solid timber pieces while Bay Upholstery restores antique upholstery from its Tauriko workshop.
1Brendon Catley Furniture
Brendon Catley is a Tauranga furniture maker who has worked with timber for over 20 years and restores solid wood pieces alongside his bespoke builds, from mid-century dining tables to heirloom dressers. He grew up around antiques as the son of an antique dealer, and each restoration starts with a photo and a conversation about what should be repaired, preserved or refinished. The workshop is on Cambridge Road in Tauriko and suits owners of quality timber furniture rather than particleboard pieces.
Services
- Antique and mid-century furniture restoration
- Solid timber dining table, coffee table and sideboard restoration
- Chair repairs
- French polishing and re-oiling
- Single-pack and two-pack lacquer finishes
Highlights
- Over 20 years working with timber
- Insurance restoration for water-damaged, fire-affected and transit-damaged timber
- Workshop drop-off or arranged collection
- Specialises in solid timber furniture
Location & Contact
Name: Brendon Catley Furniture
Address: 514 Cambridge Road, Tauriko, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 07 579 4622
Website: catleyfurniture.co.nz
2Bay Upholstery
Bay Upholstery is an owner-operated upholstery workshop on Gargan Road in Tauriko, run by Jeff Paterson, who deals with each customer from the first consultation through to delivery. Antique upholstery restoration sits alongside repairs, recovers and restyling of lounge suites, chairs and settees, backed by more than 30 years in the trade. It suits anyone with an older upholstered piece they want brought back rather than replaced, from Katikati through to Te Puke.
Services
- Antique upholstery restoration
- Chair and lounge suite recovers and repairs
- Furniture restyling, including arm changes and shortened settees
- Window seat squabs, new and recovered
Highlights
- Owner-operated, with no middleman between customer and upholsterer
- 12 month workmanship guarantee
- Free quotes, pick-ups and deliveries
- Upholstery tuition and supplies such as foam and springs
- Over 30 years of industry experience
Location & Contact
Name: Bay Upholstery
Address: Gargan Road, Tauriko, Tauranga
Phone: 07 543 4625
Website: upholsterytauranga.co.nz
3Luxxis Upholstery
Luxxis Upholstery is run by a German-trained master upholsterer who qualified as a master craftsman in 2008 and started the business in Tauranga in 2018. Restoration work focuses on the structure first, repairing frames, replacing springs and rebuilding cushions before new fabric goes on, using traditional craftsmanship alongside modern techniques. It suits owners of treasured family heirlooms and quality upholstered furniture across Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty.
Services
- Heirloom and antique furniture reupholstery
- Frame repairs
- Spring replacement
- Foam replacement and cushion rebuilding
Highlights
- German master craftsman qualification in upholstery
- Structural repairs carried out before recovering
- Pick-up and delivery available
Location & Contact
Name: Luxxis Upholstery
Address: Tauriko / Pyes Pa, Tauranga
Phone: 022 423 1005
Website: luxxisupholstery.co.nz
Antique Restoration in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Brendon Catley Furniture | Over 20 years working with timber |
| Bay Upholstery | Owner-operated, with no middleman between customer and upholsterer |
| Luxxis Upholstery | German master craftsman qualification in upholstery |
How to Choose the Right Antique Restoration in Tauranga
- Match the restorer to the material: timber finishes, veneer and joinery call for a furniture restorer, while sprung seats, horsehair padding and fabric call for an upholsterer.
- Ask about preservation: a good restorer will tell you what should be kept original, since stripping an old finish or replacing original parts can reduce an antique’s value.
- Send clear photos first: most restorers can give a ballpark estimate from photos showing the whole piece and any damage.
- Check the finish options: French polish, oil and lacquer each look and wear differently, so ask which suits how the piece will be used.
- Confirm logistics and guarantees: ask about pick-up and delivery, expected turnaround and any workmanship guarantee before work starts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Antique Restoration
What does antique furniture restoration involve?
It can range from cleaning and refinishing a timber surface to structural repairs such as regluing joints, repairing frames and replacing springs. Upholstered antiques are often stripped back to the frame, repaired, then rebuilt with new padding and fabric.
What is French polishing?
French polishing is a traditional finish built up from many thin layers of shellac applied by hand. It gives a deep, glossy finish that suits many older timber pieces, and a restorer can advise whether it or an oil or lacquer finish is right for yours.
How much does antique restoration cost in Tauranga?
Cost depends on the size of the piece, its condition, the materials chosen and how much repair is needed. Restorers usually quote from photos, so send clear images of the whole piece and any damage to get an estimate.
Can an antique restorer help with an insurance claim?
Some can. Timber restorers regularly repair water-damaged, fire-affected or transit-damaged furniture and can provide a formal quote for your insurer, sometimes for a fee depending on the number of pieces.
Should I restore or reupholster an old chair?
If the frame is sound, reupholstering is often worthwhile, particularly for quality or sentimental pieces. A restorer or upholsterer can check the frame, springs and joints first and tell you whether the piece is worth the work.
Where are furniture restorers located in Tauranga?
Several restoration and upholstery workshops are based in Tauriko and Pyes Pa on the western side of Tauranga. Many offer pick-up and delivery across the city, including Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Greerton, so you do not need to transport a heavy piece yourself.
What are my rights if restoration work is not done properly?
Restoration is a service, so the Consumer Guarantees Act requires it to be carried out with reasonable care and skill and within a reasonable time. Consumer NZ explains the Consumer Guarantees Act and what to do if something goes wrong.
How We Chose the Best Antique Restoration in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for antique restoration in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.