How to Restore Old Wood Furniture

Over a period of time furniture starts wearing out. Throwing them is quite difficult. There is heavy investment in them, monetarily as well as emotionally. So, one does not feel like placing them in the garage or a waste area. But, with that retarded condition, they even cannot remain in their place. In such a situation refinishing old wood furniture is a good idea.

The easiest way to restore old wood furniture is furniture cleaning, dusting it well, and wiping off the stains. Another alternative is to use a wood polish, paint, and wax. If these don’t work, you can also go for remodeling and reupholstering.

Ways to Restore Old Wood Furniture

Here is a guide, which can help new lease of life to your old wood furniture.

Cleaning of Old Furniture

Removing the dust from the furniture time and again keep them healthy. Remember to capture the dust in cloth and then spread it in the area. The best way to dust wood furniture is with a dry cloth. Take a dry, soft cotton piece and wipe the dust from the table, chair, sofas, and other furniture. Do not use the wet cloth; it might damage the furniture more.

At times there are certain stains that cannot be removed with a dry cloth then, what to use to clean such furniture? In such case, use a piece of cloth that is lint-free, soak it in soap or detergent water, squeeze-out extra water, and wipe the wood furniture carefully. You can also use wood furniture cleaner. Once the cleaning the furniture retains its sparkling shine.

Another tried and tested method to clean old wood furniture naturally, is to use an equal mixture of olive oil and white vinegar. All you need to use is a soft cloth to apply the mixture to the old wooden furniture. This will bring shine to your old furniture by replenishing moisture to the wood.

Apply Wood Polish on Old Furniture

Polishing your old wood furniture is one of the easiest and most cost-effective methods to give. It has properties that bring out the wood quality and shine. It makes the wood’s grain sparkle as new.

There are many different polishes available in the market. Carefully choose the one that suits your furniture and the purpose. For instance, the old English furniture polish covers the scratches and patches perfectly. Avoid using food oil alone. They can damage the furniture rather than enhance it. Wax can be used over non-oil polishes such as shellac and lacquer.

Paint Your Old Furniture

Wood cabinets and drawers can be brought back to life with paint. Begin with scraping off the layer of the old paint. Finally, add the new paint. The new paint can bring back the brightness and shine to the furniture. It uplifts the mood and overall aesthetics of the room.

Paint has in-built protective properties that keep the tearing and wearing at bay. When choosing the color of the paint it is important to be careful of the surrounding.

Create the right balance with the correct mix of colors.

Strip the Fading Paint and Add Wax

If the paint of the furniture has faded and weathered out, then scraping it off is good. Use a paint stripper to clear off the paint. Finish it with wax to bring its charm back. The wax brings out the wood’s natural beauty. The wood’s darkness and roughness add to the beauty of the furniture.

However, before proceeding with this process, one must follow the safety measures. Use a mask to avoid the inhalation of the paint dust that comes out on scrapping.

Reupholstering Old Furniture

Reupholstering can give a completely new furniture look. This process includes changing the old fabric to the new. To being with, it is necessary to understand the furniture and its frame. Remove the clips and staplers around the old fabric carefully. Use a new thick fabric, cut it into the shape of the wood frame and attach it to the furniture with the stapler. Finally, reattach the dust cover. You can use fabric glue for a finish.

Apart from the fabric, metal can also be used. Cover the old chest of drawers with trimmed aluminum. It gives a look of a traveling trunk, changing the entire mood of the place and rejuvenating it.

Remodeling Old Wood Furniture

Remodeling is the alteration in the structure and use. Analyze the old furniture, remove the torn-out part, do some addition and you can get a new look from the old piece. For instance, change the headboard to a bench or a tabletop. Take the help of a carpenter and use the wood of the headboard as a bench back or use it to form a new table. Do a polish or paint on it, to give it a new look.

Similarly, a vintage desk or a chest can be converted into a kitchen island. Use a stone countertop for shielding it from spills. The old console can be modified into a good nightstand. Changing the legs of a piece, or adding the new modern hardware, can give the old piece a desired look.

Final Words

Converting antique furniture into a new one is time-consuming. Scrapping and refinishing involve hazardous substances. It is important to be careful of safety and maintain the necessary caution and protection. The lead in the paint can have a negative impact on health. However, if the process is done carefully, it is very rewarding; the result is always amazing, giving a new life and charm not only to the furniture and the interior design but to the overall ambiance of the place. The place gets a new life and beginning.

How to Restore Old Wood Furniture to Give a New Life