Schanz Furniture & Refinishing
South Amana, IA - Since 1966

Custom Furniture | 🪚 Repair | 🖌️ Refinishing |  🎁 Unique Gifts

Welcome to Schanz Furniture and Refinishing

Since 1966, Schanz Furniture & Refinishing has served as a premier destination for true woodworking excellence in the Amana Colonies. Our family-owned workshop, located in South Amana, Iowa, specializes in creating custom handmade furniture from premium solid hardwoods and providing expert furniture repair and furniture refinishing services. Our unique, small-batch gift shop items are available for national shipping. For furniture builds, restorations, and chair caning projects, we work closely with each client to coordinate the detail. Just reach out and we'll figure out the best approach together. Whether you are a homeowner seeking a one-of-a-kind dining suite or a tourist exploring the historic Amana Colonies, we invite you to discover the durability and timeless beauty of furniture built to last for generations.

Custom Made Hardwood Furniture

Heirloom Woodworking & Design

At Schanz Furniture & Refinishing, we don't build from a warehouse catalog; we build from your vision. Our family-owned shop in the Amana Colonies specializes in transforming raw, solid hardwoods into one-of-a-kind, breathtaking pieces. As furniture craftsmen, we combine traditional joinery with a modern eye for design, ensuring every custom handmade furniture project stands the test of time.

The Schanz Standard of Craftsmanship

Every piece created in our South Amana, Iowa workshop is a reflection of our commitment to individuality. Whether you need a solid wood dining table built for daily use or a signature statement piece, we offer premium material options including rich cherry, sturdy oak, and warm walnut. Our craftsmen work directly with you to bring your sketches and ideas to life using techniques passed down through generations.

  • No Mass Production: Every item is built from start to finish by a single craftsman.
  • Premium Materials: We use only the finest kiln-dried hardwoods.
  • Pickup or Delivery: To ensure the integrity of your new heirloom, all custom furniture builds are available for customer pickup in South Amana, Iowa or scheduled delivery.
  • The Schanz Finish: Every piece that leaves our shop receives our exclusive finishing process - a formaldehyde-free conversion varnish applied in multiple coats, hand sanded between each one to build a smooth, even surface. The result is a rich satin sheen that enhances the natural character of the wood without masking it. It's a finish you won't find on mass-produced furniture, and one that's built to hold up to generations of everyday use.

Ready to start? We invite you to skip the exploratory phone call and send us your project ideas online for a preliminary evaluation.

Furniture Repair

Heirloom Furniture Repair

At our South Amana workshop, we specialize in the structural restoration of solid wood pieces that have seen better days. Whether it is a family heirloom with a broken pedestal or a set of loose dining chairs, our goal is to restore the integrity of the piece so it can be used for another generation.

  • Structural Restoration: We fix broken joints, loose legs, and cracked surfaces using traditional woodworking methods.
  • In-Shop Service Only: To ensure the highest quality, we do not offer on-site or in-home repairs. 

Furniture Refinishing

Expert Wood Refinishing

We move away from the "dark and outdated" look by revealing the natural beauty of the wood grain. Our refinishing process involves meticulously stripping away old, failing topcoats and hand-applying our signature satin varnish for a durable, silky-smooth finish.

  • Signature Satin Finish: We use multiple coats of formaldehyde-free conversion varnish, hand sanded between coats for a wonderful satin sheen finish for Oak, Cherry, and Walnut.
  • No Painted Finishes: We focus exclusively on the beauty of natural wood; we do not offer furniture painting or "shabby chic" distressing.
  • Logistics: As with our repair services, refinishing projects are for customer pickup in the Amana Colonies or scheduled delivery.

Chair Caning / Seat Weaving

Traditional Chair Caning & Seat Weaving

As one of the few dedicated providers in the Amana Colonies, we offer expert seat reweaving for a variety of chair styles. We utilize time-tested patterns and materials to ensure your seating is both beautiful and structurally sound.

  • Weaving Styles: Our expertise includes traditional hole caning, pressed cane, rush, and splint weaving.
Schanz Furniture & Refinishing Chair Caning - Before
Schanz Furniture & Refinishing Chair Caning After
Schanz Furniture & Refinishing Seat Weaving Before
Schanz Furniture & Refinishing Seat Weaving After

Visit Our Showroom & Work Shop

Visit Our South Amana Showroom & Woodworking Shop

Located at 2773 Hwy 6 Trail in South Amana, Iowa, our facility is more than just a retail space - it is a living legacy of craftsmanship. We invite you to step into the Amana Colonies and experience the sights, sounds, and scents of a working woodshop where every heirloom begins its journey.

The Schanz Showroom

Browse our curated selection of solid wood furniture and discover the difference that our signature hand sanded satin finish makes. Our showroom serves as a gallery of what's possible, showcasing the natural beauty of Cherry, Oak, and Walnut across a range of styles and pieces built right here in South Amana.

A Working Woodworking Shop

Unlike big-box retailers, we encourage you to peek into the heart of our operation. Watch as our craftsmen utilize traditional joinery and precision tools to shape raw lumber into functional art. 

Showroom Logistics & Gift Items

  • Operating Hours: We are open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Handmade Gift Shop: For those traveling or shopping from afar, our small-batch handmade gift items - including cutting boards, brooms, and home decor - are available for national shipping.

Planning a visit to South Amana? Get directions to our shop and experience authentic Amana Colonies woodworking in person.

Welcome to Schanz Furniture and Refinishing
Cutting furniture pieces on the bandsaw

Questions About Custom Handmade Furniture?

What woods does Schanz use for custom furniture?

We specialize in premium, kiln-dried hardwoods including Cherry, Oak, and Walnut. Each wood type has unique grain patterns and durability characteristics, and we work with you to select the best option for your piece.

How long does a custom furniture build take?

Every project is different. Build time depends on the scope of the piece and our current workshop workload. We'll give you a realistic timeline when you contact us with your project details.

Can I customize my piece? (Size, wood type, finish, design)

Absolutely. Custom is our specialty. We work directly with you on size, wood selection, stain options, and design details. Bring us sketches, inspiration photos, or just ideas. Our craftsmen will refine your vision and build exactly what you want.

What construction methods does Schanz use?

We use traditional joinery techniques including dovetail joints, mortise-and-tenon construction, and varnish finishes. These time-tested methods are the gold standard for durable furniture. Every piece is signed by the craftsman who built it—they take pride in the quality.

Do you repair furniture made by other craftspeople?

Yes. We repair solid wood furniture from any maker. Bring us broken joints, loose legs, cracked surfaces, or damaged heirlooms—we'll restore them using traditional woodworking methods. Call first to schedule a time to drop off your piece in South Amana for evaluation.

What's the difference between refinishing and repair?

Refinishing addresses the finish—we strip old, failing topcoats and apply our signature multi-coat formaldehyde-free conversion varnish - hand sanded between coats to reveal natural wood beauty. Repair addresses structural damage—broken joints, loose frames, cracked wood. Often furniture needs both services; we'll assess and recommend the best approach.

Can I visit your showroom and workshop

Yes! We're located at 2773 Hwy 6 Trail, South Amana, IA 52334 and open Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Visit our showroom, browse finished pieces, and watch our craftsmen at work. This is a working woodshop, not just retail—it's an authentic Amana Colonies experience.

How do I get started with a custom furniture project?

Contact us with your ideas—rough sketches, measurements, inspiration photos, or just a description of what you need. We'll discuss your vision, recommend materials and finishes, and provide a timeline and estimate. You can reach us by phone or through our online contact form.

{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://schanzfurniture.com/#webpage", "url": "https://schanzfurniture.com/", "name": "Custom Furniture & Refinishing | Schanz - Amana Colonies", "description": "Since 1965, Schanz Furniture has offered custom handmade furniture, expert repair, and chair caning in South Amana, IA. Heirloom quality built to last.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://schanzfurniture.com/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://schanzfurniture.com/#furniturestore" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://schanzfurniture.com/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://schanzfurniture.com/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://schanzfurniture.com/" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://schanzfurniture.com/#faqpage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What woods does Schanz use for custom furniture?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We specialize in premium, kiln-dried hardwoods including Cherry, Oak, and Walnut. All wood is solid — we never use veneers or particle board. Each wood type has unique grain patterns and durability characteristics, and we work with you to select the best option for your piece." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does a custom furniture build take?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Every project is different. Build time depends on the scope of the piece and our current workshop workload. We'll give you a realistic timeline when you contact us with your project details." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I customize my piece? (Size, wood type, finish, design)", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Absolutely. Custom is our specialty. We work directly with you on size, wood selection, finish options, and design details. Bring us sketches, inspiration photos, or just ideas — our craftsmen will refine your vision and build exactly what you want." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What construction methods does Schanz use?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We use traditional joinery techniques including dovetail joints, mortise-and-tenon construction, and hand-rubbed finishes. These time-tested methods are the gold standard for durable furniture. Every piece is signed by the craftsman who built it." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you repair furniture made by other craftspeople?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. We repair solid wood furniture from any maker. Bring us broken joints, loose legs, cracked surfaces, or damaged heirlooms — we'll restore them using traditional woodworking methods." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the difference between refinishing and repair?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Refinishing addresses the finish — we strip old, failing topcoats and apply our signature hand-rubbed satin varnish to reveal natural wood beauty. Repair addresses structural damage — broken joints, loose frames, cracked wood." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I visit your showroom and workshop?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes! We're located at 2773 Hwy 6 Trail, South Amana, IA 52334 and open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visit our showroom, browse finished pieces, and watch our craftsmen at work." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I get started with a custom furniture project?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Contact us with your ideas — rough sketches, measurements, inspiration photos, or just a description of what you need. We'll discuss your vision, recommend materials and finishes, and provide a timeline and estimate." } } ] } ] }