Meet Michael Shoup: Custom Furniture Maker in Houston, TX

A native Houstonian, raised in the Heights, who has spent a lifetime learning to turn good wood into furniture people keep for generations.

Tell me what I can build for you Call 281-757-6846

A Houston Heights kid with a workbench

My name is Michael Shoup, and I'm a native Houstonian. I grew up in the Houston Heights long before the modern redevelopment, back when neighbors fixed their own porches and kids learned by watching. I built my very first woodworking project at age 11, and I've been hooked ever since.

That early start turned into a lifelong dedication to the craft. Shoup Woodworks is the result: a small custom shop where I build high-quality, functional art for Texas homes. I don't mass-produce anything. Each piece is designed around the person who'll use it, and I'm the one building it.

What I do

Custom furniture: dining tables, bookshelves, desks, cabinets and media consoles
Custom doors that dress up an entryway
Furniture repair, restoration, refinishing and repurposing (see my 2026 projects)
Old-style wooden games: Wahoo boards (Aggravation style), Chinese checkers and cornhole sets
Cutting and charcuterie boards and wood and antler accessories

Custom furniture and special requests

I specialize in custom furniture and home accessories tailored to your style. Whether you're after a centerpiece dining table, a handcrafted bookshelf or a custom door to set off your entryway, I bring decades of hands-on experience to every build.

I especially enjoy special requests. If you have a unique idea, or a "problem-solving" piece of furniture in mind for an awkward corner or a room that nothing store-bought fits, that's exactly the kind of job I like. Bring me the problem and we'll work out the design together.

Repair, restoration and refinishing

Along with new builds, I repair, restore and repurpose wood furniture. From structural fixes on a wobbly chair to careful refinishing on an antique, I give old furniture a second life. I believe every project deserves to be done right, so your heirlooms are preserved for the next generation. You can see recent examples, like a rocking chair rescue and a Globe-Wernicke barrister bookcase, on my 2026 projects page.

How I work with you

Every piece of wood has a story, and I'm here to help you write the next chapter. We'll talk about how you'll use the piece, the size and style you want, and the wood and finish that fit your home. I'll give you an honest quote and timeline up front. When it's done, you pay by Zelle or cash. Call or text me at 281-757-6846 anytime.

Frequently asked questions

Who makes the furniture at Shoup Woodworks?

I do. Shoup Woodworks is my shop, and I'm Michael Shoup, a native Houstonian who grew up in the Houston Heights and built his first project at age 11.

Do you repair and refinish old furniture?

Yes. I repair, restore, refinish and repurpose wood furniture, from structural fixes on chairs and tables to careful work on antiques like barrister bookcases.

Can you build something that isn't in your galleries?

Yes. Special requests are some of my favorite jobs. If you have a unique idea or a problem-solving piece in mind, describe it to me and we'll design it together.