Refinishing Furniture Ideas

Tap to Read ➤ Ashwini Kulkarni Sule

Refinishing furniture is a quick and an inexpensive way of sprucing up its appearance. Here are a few suggestions on how you can go about it.

If you have been noticing that lately, the furniture in your home has started to look worn out and old, you may perhaps consider replacing it. However, buying new furniture may not be always a wiser option, or a feasible one at that.

For one thing, it is far too expensive, and secondly you may not always find a piece that will go with the rest of your home décor. In such a situation, opt for refinishing the furniture. It is cheaper and you may even consider doing it yourself. Besides, you are relieved of the hassles of matching the furniture pieces with your home décor.

Kitchen Cabinets and Cupboards

Kitchen cabinets are the first to display the signs of weathering. They are often subjected to a lot of wear and tear due to excessive usage and extreme temperature conditions in the kitchen. Replacing them can be an expensive affair.

Simply applying a fresh coat of paint can render them an entirely new look. Before painting them, it is important to sand the surface. Sanding allows the paint to hold better onto the surface.

Take your kitchen cabinets in an open space and start sanding them with a sandpaper. Clear the dust off the surface and apply a coat of furniture primer. Allow it to dry completely before you start painting.

While choosing the color of the paint for your cabinets, it is better to consider the size of the kitchen and wall color. If your kitchen is tiny, go for lighter shades as they create an illusion of space. Besides, these shades also render a cleaner look to your kitchen cabinets.

One other useful tip is using a stencil for creating attractive design patterns on the doors of the cabinets. You can also consider replacing cabinet door knobs and handles to give it a brand new look.

Tables and Chairs

Tables and chairs can also be given a new look by painting them. Wrought iron tables and chairs can be best painted using water-based latex paint or acrylic spray-on paints.

Replace the cushioning of the chairs or simply add more stuffing to the existing cushions for more comfort. You may ask a professional to reupholster the chairs, so that you don't mess with the measurements and other technical aspects. Wooden tables and chairs can benefit from different refinishing techniques such as staining and dyeing.

A wood stain not only protects the wood from inclement weather and rough use, but also gives it a more natural and appealing look to the furniture. A dye can be used to completely change the color of the wooden furniture.

Sofa and Bed

You can get the sofa reupholstered at any of the upholstery shops. Although, you will have to pay a substantial amount for it, the overall cost would be still less than what you would pay for a new sofa.

Also invest in a new fabric for the sofa cushions. Beds can be refinished by staining the frame, bedpost, and headboard. You may also invest in a new mattress.

One popular idea and a personal suggestion is to antique your furniture. It lends the atmosphere a very antique, classic, and worn out look. However, this idea may not go down well with everyone. Besides, antique furniture may not look good if you have a very modern home.