Overview of DIY Furniture Restoring
The first step toward successful DIY furniture restoration is choosing the right piece of furniture. Ideally, you want to go for a sturdy, well-built piece with classic lines and a simple design. You can’t go wrong with a solid wood or hardwood piece, as these are sturdy enough to paint or stain to your liking and can easily be reupholstered should you want to change the look again in the future. No matter what type of piece you choose, it’s important to make sure it’s in good condition first. If it isn’t, you can always find a new piece or refinish what you currently have. Next, you want to prepare the furniture for whatever type of furniture restoration you’re doing. This step is important to make sure that whatever you do to the furniture is done correctly and will last. For example, if you’re painting a piece of furniture, you want to make sure you sand and prep it properly to avoid paint buildup and other issues down the line. Whatever type of furniture restoration you choose to do, it’s important to prepare properly so you can get the best results.
Tools and Materials Needed
Here are a few tools and materials you may want to keep on hand to get started with DIY furniture restoration.
Sander - A handheld or stationary sander is an essential tool for sanding furniture. Sanding is a crucial step in furniture preparation for staining or painting. Stripping agent - Stripping agents help remove layers of old paint from furniture in preparation for a new coat.
Tack rag - A tack rag (or tack cloth) is used to remove paint and other debris from a painted surface before applying a finish.
Cleaning solution - Cleaning solution is used to clean a surface before staining. Stain brush - Stain brushes are used to apply the stain to the surface of the furniture.
Stain pad - Stain pads are used to apply the stain to the surface of the furniture.
Preparing the Furniture
You want to make sure that you properly prepare the furniture before you start any type of furniture restoration so you can get the best results. If you’re planning to stain or paint the piece, you’ll want to first remove any hardware, such as knobs and handles. You may also want to remove the drawers and take off the top of any piece of furniture before sanding it to avoid damaging those parts. Once you’ve removed all the necessary items, it’s time to sand the furniture. Start by lightly sanding all surfaces, paying special attention to areas where you intend to stain and finish If you’ve never sanded furniture before, you may want to practice on an old piece of furniture first to get the hang of it. Keep in mind that you want to use light pressure and even strokes to avoid damaging the furniture. After sanding, you’ll want to clean the furniture surface with a tack cloth to remove any remaining debris and dust.
Sanding and Stripping
Sanding a furniture piece gives you a smooth surface that is easier to stain or paint on. It’s important to sand thoroughly to remove any rough areas. If you don’t sand thoroughly, the stain or paint may not stick to the furniture surface properly and could peel over time. You can sand the furniture piece with a power sander or by hand. If sanding by hand, be sure to use a palm sander to speed up the process. You can also use a bench sander if you don’t want to do the work by hand. Be sure to use the appropriate sanding pad for the job. For example, you’ll want to use a rough sanding pad to remove a lot of wood quickly and a finishing sanding pad to smooth the surface out. After sanding, vacuum the furniture and wipe it down with a tack cloth to remove any remaining debris.
Staining and Sealing
Staining a furniture piece gives it a new color and finish, as well as protects it from future stains. Be sure to use paint that is made for the type of wood you’re working with. For example, if you’re staining a pine piece, you want to use a pine stain. Choose a stain color that will look good with the finish of the furniture piece. You can also use a semi-transparent stain to let the wood grain show through. Stain the furniture piece in the direction of the wood grain using a paintbrush or a stain brush. Let the stain dry and apply a sealant to protect it from future stains.
Painting and Decoupage
Painting a furniture piece is one of the easiest and quickest ways to give it a new look. Choose a paint color that works with your space and style. You can also choose a patterned paint to add a fun design element to a piece. Paint the furniture piece with a brush or a paint roller. Let the paint dry and add a topcoat to protect it from scratches and other damage. Decoupage is another easy way to give an old piece a new look. You can decoupage paper, fabric, or other materials over the existing surface for a unique and personalized look.
Upholstery and Reupholstering
Reupholstering or upholstering a furniture piece completely changes its look and feel, making it feel like a brand-new piece. You can upholster a chair, a sofa, or another furniture piece using a variety of materials and techniques. For example, you can use fabric to reupholster a chair, while you can use foam and vinyl to reupholster a sofa. You may also want to use springs or webbing if the piece is particularly bouncy. Reupholstering a furniture piece is a big job and is generally best left to a professional. If you’re handy with a needle and thread, you can try reupholstering a smaller piece, like an ottoman or a chair.
Finishing Touches and Accessories
Once you’ve finished the furniture restoration, give it a few days to dry and add the finishing touches. For example, you might want to add a coat of clear sealer or beeswax to give the piece extra protection. You can also add decorative elements to the piece or incorporate them into the rest of your decor. For example, you might want to add throw pillows to a sofa or add a decorative tray to an ottoman. You can also turn the piece into a functional element by adding a bookshelf or a storage bench to the mix.
