There's something really rustic and simple about wooden floors that many homeowners really love. The fact that they are durable and low maintenance is a real selling point too.

For people not lucky enough to have wonderful old floorboards or precious parquet blocks hiding away beneath their tatty old carpets, laminate flooring is a popular way to mimic the effect and create a similar illusion.

But if you are fortunate enough to have the real thing and want to restore it to its former glory then it is time to set to work making these original features a real focal point in your home.

There'll be less work to do if your floor is in a fairly good state and you only want a simple finish, but otherwise the job can be rather long and physically tough, so make sure that you are prepared to ache all over once it's finished.

The first step is to get rid of any flaky, tatty, cracked, discoloured old paint or varnish that's gone beyond the point of no return.

If you simply slap a new layer on over the top, you'll end up with a really patchy result, because the paint or varnish will sink in and dry unevenly.

You can hire sanding machines from local hire shops and may be able to strike a deal with the manager if you have a big job to do and need the equipment for longer.

By sanding the surface, you will restore it to a clean, natural grain, flattening it down as you go but, when working out the costs, remember to allow for the fact that varnish and paint clog sandpaper very quickly.

Although this smooth, sleek, even look is probably exactly what you want, those with older properties might like to think twice about removing the character of worn, undulating floors.

If you decide sanding isn't right for you or the property, you can strip off the old varnish by using a suitable proprietary chemical stripper.

Whichever method you go for, be sure to take all the necessary safety precautions, particularly in relation to ventilation and protection.

Read the specific manufacturer's instructions thoroughly before you begin.

You may find that some areas of old varnish won't budge, for example where floorboards or parquet blocks meet and aren't lying flat. In this case, you'll have to get down on your hands and knees and remove it using white spirit, steel wool or a scouring pad, and a good old-fashioned dose of elbow grease.

Again, put safety first and make sure the room is adequately ventilated when using solvents, as breathing in the vapours is not remotely good for you.

It is also sensible to wear a suitable respiratory mask and protective gloves.

Work in small areas at a time, letting the white spirit soften and dissolve the polish, then use a scraper to remove the gooey mixture, wiping away any residue with an old rag.

Make sure you remove every last morsel of old varnish, as new varnish won't stick otherwise. It's a tedious and slow job, but one that's definitely worth doing properly for a great end result.