How to Redo a Thrift Store Hutch

Clean the hutch thoroughly using a rag, soap and warm water. Wipe away the film from previous cleaning products, the dirt from storage and dust that can prevent paint or finish from adhering to the hutch. Take note of nicks in the wood, as they do need to be filled.

Examine the hutch carefully to decide how to proceed. You can repaint it or strip off the paint and refinish the natural wood with a stain. Paint a hutch made of already stained wood or refinish it with a different stain. Changing the knobs and hinges are another option as is replacing the handles.

Remove the hardware before proceeding. Open the doors and drawers to find the screw behind the handles and knobs. Unscrew them for removal.

Sand the entire hutch if you plan to repaint it. Lightly sanding the hutch allows the primer a rough surface to adhere to. If you are refinishing, use a furniture stripper to strip the paint or stain from the wood. Apply the stripper according to package instructions.

Fill any nicks or holes in the wood with wood filler found at your local hardware or home improvement store. Some fillers are applied after staining, so Lowe's suggests adhering to the wood filler's package instructions.

Use a paintbrush to apply primer to the hutch if repainting or stain if refinishing. Apply in thin layers to prevent dripping and apply more than one layer to adequately cover the hutch. The primer prevents the hutch's paint from showing through the new color while stains change the color of the wood. Allow the primer or stain to dry between layers.

Repaint the hutch after the primer dries on. Use a base color for the entire hutch and a complementary color for the hutch's embellishments. Apply more than one coat for best results.

Place the handles and knobs onto the hutch. Place the decorative piece on the hole in the door or drawer and place the screw into the opposite side. Screw it in. When tightening, try not to damage the surrounding paint.