Tips on Refurbishing Furniture

Upholstered Furniture

• Reupholstering a sofa or stuffed chair is an excellent way to update worn, outdated furniture. It can be difficult for the average homeowner to master the skill of reupholstering furniture, therefore, slipcovers are another option to give furniture an all new look. Some furniture pieces, such as ottomans or stools, are easier for the average do-it-yourselfer to reupholster. Only one piece of fabric is needed, which is gathered and fastened underneath. If the upholstered furniture has a tear or stain on it, you may be able to strategically place a throw blanket to cover it.

Painting Furniture

• Paint old, unsightly furniture to give it a whole new look. If you paint several pieces of furniture in a room with the same color, gloss and finish, even the most mismatched furniture can be made to fit well together in the same space. To paint wood furniture, lightly sand it to remove loose paint and to roughen up the surface so painting is more effective. For small or finely detailed furniture, such as wicker or carved wood, use spray paint. Spray paint is often a faster process than -- and just as effective as -- painting with a paintbrush. You can also create a faux finish when painting furniture. For example, whitewash furniture by thinning white paint with water or using a pre-made whitewash paint. Then lightly sand small, sporadic areas to give the furniture an antique look.

Changing the Purpose

• Some pieces of furniture can be modified and used in a different manner. For example, saw the bottom of dining table legs so the table stands between 16 and 18 inches. Then, you can use it as a coffee table instead. You can also add foam covered with fabric to convert a coffee table into an upholstered bench. If you have an electric knife, which is often found in the kitchen, use that to cut the foam. It is much easier to use than scissors.

Other Tips

• Freshen up the furniture with new pillows, throw blankets and lampshades. Use fine steel wool and lightly sand off scratches and water marks on wood furniture, then apply lemon oil or furniture oil. You can also use an oil-based scratch cover that closely matches the wood to cover light scratches. Always sand wood with the grain, and if you remove paint from furniture with a chemical stripper, always do so in a well-ventilated space and wear gloves to protect your hands. Add embellishments, such as strands of buttons or pearls that can be applied with a hot glue gun, along the edges of your furniture to give it a finished look, or to help bring a cohesive look to several pieces of furniture.