As time passes, sometimes we don't realize when that piece of furniture that we inherited or that we loved so much when it was purchased, starts to lose some color. It's hard to notice when we see the same furniture every day but scratches might appear that can no longer be covered up or the joints, nails, and hinges start to show some wear and tear.

The most common decision is to just throw these pieces of furniture away and that’s how they end up in landfills and dumps. However, wood is a material that can be given a new lifespan in hundreds of ways. Here, we’ll tell you how.

How to Restore a Piece of Furniture

 

Furniture restoration is a skill that many artisans, carpenters and architects devote themselves to, inspired by these objects that breathe life into a home. In a certain sense, furniture says a lot about its owners and their personalities - whether it has deteriorated because of time, neglect or just because you want to redecorate, it’s always better to think about refurbishing the piece rather than throwing it away.

There are many different options available for furniture restoration: you can choose to leave it as it was originally, make minor modifications, go for a radical change of style or use the pieces to create something unique, however you like. And while experts know you have to be patient, we can tell you that anyone can do this kind of work at home by following the step-by-step guide we have here.

Materials You’ll Need

• Coarse and fine sandpaper made for wood
• Cotton cloths or rags and a feather duster
• Aluminum scouring pad
• Thin paintbrushes and flat brushes
• Putty knife
• Screwdrivers and a carpenter's hammer
• Ph Neutral soap
• Paint stripper
• Wood preservative oil
• Varnish
• Spare metal parts corresponding to the piece of furniture
• Wood paint if you want a particular color
• Mask and gloves

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Restoring Furniture at Home

Before starting, it would be ideal to identify the type of wood that was used to create the furniture so you can be more specific with the treatment. However, even if you don’t know the type or you’re not an expert, this step-by-step guide can be used as a universal method for furniture restoration.

Remember that it’s important to be patient and dedicated to get the results you’re looking for. Now, let's get to work!

 

1.  Clean the wood

In order to properly clean the wood, it’s best to separate the different parts of the piece of furniture to check the degree of damage to each one of them.
Now, wipe the parts down with a damp cloth and neutral soap, using a toothbrush for those more delicate details and corners.
Remove the paint or varnish by simply sanding the wood or with a coat of paint stripper and a spatula. When you’re done, you should always finish with a fine sandpaper, which you should use in the direction of the wood grain.
Finish this step by dusting the wood with a feather duster or, to be more thorough, you can go over it with a cotton cloth dipped in white vinegar to help clean and disinfect.

 

2. Smooth out the surface

Normally, with use, furniture gets scratched and cracks are created. To counteract this, we need to loosely place a wet cloth with hot water or milk on the area. After a few hours, you can tape it down or leave something heavy on top. After a while, check to see if the cracks are evened out.
For those cracks that are a little more noticeable, it's best to fill them with putty or wax, flatten with the help of a putty knife and let dry well, before sanding to make it smooth. Don’t worry about the color; you can paint it later to match the wood.
Check the work you’ve done, clean with a feather duster and protect the furniture by applying a wood protector.

 

3. Restore and replace metal parts

While waiting for the putty and wood protector to dry, look for the furniture's metal parts (hinges, handles, locks, etc.) and check their condition. If they still work, you can use them again, and if not, we recommend replacing them with similar ones (or whatever fits your tastes.) You can find them in hardware stores, specialty stores or online.
For the pieces you’ll keep, clean them with soap and water if they are bronze, and with vinegar if they’re made of another material. Clean them with a toothbrush and in the case of locks and hinges, rub with oil to make them easy to open.

 

4. Reassemble and replace pieces

Let's start putting the piece of furniture back together. If you changed the hinges, it’s a good idea to put them in a slightly different position from where they used to be, so that they remain firm. For the joints as well, put nails and screws at least half a centimeter away from the previous holes.
You may want to put your own touch on this part. If you’re not trying to recreate the original furniture, get creative! Put on some moulding, change the legs, replace small details, swap the doors for glass ones, etc. It will be better to use glue, rather than nails, for some pieces. Using cold, high-quality glue, apply and let set according to the drying time indicated on the package. You can also reinforce the joints with glue for a better finish.

 

5. Paint or varnish application

It’s now time to apply the varnish. With the brush in hand, pass each brushstroke from end to end on all sides of the furniture, always in the direction of the grain.
We recommend applying two coats of varnish and waiting 1 day between coats to allow it to dry properly (or according to the instructions on the package.) To finish, apply a coat of colorless wax for a more natural look.

If you’re thinking of painting the wood another color, look for a specialized wood protector to put over the paint instead of the varnish.

 

 

Now you’re ready for a simple furniture restoration. However, make sure you keep in mind that you’ll need a large, clean space where the furniture can remain during the whole process.

If you gave it a shot, tell us on social media and let us know how the final result turned out. Good luck!