Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Furniture Finisher
What furniture finishers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a furniture finisher?
Check finish samples. From there, the day usually includes sand surfaces, strip old finishes, and stain and tone. Full-time daytime hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a furniture finisher working full time.
- Check finish samples.
- Sand cabinet doors.
- Spray stain.
- Apply sealer.
- Touch up a damaged table.
- Spray topcoat.
- Clean spray guns.
Where furniture finishers work
Finishers work in shops, factories and spray booths.
Hours and schedule
Full-time daytime hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Sand surfaces
- Strip old finishes
- Stain and tone
- Spray finishes
- Repair damage
- Match colors
- Restore antiques
Tools you’ll use every day
- Spray guns
- Sanders
- Spray booths
- Touch-up kits
- Strippers
- Color charts
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Craft skill
- Restoration niche
- Visible results
- Can be self-employed
What’s hard
- Fumes
- Slight decline
- Dust
- PPE all day
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I have a good color eye
- I’m patient
- I like wood
- I can wear PPE
- I like visible results
- I might restore antiques
Not sure? Take the free Furniture Finisher fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Wear respirators
- Use spray booths
- Dispose of oily rags safely
- Ventilate