Furniture is expensive and, unfortunately, if you want to buy something of high quality you’re going to have to pay for it. If you want to add some new pieces to your home décor without spending a fortune, however, there is another option – you can refinish old Furniture. Refinishing furniture is relatively easy to do, and you can transform a beautiful piece into something new. Keep reading to learn more.

How Do You Know If It’s Worth It?

Purchasing used furniture and refinishing it yourself can save you a lot of money, but you need to know how to tell if a piece is going to be worth the purchase price. First and foremost, look to the finish. If the piece is painted it could be covering up some kind of damage or defect – old varnish is generally easier to get off than paint as well. You should also check the quality – if it’s a piece of IKEA furniture versus something made from hardwood, your options will be limited. Finally, give the piece a once-over to see if it is going to need repairs before you get to work.

Things to Think About Before Getting Started

Once you’ve purchased your piece, you need to decide what you’re going to do with it- there are three options to choose from:

• Rejuvenation
• Repair
• Refinish

Rejuvenating a piece usually involves keeping the existing finish and just cleaning it up and making minor repairs. This method works well for pieces made from wood that are still in decent condition. Repair is another option – you can fill dents and cracks without changing the finish, just be sure to use the right products. The final option is to refinish which involves stripping the paint or varnish then sanding the piece and applying a new finish. It takes the most work, but the result is a like-new piece of furniture.

Tips for Refinishing Furniture

No matter what kind of furniture you are working with or the current finish, your first step should always be to clean the piece thoroughly. In most cases, the best way to clean a piece is with basic dish soap and warm water. Once the piece is clean, take a good look at it to see what kind of shape it’s in and whether any repairs are needed – if they are, take the necessary steps to fix things. Next, remove the old finish using sandpaper or a chemical stripper then let it dry before applying a coat of sealant for protection. Finally, add your new stain or paint and top it with a coat of finish.

Keep in mind that while the process for refinishing furniture sounds simple, it does take some time to do. Make sure you take your time as you move through the steps to ensure that everything is done correctly, and you won’t have to go back and redo things. If you take your time, you will be rewarded with a beautifully refinished piece of furniture.