Furniture Restoring Ideas

Restain

• If your furniture is in relatively good condition, removing its old finish and restaining it may be the simplest way to restore it. Stripping the furniture can be a difficult process because it usually requires a chemical stripper product and a scraping tool to remove the old refinish. Work slowly because you can gouge the wood if you aren’t careful. When choosing a new stain, you can match it to the old stain or opt for a warmer tone to provide a richer, deeper look. Oil-based stain typically provides the most consistent, streak-free finish, but a water-based stain is easier to clean up if you make a mistake. Finish with a polyurethane topcoat to protect the new stain.

Paint

• You may strip the old finish off your furniture and find that the wood underneath is too damaged to be restained. Paint is an ideal alternative because it provides an opaque finish that disguises surface scratches, stains and other damage. You can choose any color, but it’s usually best to stick with a neutral color -- like white, black or gray -- for a simple, elegant look. However, if you have a furniture item that you suspect might be antique, have it appraised before picking up a brush because painting it can devalue the item.

Reupholster

• If you have an upholstered item of furniture with stained, torn or otherwise damaged fabric, restoring it can be as simple as reupholstering it. For the most authentic look, try to match your chair or sofa’s original fabric as closely as possible. However, you can also choose a new fabric, color and pattern to give the item an entirely new look. For an elegant, sophisticated look, opt for sumptuous fabrics like silk or velvet. Cotton, canvas or linen fabrics offer a more casual look.

Replace Trim

• You can restore the look of a bookcase, china cabinet or armoire that has seen better days by replacing its trim. The tops of these furniture items often feature decorative molding that may become damaged when the pieces are moved to a new room or home. Find stock trim at your local home improvement store or lumberyard; the key is to find a design that matches the furniture style. If you enjoy woodworking projects, you may also opt to make your own custom trim. Before applying the trim, stain it in a color that matches the rest of the furniture.