There are few things in life that can match the thrill of an old, worn-out piece of furniture coming back to life after a good restoration. With a bit of work and dedication, a 19th-century sofa or an art deco armchair can get a new lease on life and be just as useful - and just as beautiful - as they once were. If you're wondering where to buy some interesting antiques - the answer will be shockingly obvious. To this day, eBay remains one of the best places to shop for old furniture. You can spend less money yet still get some nice things to work on.

Next comes the actual, practical work. Afraid that you might ruin a particularly precious piece? Don't be. Take it easy and learn the basics first. An online course will teach you all the right techniques as well as which tools of the trade to use in order to achieve the best results. The process may take a few weeks or even months, but your time invested in it will be more than amply rewarded further down the line. With a good deal of dedication and practice, you will soon be breathing new life into old furniture like a total pro.

After a while, you will most likely come to the realization that there's a decent amount of money to be had here. In fact, if you're good at it, you can easily turn your favorite hobby into a profitable business. Transform an old armchair, sofa, or wardrobe into something fresh and beautiful - and cash could start rolling in. If this is the way you want to go, you should start taking care of the purely bureaucratic side of things from the start. Keeping an inventory of all the pieces will be essential - not to mention careful budgeting. The better you're organized, the easier your new business will be to run.