DIY: Tuning Up & Refinishing Furniture

This one’s for all the thrifting and ‘use it till the legs fall off’ people out there! You want furniture that will get the job done without the hefty price tags of brand-new designer items, so you turn to thrift stores and garage sales. We understand, and we’re right there with you! But don’t labor under the impression that you have to sacrifice beauty on the altar of affordability. There are easy and cheap ways to give your well-loved furniture a tune-up, and we’re going to share them with you in this post! 

We’ve all seen the wonders that a fresh coat of paint and a set of shiny new hardware can do. But the process of getting these things, while simple, is not as intuitive as it might seem. First, you have to gather inspiration and budget accordingly. Make sure the colors and accessories you select go with the overall style of your home and the particular space you plan to display your newly refurnished piece. Consider what your desired aesthetic is before beginning your project and make a budget to help you stay on track. As we’ve discussed in previous posts, it will help motivate you through the varied steps of the process to have a clear goal in mind.

Preparation

If you don’t already have a piece of furniture selected for this project then we recommend choosing unpainted or unfinished items, or at least ones that are light colored if at all possible to make the following steps easier. In whatever case, you will want to give the piece a thorough washing up before doing anything else. Remove any dust, grease, or grime that may have accumulated over the years as it will be quite troublesome to you during the next few stages. Next, disassemble the pieces of hardware, removing nobs and handles as well as any other detachable parts which might serve as an obstacle to your endeavors. You’ll also want to remove any existing drawers or shelves from their cubbies, if possible. 

Now it is time to strip the surface of any paint or finish which will impede the adherence of a new layer. This can be done with a chemical stripper or a heat gun. Unless you plan to refurbish more pieces in the future we recommend your first attempt be done with a chemical stripper as it is more beginner-friendly, but the difference isn’t especially prominent. A heat gun is more efficient than a stripper when it comes to large flat surfaces but does not work as well on intricate details of a particular piece. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for whichever you choose. Once all paint or finish has been removed, clean the surface again, making quick work of any lasting residue. 

To remove any especially stubborn bits of finish or paint and to further prepare the surface for a fresh coat, sand the piece of furniture down. Start with a heavier grit to do the hard work for you and gradually move down to finer paper to smooth out any rough patches. Once again, use a damp rag or tack cloth to rid the piece of any dust that will most certainly have accumulated. At this point, you can fill any remaining cracks or other imperfections with putty to provide a smooth surface for your paint/finish. 

 Application

Now it is time for the true transformation of this well-loved piece of furniture! If you plan to paint the piece, start with a base layer of paint primer, aiming for a thin coat and ensuring that the primer type is compatible with the material and the type of paint you plan to use. After this layer has dried completely, you may want to sand it very lightly to prepare the surface for the paint and ensure a smoother finish overall. Again, if you are staining the piece instead of painting it then this step is not necessary.

 Now you can apply the paint. You have the choice between several different application methods. Rollers are great if you have a lot of flat surface area to cover, while brushes are more helpful when it comes to nooks and crannies and intricate details. Spray paint is a good choice for especially small items or attachments. Acquire your preferred shade of paint and apply it in light, even coats, letting each layer dry before applying the next. If you’re going with a stain, then you’ll need a cloth or brush to apply the substance, going with the grain and wiping any excess product which may cause blotchy or uneven coloring. After everything has been allowed to fully dry, you can add any distress to the piece if you like that well-worn, country look. Finally, apply a protective coat such as polyethylene to seal and protect the newly finished surface and buff the piece lightly to really bring out the shine.

Details

 Now for the finishing touch! Drum roll please… the hardware! This detail, though often overlooked as it is a practical measure, will really bring the whole piece together, adding that personalized touch of style. Of course, you can always polish up and re-attach the old knobs and handles if you like them. However, if you’re going for an updated look, more in line with your personal style, a cheap solution is shiny new fixtures. This detail can make you fall in love with your refurbished item. 

Also, be sure to reattach any other temporarily discarded components. Reinstall drawers and shelves, ensuring they still fit properly and that everything works as it should.

Conclusion

Now you have a new piece of furniture, unrecognizable from its old, outdated, and beaten-up self, and at half the price of a brand-new item. And you did it all by yourself! Congratulations! Let us know how your project went in the comments and ask any questions you may have! Look at our other posts for more projects. Happy DIYing!