Requirements

Furniture maker or other craft woodworker - requirements

As a furniture maker or woodworker, you’ll use your creative skills and technical knowledge to design, make and restore pieces like chairs, tables and floors. Learn more about a career in woodwork, find out what it involves and what you’ll need to study and do to get a role.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a furniture maker or other craft woodworker?

A degree in art and design will prove useful if you want to work in woodwork or furniture making. Subjects to consider include:

Some furniture maker and other craft woodworker roles may prioritise practical ability over academic qualifications but career progress without formal training can be hard. This is why most furniture makers and other craft woodworkers have some form of relevant higher qualification.

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Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a furniture maker or other craft woodworker?

Although it’s not essential to do a postgraduate course, it can help develop your skills especially if you want to specialise in a particular area.

Examples of taught MAs, MFAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

Carving
Conservation studies
Craft and material practices
Creative education
Interior design
Product and furniture design

What skills do you need to be a furniture maker or other craft woodworker?

You’ll need to be creative, innovative and technical to succeed as a furniture maker or other craft woodworker.

Hard skills usually include:

Computer aided design software
Carpentry
Woodwork
Technical drawing
Machinery operation
Finance
Marketing

Soft skills include:

Detail-oriented
Self-motivated
Problem-solver
Customer service
Maths

Do you need work experience to be a furniture maker or other craft woodworker?

You’ll gain a lot of experience on the job and through studying but employers may also want to hire people with experience in DIY, design or construction. You could also shadow an established furniture maker to learn new skills and find out more about the trade. Having this kind of experience could also help you secure a place on a degree course.