Whether you’re looking for a little something for a dorm room, apartment, or you simply want to dress up a space, come see what we have at the ReStore. There’s sure to be a desk, chair, futon, dresser, lamp, table (get the picture yet?) with your name on it. It may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but don’t let that deter you. Anyway, it’s not nice to judge a piece of furniture by its finish.

Take this chair for example. Sure, it looks a little worn, possibly abused in a former life – easily passable, but with a little imagination this chair can be transformed into something that fits your style to a T.  All you need to bring this chair’s inner beauty to the surface are the right materials, some good ole’ fashioned elbow grease and a pinch of creativity. Depending on the furniture piece you’re starting with and the type of material (wood, metal, etc.), there are many options available. Here’s what I recommend:

Painting
Painting your furniture piece is a good choice if you’re looking for a relatively easy project on a tight budget. A plus – painted furniture is in right now and is sure to add flair to your space. For an even easier alternative, you can sub the standard paint for spray paint. And, for you artsy folk and you others who just aspire to be artsy, this is a great way to get creative with your furniture. You can use a stencil to paint a contrasting design, pick up some painter’s tape and create a symmetrical border, paint the value of Pi on top of your new desk – whatever you’re into (not here to judge remember?). Be sure to do some research on techniques, and if the existing finish is cracked or peeling you will probably need to remove it before adding the primer and paint.

Refinishing
Refinishing is basically removing the existing finish and applying a stain and/or a clear sealer. Sounds pretty simple, but there are many steps involved, and patience is a requirement for a beginner. Refinishing can produce beautiful results if done correctly. There are so many different products available for this. If you’re lost on what to get, talk to someone at your local hardware store – they can be a great resource. Tips from a novice refinisher: triple the amount of time you think it’s going to take, do not attempt to use a chemical stripper indoors, don’t underestimate the potential for bugs to stick to your finish if working outside, when applying the new finish, let it soak into the wood and wipe off completely…do not think you can apply stain like paint because it won’t dry like paint…as in won’t dry at all, and finally, for other first-timers, be careful not to take on something too large to handle. I would recommend starting off with something small, like a chair or an accent table.

Refreshing
Sometimes all it takes is a little spiffying to bring a piece of furniture up to par. You’d be amazed what some furniture polish and new hardware can do.

For professional instructions and tips on painting and refinishing your furniture, here are a few links:

Martha Stewart Painted Furniture Article
DIYNetwork.com's Tips on Painting Furniture
Refinishing Instructions and Tips from Lowe's
RefinishFurniture.com
HowStuffWorks.com How To Refinish Furniture
Refinishing with Eric Stromer Video

Don’t forget…you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover or a chair by a few scratches. Just because it’s worn doesn’t mean it can’t look fabulous with your help. And, as always, your contribution will help build a home for a family in need. Happy hunting!