Outdoor & Garden Ideas
Furniture Refinishing Basics For The Average Person
One of the most common means of furniture restoration is furniture refinishing. Refinishing furniture can breathe new life into pianos, tables, chairs, cabinets, bookcases, jewelry boxes and other items that have started to look a little bit worn.
With any furniture restoration project - and furniture refinishing is no exception - there are a few things to consider. First, you want to think about whether or not you can do it yourself. You may be thinking, "Why couldn't I tackle furniture refinishing myself? All it takes is a few hours, some sandpaper and new stain." While in many cases this is true, some furniture restoration should be left to the pros.
For example, piano refinishing isn't the same as refinishing a jewelry box. Many large pieces - pianos, armoires - are far easier for professionals to restore and refinish. Another furniture restoration project that may be better suited for a professional is refinishing chairs. You may find that, for these projects, hiring a professional will cost less and take less time than if you were to do the projects yourself.
Another professional who you may want to consult before taking on a furniture restoration project is an antiques appraiser. While refinishing furniture you bought new can help give the piece more character or even help you to sell it for a profit at a yard sale, there are rare and collectible pieces of furniture that will lose value if they are refinished. When you've bought an antique dining room table, coffee table or cabinet, furniture refinishing could lower the value of the piece and you may want to look into a thorough professional cleaning instead.
If you are only looking at refinishing furniture that is newer or that has sentimental value, you may choose not to consult with a professional. In that case, it's often best to get right into the project on your own.
To start your furniture-refinishing project, it's often best to find a spot that won't be noticed as a test site. In this spot - low on the back of the piece or on the bottom - you'll want to start the furniture refinishing by removing a small portion of the current finish. Doing so will let you see what you're up against and how hard will it be to remove the current finish from the furniture.
The answer to that question will vary some. Simple surfaces like a table will be easier to refinish than a cabinet with intricate corner work. Using a furniture stripper and a scraper will make it easier to remove a painted or varnished finish than merely using sandpaper. Once you've determined how to best remove the old finish from the furniture, the next step is to work outdoors (when possible) to remove the old varnish and paint.
Furniture refinishing, however, is not just about removing the old finish. Refinishing furniture requires stripping the old finish and then preparing the surface for a new finish by sanding the surface and wiping down the sawdust that sanding stirred up. Only after the surface has been prepared can you start the final step in this furniture restoration project: applying the new finish.
Refinishing the furniture, therefore, means knowing what the new finish will be. For some, the goal of refinishing furniture is to strip off color, get back to the natural wood and apply a clear finish that shows off the item's natural beauty. For others, furniture refinishing is a matter of taking the wood to a darker shade - staining pine so that it takes on the color of cherry or mahogany wood.
Still others look at furniture refinishing as a chance to bring color to their table, desk, bookshelf or bureau. When refinishing furniture, many are likely to choose a colored stain followed with a topcoat of varnish for sheen. Another common choice people, who are looking for color, make is to select paint that matches the room or provides the contrast they are looking to achieve in their room.
Furniture restoration, after all, is a personal choice. Refinishing furniture gives you a chance to create a new look without going out and buying something new. For those inclined to take on little projects on their own, refinishing furniture can be a great way to spend a weekend - and have something to show for their time, for years to come.
20 of 45 Review For Gothic 3 Light Outdoor Hanging Lantern
Michael ( 2020-Dec-12 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Excellent product, sturdy and durable. We bought for our garden furniture cushions and blankets, great space inside.
Mark ( 2020-Mar-10 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
We bought the pillows for our patio furniture first, then had to find a bin to store them. Perfect size for our needs. We selected this one also because it was not that ugly putty color that we see so often; this will be less conspicuous in our setting. This one had been out of stock, but I'm glad I waited for it to become available again. Came back on daily sale in wayfair, so I snapped it up. Speaking of snapping, I should mention that it was super-easy to assemble.
V. ( 2020-Feb-11 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Great quality, arrived in perfect condition. They look fabulous, so i'm getting some more.
John ( 2020-Jan-12 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Fantastic plant pots, look really good. Very competitive price, would purchase again from www.boisecloggers.com. Arrived in good time, tracking very good too.
Gale ( 2020-Nov-28 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Great value and comfortable. My 19 year old daughter put it together on her own as a surprise for me... and did a great job! was impressed at the quality for the cost
Paula ( 2020-Dec-06 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Good price assembly simple quality ok we wanted attractive units rather than plain storage units.
Susan ( 2021-Feb-17 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
The box is extremely well made, instructions were very easy to understand and all parts were very well made.
Helen ( 2020-Nov-16 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Good price assembly simple quality ok we wanted attractive units rather than plain storage units.
Molly ( 2021-Jan-05 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
This product is amazing! I got all my cushions from my corner settee and some scatter cushions too!
Wendy ( 2020-Jun-04 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
This item was purchased as an item on a raffle table. I can’t speak for the actual function of the swing, but the person who won it was absolutely thrilled with it!
Davina ( 2020-Jun-30 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Good quality,good finish. Still to build it so hopefully it will be straightforward. Prompt delivery by friendly, helpful courier.
Brad ( 2020-Apr-10 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
It is smaller than it appears! Difficult to store high-tops in the small shelves. But it looks quite decent and can hold 10 pairs of shoes. So go for it if you are looking to shelve only that many pairs or will be using it as a supplementary to a main shoe rack
Regan ( 2020-Jul-05 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Great quality bench seat. Looks good and is solid. Putting it together was a challenge as the long hex screws were hard to get in (forget about using the stupid allen Key provided). Used a torque wrench and that made simple work of it!
Salina ( 2020-Jan-24 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Just want i needed - a box big enough to take out out door lounge cushions completely - usually 5 large bags full!! safe and dry with a decent lock - recommend if your looking for a great box for the garden - LOVE IT
Fi ( 2020-Apr-27 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Bought 2019 Hopeless fittings Arms simply won’t screw in Sadly disappointed It is comfortable but not hard wearing
David ( 2020-Jun-24 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Came in on time and looks great! Would give it 5 stars but the color is more green than the blue I thought I would get.
Elenora ( 2020-Dec-25 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Does the job very well and looks the part! Cushion cover is vinyl - practical but fabric would be nicer. Good value for he money - the only real downside for me is that I have big feet and some the shoes have to lay sideways - but a pair of Timberland boots will still fit (just)!
Fi ( 2020-Oct-07 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Great chairs! Much less expensive than on Serena and lily and I can’t tell the difference.
Lily ( 2021-Feb-25 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Really pleased with the quality of this, especially given the price
Scott ( 2020-Apr-14 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Well designed! Ultra comfortable and surprisingly east to get out of. Easy to assemble as already partly assembled. Very good finish and lovely colour. We highly recommend the Alyson Swift Garden Chair!