Stenciling can transform the overall look and style of furniture. Stencils come in plastic or paper templates. You fill the openings with paint using a stencil brush. Choose stencils that coordinate with the style of the room. For example, use geometric shapes on furniture in a modern room or try floral patterns or scroll work on furniture in a more traditional or Victorian room.
In centuries past, people used to have to learn complex painting techniques to successfully simulate the appearance of wood. Today, you can achieve a similar effect using commonly available faux wood painting kits for use on materials such as fiberboard, plywood and laminate. Such kits have special wood-graining tools, which you drag across a freshly painted surface to make it look like wood. For the most convincing results, use this technique on furniture pieces that are not made of natural wood but could believably be made of wood. For example, you could paint dressers, coffee tables and dining chairs.
Shabby chic decor calls for the use of antiques and pieces of furniture that show signs of age, with noticeable dents and dings. These flaws should not be covered up, but rather highlighted to showcase their character and evoke a sense of nostalgia. Paint your own furniture with a variety of techniques to give it an Old World, antique and distressed appearance.
Whether you are going for the look of a shabby chic Parisian apartment or a country cabin, weathering furniture, especially pieces made of wood, cane rattan or other natural materials, is both simple and effective. Even weathering just one or two large showcase pieces can dramatically affect the look and feel of a room. Use painting, sanding and faux-finish techniques to achieve the look you want.
Oriental furnishings can transform any room, giving it an exotic style. The hallmarks of furniture from the Orient include striking colors, dark woods and intricate inlays that give even the heaviest piece a delicate look. If you can't shop for new furniture, transform your old pieces or thrift shop finds. With the right paint techniques, no one will know it's not authentic.
American Colonial and Federal furniture styles reflect the creativity and pride of a new nation. From 1700 to 1780, as colonists decorated their new homes, Colonial craftsmen created furniture inspired by the graceful lines of the William and Mary, Queen Anne and Chippendale styles of Europe. From 1780 to 1820, Duncan Phyfe and other Federal-era designers produced ornate furniture reminiscent of the Hepplewhite and Sheraton styles. Twenty-first century homeowners collect antiques and handcrafted reproductions of both furniture styles.
Adding a coat of paint is an easy, inexpensive way to update an old or damaged piece of furniture. The process is a bit different from the one used for walls -- and usually requires a bit more preparation. Paint is easy enough for novice "do-it-yourselfers" and is available in a wide variety of colors to fit any décor. For a more visually interesting look, a variety of textured paints and painting techniques is also available.
Create the look of faux, or fake, leather using tissue paper, glaze and other paint products. Furniture items such as tabletops, chests and armoires are ideal candidates for faux paint treatments. Practice your technique several times before applying to furniture by experimenting with paint colors and tools. Don't forget to take a before and after photo of your project.
Add layered paint to furniture to design a brand-new look. Paint techniques enhance the look of your furniture, from kitchen chairs to dining room tables. Layered paint gives the look of aged and distressed paint appearing to be decades old. Different application techniques give paint a different look.
For some people, a distressed and "old" look is much preferred to modern and sleek furniture. But you do not have to purchase old furniture and cabinets to achieve this style. Use decorative paint techniques to distress your items and make them look more in keeping with your favorite decor style. There are several options for personalizing wooden furniture.
Sandblasting, also known as abrasive blasting, is a process by which small particles of sand or another hard crystalline material are "blasted" through a small funnel or hose using pressurized water or air. The process is commonly used to strip away old paint, to remove rust, to clean stone buildings or to decorate glass.
Pre-catalyzed lacquers are premixed lacquers that cure chemically. The catalyst is added ahead of time by the manufacturer or paint shop. When the can is opened, the liquid is activated by the exposure to the air. As a result, the contents must be used within a certain amount of time to still be effective. The amount of time needed will be depend on the size of the project and the method of application.
Trees with white balls and pink dots indicate galls, an irregular tissue growth seen on a number of different kinds of trees. They are caused by small insects and mites that irritate the leaf tissue until they surround the organism, creating protective pockets for the tiny creature to lay its eggs. Galls appear in many forms.
Whenever you are cutting, sanding, painting or staining wood, knowing the direction in which the grain of the wood travels is vital to success. Performing any of these tasks against the grain of the wood will create an uneven, rough and unattractive finish that will mar the surface of whatever you intend to use the wood for. However, determining the direction of the grain is not always as simple as just looking at the surface of the wood; reading the grain requires careful attention to detail.
Distressing is a simple and cost-effective way to give wooden furniture an attractive antique look regardless of its actual age. The technique involves sanding through layers of paint to reveal the colors underneath. Using several layers in contrasting colors can further enhance the effect, although a selection of shades of one color can be just as pretty. Any palette of colors can be used to coordinate or contrast with your chosen color scheme.
Sure, you could go down to the local hardware store and pick-up a gallon of regular paint, but if you have small children, or want to do something more environmentally friendly, you can make your own non-toxic paint. This cuts down on the chemical smell created by most commercial paints, and is better for your overall health and the environment.
Distressed wood provides an affordable alternative to purchasing antique furniture. Chairs, tables and mantles can be made to look weathered or time worn, even if they were purchased yesterday. The process of distressing wood can dramatically alter the decor of a home or office. With a little effort, contemporary furniture can be given the look of classical design and craftsmanship. The process of distressing wood can also refurbish furniture that has been worn down through overuse or the passing of time.
The process of distressing wood can be done with just a few tools from around the house. There are some simple techniques that will give even the newest wood an old and worn appearance. This is quite handy when you do not have access to naturally distressed wood and you are going for a rustic look.
Sandblasting and abrasive media blasting equipment can have numerous applications in the home environment. Inexpensive and easy to operate and own, media blasting can help you to prepare corroded items for paint, clean wood or metal fences, and even etch decorative rock. Using blasting equipment, however, requires care and precision, because if you aren't paying attention to what you are doing, you can easily destroy items that you are attempting to repair.
Wood tables and accessories contain a finish that protects the wood from becoming warped and damaged. A catalyzed lacquer finish is one such coating that protects wood from moisture, discoloration and temperature changes. The finish is durable, clear and contains a shine, but like other coatings, is not immune to dust, dirt and grime buildup, as well as to scratches. Catalyzed lacquer finishes need regular care, including polishing and cleaning, to keep the wood's surface looking like new.
Moroccan style is quite different from most American architectural styles. Because Morocco has a hot and dry climate, its homes are typically inward-facing and built around inner courtyards. The windows and landings are decorated with ornate panels with intricate patterns. The patterns are never floral but are centered around geometric forms, frequently with interlocking designs. You can bring Moroccan flavor to your home by creating a Moroccan-style wood panel for your wall or window.
French country furniture is an eclectic mix of court styles, rural interpretations, local colors and materials and gentle aging. It lends itself to antiquing and painting for a faded Versailles or shabby chic look, although painting it requires some attention to detail. Pieces often have cabriolet or snail feet, both raised and inset panels, carved or scalloped aprons, and hand-carved flowers and other decorative features. Aim for rustic but elegant. The chalky hues of the Parisian countryside, with their light tones and faux aging, work well on reproduction pieces like armoires, buffets and commodes.
Sandblasting is a method of cleaning or abrading masonry and metal surfaces, particularly complex wrought ironwork, such as household radiators or ornamental gates, that would prove time-consuming to sand by hand. Sandblasting is often used to remove old paintwork finishes from masonry, woodwork and metalwork before it's repainted, enameled, or galvanized.
The carpet you choose for a room can make a big difference in the final look and feel of that room. The carpet color needs to match the other decorative elements in the room so that your entire room decor is complemented. Once you choose a carpet that matches the other elements of the room, such as the upholstery, walls and other decorative pieces, you will have a uniform space that you can be proud of.
Old lamps will get a new life with painted polka dots. The whimsical design is also a creative way to add color to a room. Decorating with multi-colored polka dots in a child's or baby's room will solve the problem of not being able to pick a main color.
Refinishing furniture, whether a wood chair or dresser, is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Once you have painted or stained the wood furniture, treating the object with a protective clear coat will benefit the furniture and prolong the lifespan of the finish. Some people choose to apply clear coat over an old finish. For painted and stained furniture aerosol spray polyurethane is the easiest method of applying a clear protective coat to the wood. You can brush polyurethane onto furniture and it is available in matte, satin, gloss or semi-gloss finishes. Polyurethane, sprayed or brushed, requires a long drying period.
Whether you have an old piece of furniture in your house that you want to freshen up, or if you find a great piece at a yard sale or flea market that just needs some TLC, refinishing old wooden furniture using a glaze technique allows you to create a completely custom piece to coordinate with your décor. Glazing allows you to add a translucent layer of color over an opaque layer, creating an antiqued, mottled or distressed finish. Experiment with various types of glaze; in addition to traditional clear, you can purchase glaze that creates a pearlescent, crackled or stucco…
Topiary, the art of trimming and shaping plants, has a long history, originating thousands of years ago. Although the practice of topiary often involves larger shapes and figures, such as hand-trimmed animals for commercial establishments and landscapes, smaller designs are also commonly found in households as a form of container gardening. By painting a vase with various shades of purple and distressing the paint slightly, you can create an ideal, vintage styled holder for a topiary design.
Applying a glaze over a catalyzed finish will increase the look and style of your furniture; though time consuming, it's a process an amateur painter can complete. Glaze is designed to adhere to the crevices of your furniture to accent the color. You must buff a catalyzed lacquer before applying the glaze. Catalyzed lacquer finishes are generally more durable than non-catalyzed finishes. Glaze comes in a variety of colors, and you can purchase it at your local paint store.
If you've decided upon a shabby chic look for your home but can't find the perfect piece of aged furniture, create your own. New wood furnishings can be distressed to give the appearance of wear and tear. In just a few days, a brand new wooden chair or table can look like its been around for years. If you really want to make your piece look as if it's had a long life, create dents and scratches using a hammer before you begin the painting process.
Painting items to look like they came from a bygone era is not a difficult process. You can make any item that paint will stick to look primitive or vintage by using a faux painting technique. It only takes a few inexpensive products to create the look on the pieces. Primitive items blend well with country, shabby chic, Southwestern and rustic decor styles. Whether you are transforming a wooden rocking chair, an old milk can or a picture frame, this faux painting technique requires no artistic abilities and little time.
Using veneered furniture is an inexpensive way to decorate your home. Pieces are typically made of particle board and then covered with a thin layer of plastic veneer, sometimes called laminate. Although veneer cannot absorb stain in the same way that traditional wood can, it is possible to spruce up veneered furniture with paint.
Distressing gloss painted furniture to make it look old is almost an art form in itself. There is no right or wrong way to age a piece of furniture because the outcome is purely to the liking of the person doing the distressing. However, there are a few techniques you can use to help you achieve a "period correct" look to your distressing so you don't just look like you have a beat-up piece of furniture.
Acrylic paint is made up of polymers suspended in water. After painting the surface of an object with acrylic paint, the water will evaporate; allowing the polymer to bind to the object. According to GoldenPaints.com, time curing of acrylic paint will require the careful monitoring of ambient temperature and moisture. If using acrylic paints, set aside aside a few weeks for the acrylic paint to properly dry.
Quaint, fanciful, playful furniture brings a smile to people's faces and sets a light-hearted tone for any gathering. Gardens, sun porches, family rooms and patios need a relaxed, fun-promoting atmosphere. A whimsical table helps set that mood. Free your imagination and incorporate fantasy creatures, bright colors, uncommon shapes and broad strokes to create a table that has no equal. Channel your inner Dr. Seuss or call up Tolkien or Sendak.
A dresser set, a furniture combo usually consisting of two large dressers and a nightstand, is an expensive purchase available in any color and finish imaginable. Save money on your next dresser set by purchasing unfinished, scratched or discolored items and painting them yourself. For even greater savings, repaint a favorite old dresser set to match a new decor scheme. This technique works best with wooden dresser sets, but it can be applied to a variety of dresser finishes.
Whether you're trying to match a piece of furniture or just adding a darker color to your space, painting a piece of wood furniture espresso brown is similar to painting any other furniture a dark color. But it does require special preparation, including the application of a tinted primer. Before you paint, check for imperfections in the wood so that you don't wind up with any dings or scratches when you've finished your project.
Having a deer stand that blends into its environment is paramount to a successful deer-hunting expedition. Deer stands hide the hunter and help him assimilate into his surroundings. Deer stands are wooden structures from which you can monitor animal movement around you. Painting a deer stand is the same procedure as painting any other wood structures. It may take a weekend, but you will find it worth the effort as it can make or break a hunting holiday.
Home improvement is a hobby for some and a necessity for many. Doing minor home repairs yourself is a thrifty way to dress up your home while customizing projects to your requirements. Painting and repairing furniture is an easy way to personalize your home without spending a lot of money. With some basic supplies, you can paint and repair furniture giving it a fresh new look for any occasion.
You don't have to wait decades if you want to give a rustic look to your chair. Often having new furniture will make your room look too sterile, so giving them an old look will make any room feel cozier and more welcoming. Giving your furniture an old look yourself will also mean you won't have to spend thousands of dollars on original, aged furniture. It is easy to make any furniture look old with the help of an extra layer of paint and even without expert knowledge.
Glazing is not only easy and beautiful but is one of the most forgiving steps in wood finishing. Effects such as aged wood or the look of certain wood grains can be created using glazes. A hanging glaze refers to adding color to the overall finish of the wood with a glaze that is medium or heavy bodied. The glaze hangs in the crevices and moldings without dripping or wiping out too easily. Hanging glazes are generally used to create a more dramatic look by adding color to the corners, molding, crevices and overall finish of the wood.
A glaze is a type of clear varnish added to the top of a previously painted object. Most glazes are tinted to give the painted object a slightly different color appearance. One of the techniques that uses glaze the most is an antiquing look. A dark color is mixed with the glaze, which absorbs in the grooves of the cabinets, making them look aged. A glaze protects the surface of the wood and helps prevent chipping.
Birdhouses add charm and whimsy to your garden, especially when they are filled with cheerful birds enjoying a bounty of seeds. A birdhouse decorated with colorful green and purple grapevines is a subtle way to flex your decorating muscles, or to personalize your outdoor landscape without distracting from its natural feeling, even if you are not particularly artistic.
Sandblasting is a technique of using air to propel abrasives at high speeds toward a surface. Although sand may be used, commercial sandblasting abrasives include powdered synthetic gems sands, like garnet. Sandblasting can be used to clean rust from small metal objects, like car parts. It can also clean metal furniture, creating a smooth surface for re-finishing. Sandblasting cleans paint, stains and other matter from brick or stone buildings.
Turn plain furniture into show pieces with the proper method of motif painting. Whether refurbishing an old piece or finishing a new one, adding a painted scene to a piece of furniture can turn it into the focal point of a room. Motifs are sometimes added to match a recurring theme in a room or to add color to an otherwise plain area.
In order to make wood furniture resistant to the damaging effects of heat, moisture, weathering and biological infestation, such as termites and mold, our ancestors utilized a number of primitive painting and staining techniques. Of course, the secondary purpose of these techniques was to increase the furniture’s aesthetic value. Whether you are thinking of finishing or re-finishing a piece of furniture in a primitive, antique style, or you simply want to learn about the different techniques, consider the following examples.
Painting wood furniture is useful for bringing new life to tired old pieces, or for livening up dull pieces that you don't like. You can also buy new unfinished furniture at outlet stores and paint it to your tastes. Take your time and don't skip steps when painting furniture; the extra time it takes to do it right is negligible compared to the time you will be living with the result.
Protect newly painted furniture by sealing it with a protective finish. You also can protect older furniture from further wear with a clear finish coat. Choose a glossy finish to highlight new or well-preserved paint. A matte finish lacks shine, so it will not detract from the beauty of softly worn paint. Choose an acrylic finish if you do not know whether the surface is painted with oil or latex. Acrylic finish will adhere to either.
Lacquer paint gives a high gloss, ultra shiny finish that looks great for modern furniture pieces. The biggest difficulty with black lacquer paint is that the high shine of the paint makes it very difficult to hide imperfections in the paint job. Glossier paints are more likely to show every brush stroke and minor mistake. The best way to eliminate this problem is to use spray lacquer. The process will be slightly more expensive, but the furniture will have a flawless black lacquer finish.
A decorative paint technique can give an old, tired piece of furniture an entirely new look. With some paint and a few supplies, any type of furniture, such as wood, laminate, particle board or even plastic, can be transformed into the appearance of an antique treasure, block of marble or even solid gold.
The idea of painting faux wood grain on a surface dates back to ancient Egypt, when pharaohs employed highly skilled craftsmen to create artificial veneers that looked authentic. Today wood grain may be applied in several different ways; the method used will determine the type of wood that your faux finish resembles.
Aged painting techniques add character and a relaxed, informal look to furniture and cabinetry. Even new pieces achieve a level of authentic-looking age with interesting base colors peeking through crackled paint textures. Choose from quick applications of commercially available crackling compounds or opt for a more lengthy, and more richly colored, result by causing crackles with layers of materials available in the paint section of your hardware store.
Painting styles allow the artist or weekend craftsperson to create various looks and finishes. The most basic painting style involves the application of one or more coats of solid-color paint. However, styles involving faux finishes create an exceedingly more interesting product. Faux finish painting styles give the appearance of speckles, shabby-chic wear and even marble.
If you have a limited budget to furnish your space, if you are crafty and like to have projects to complete or if you want to rescue old furniture and sell it for profit, consider painting furniture. Try different painting techniques and surprise yourself with one-of-a-kind creations.
Furnishing your home with country-style furniture makes a house warm and inviting. Window treatments and chairs wear gingham or plaid fabric. Floors are wooden and rustic. Bright paint colors with a rustic appeal characterize country furniture styles. Ideally, pieces should look like they have been lovingly used for a hundred years. There may be small dings and worn paint in the corners. You can create this warm and inviting furniture style with the right paint and tools.
Old and worn furniture can be given a new life with a few coats of paint. While most homeowners have no problem painting wooden furniture, it can be intimidating to paint a piece of furniture made with veneer. However, painting veneer furniture is easy and looks good when finished. Learn how to paint veneered furniture before tackling this project.
Tuscan furniture is characterized by its rustic appearance. Paint is often applied using faux techniques that create a weathered and warm look. Tuscan paint uses earthy shades like burnt orange and clay red. Your piece of Tuscan furniture may need to be updated. Paint can dramatically improve the looks of any furniture piece. Keep within the rustic Tuscan paint colors and style to preserve some of the authenticity of the furniture.
Distressing the finish of a piece of wood furniture lends a subtle, well-used look to the piece. The aged effect is often achieved by sanding the corners and edges of the furniture or using hammers and chains to make dents in the wood. Painting a piece of furniture black and distressing the paint adds a contemporary touch to a room. Whatever piece of furniture you choose, painting it black and distressing it can be accomplished in just a few steps.
Formica has been used for everything from counters to cabinets and even bedroom furniture. Your outdated Formica furniture may no longer be in high style, but it can still have a lot of good years left. Painting is a quick solution for a color that you no longer like or Formica that's chipped and dinged. But approach the paint job with care. Formica is slick and resists paint. Good prep work will make all the difference in getting a good, chip-resistant finish.
Expresso black is a popular color for all sorts of furniture, and the color adds a modern touch to any decor. If you're redecorating or have mismatched furniture, don't rush out to buy new pieces. Take a look at what you already have or visit a yard sale, and turn old furniture items into something that looks brand new. You don't have to be an expert to repaint wood furniture, and the dark hue of expresso black will easily cover old finishes.
Paint can help you create any number of finishes on furniture. Painted furniture with a hand-rubbed look can give an aged and antiqued appearance to furniture. The technique adds an extra layer of color to painted furniture, bringing out a different tone in the paint color and adding visual interest to the piece. Don’t spend hundreds of dollars at high-end furniture stores. The technique is fairly simple and something you can do easily to any piece of furniture you already own or one you find in a flea market.
The colors of the Southwest reflect the colors of the dry earth and the deep clear blue sky that is so prevalent most of the time in the area. This palette has become highly developed in such style-conscious towns as Santa Fe and Sedona, where anything from tennis shoes to beach towels can reflect the popular array of colors. Manufacturers of house paint are also aware of the stylish colors and so nowadays someone painting a piece of furniture in New England, can emulate the desert hues of Arizona.
Furniture painted to look aged can appear to be distressed, well-worn, well-used and to have been around for a long time. It can give furniture the feel of a treasured heirloom and the room in which it stands an aura of comfort and familiarity. There are several techniques to use in painting furniture to look aged that are moderately easy. Experiment with a few techniques to get your desired results.
Mahogany wood is naturally dark. Light-color paints do not fare well on mahogany; purple, black or darker shades of red fare best. To paint mahogany furniture a lighter color, the wood must first be painted with a metallic paint, which makes the wood appear lighter. Some people like to paint mahogany in gold or silver, which are considered metallic. Sometimes clear varnish is all you need to show the natural beauty of the wood.
European-style painted furniture adds a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere to a home. European-style painted furniture is simply wooden furniture that has been painted white or another light, crisp-looking color to reflect a sophisticated and clean feel common in European decorating. Types of painted furniture often used in European decorating are antique or old-fashioned in appearance, or have intricate detail and stylized carvings. Romantic and cheery, decorating your home with painted furniture will show off your polished taste.
Whether you're remodeling a whole room in the rustic style or you're just changing a single piece, you can create the rustic, worn look you're searching for with a variety of different techniques. Rustic style celebrates a simpler time in history and emphasizes natural elements and rougher-looking metals, such as iron.
Cheap furniture can look, well, cheap. Often, inexpensive furniture is made from veneer and low-cost building materials. Adding paint to cheap furniture will help it to look classy without spending a lot of money on new furniture. Although painting cheap furniture is similar to painting any other type of furniture, there are a few extra things that you need to do before you can paint cheap furniture.
Vintage furniture is furniture that accurately represents or comes from a certain time period. Vintage furniture can come from any past time period, the 1700s or the 1960s. Many homeowners own vintage furniture. However, just because some of your home furnishings are vintage furniture, that doesn't mean you can't bring it up to date with a coat of paint. Learn how to paint your vintage furniture for a modern look.
Techniques for furniture distressing are important when trying to keep a realistic look for your furniture. Create distressed looking furniture with techniques from an interior designer in this free video on creating furniture.
Give new life to a flea market find or rescue that aubergine end table from consignment to the curb with some simple preparation and a new paint job. Unfinished wood furniture is even easier to transform into a showpiece. You'll need a little time and an undisturbed workspace protected from dust and other dirt that could ruin the finish of wet paint. But painting furniture is one of the easiest decorating jobs you can tackle.
Looking for a way to spice up your current home decor? Painting a grapevine design on otherwise obsolete furnishings can provide the necessary style to harmonize any room in the house. Accenting a room in this way will not only result in appreciable budget savings but also impart a distinguished, distinctive atmosphere.
Cane, rattan and wicker are all types of woven furniture that tend to be grouped together with similar maintenance and issues. Most cane furniture is sold with a paint or clear finish. When the furniture ages, the finish often discolors, becomes dirty, chipped or scraped off. The first step to reviving your furniture is to clean it thoroughly.
Distressed furniture is a designer favorite, as older pieces give a room a sense of warmth, character and history; however, the recent popularity of the shabby chic design aesthetic has made purchasing authentic, distressed antique furniture somewhat cost prohibitive. Fortunately, your average department store piece or garage sale find can be quickly transformed with a simple paint technique.
Animal prints are often used in home decor as bold and interesting patterns in wall art, window treatments, fabrics and accessories. They can also be used to add a vibrant and dynamic look to ordinary furniture. Consider using animal prints on dressers, tables, wood paneling and built-ins or even as accents to seating. Painting animal prints on furniture is an inexpensive way to make a bold statement in a room.
Furniture glaze is a slow-drying, translucent substance; it comes either colored or clear and ready to be custom tinted. Blending a darker shade of glaze into the pattern work, inside corners and decorative grooves of furniture imparts an antique or "faux finish" to the piece. It also adds warmth and dimension. Glaze-finishing your own furniture is less expensive than professional glazing, and it allows you to finish the piece to your own taste.
Moroccan décor is a popular choice for both traditional and contemporary home design. The furniture of this style is typically ornate and one-of-a-kind, featuring intricate woodwork and hand-painted patterns. To replicate Moroccan style on your own piece of furniture, it just requires a few basic materials and steps. Even ordinary pieces of furniture can take on a new life with Moroccan-style paint.
Whether you are looking for a new look for old furniture or an entirely fresh start, painted outdoor furniture can create a sense of homey comfort on a patio or lawn. The techniques in this article are an example for decorating metal furniture. A few simple steps will help you add designs you can enjoy for summers to come. Using stencils of herbal designs, this project is easily accomplished by even the most inexperienced painter or artist.
If you are painting new furniture, you will need to take a few important preparation steps first. Because the furniture is new, it will have to be conditioned to accept paint; otherwise, the paint will chip and flake over time. In addition, you will need to determine if the new furniture is coated with varnish. If so, you must remove this slick layer, or you will have no chance at paint adhesion.
Everyone has old furniture that has become tired and boring. It probably sits in a storage building or a closet hiding from visitors. The only reason it's there in the first place is because it most likely holds some sort of sentimental value. A great way to revamp your old, tired furniture is to give it a funky paint design. This is a whimsical project the whole family can enjoy.
Glaze can be added to paint to give the final product luster. Glaze doesn't work as well alone, because it reacts better mixed with the paint or mineral spirits. Glaze makes the pigment color within paint shine. This is especially useful when using glaze for furniture, because it saves time in the painting process from having to add a coat of varnish to achieve additional shine. Some paints that have a natural glaze may not have a unique color. When using a glaze, most colors can be achieved my mixing in tinted paints.
Adding a coat of paint to an old chair, dresser or other piece of tired furniture can make it look brand new. Often, the painted furniture will look better than new since it's customized to match your own décor. You can really jazz up a piece of recycled furniture by adding a few designs as well, either freehand or with a stencil. Painting furniture is well worth the effort, and it can be an easier solution than refinishing.
Milk paint is made with actual milk, and has been used for several hundred years. Its eco-friendly aspect makes it appealing to green consumers, since it is biodegradable, nontoxic, and odorless. Milk paint is often used in making reproduction furniture in order to replicate older colors.
Rutan or rattan is a tropical palm that grows like a vine, clinging to other vegetation in the forest. The moist rattan can be bent to shape tables, chairs and other pieces of furniture and accessories. When dried, rattan retains its shape. The words "rattan" and "wicker" are sometimes used interchangeably, but "wicker" is the actual design or weaving of materials, like rattan, to make furniture. When painting rattan furniture, follow the preparation and painting guidelines for wicker furniture.
Dark antiquated furniture is elegant and versatile. Antique black furniture finishes go well with elegant motifs as well as eclectic and country themes. Whether you are working on a new piece or a restoration, applying an antique black finish adds breadth and character. While the end result looks like it took many hours to accomplish, the process is both simple and inexpensive.
Once a piece of furniture has been painted, the sheen level may be a little different than expected. Perhaps the paint is too glossy instead of the light sheen imagined. The paint used may have been flat, leaving no visible sheen at all. A variety of quick paint tips can add an even, light sheen to furniture. From adding a coat of polyurethane to simply buffing the furniture using a sanding sponge, follow these quick fixes for an even light sheen.
Even if your budget doesn't allow you the luxury of shopping in antique malls for diamonds in the rough, you can have the look of antique furnishings for little to no expense. With very few supplies and little experience, you can paint your existing furniture to have the look of an antique just by using a few antique furniture painting techniques. The aged look of antiques can result from use, sunlight, humidity, and temperature fluctuations, so your technique should try to mimic these factors to give your furniture a warm and welcoming look.
You can paint a faux wood grain pattern onto nearly any piece of furniture, regardless of the materials the piece is made from. Metal cabinets can be made to look as though they are constructed of fine wood. Plastic and resin chairs can be wood grained, too. Even furniture that has been painted so many times that the natural wood grain is no longer visible can be restored, in a sense, without time consuming paint stripping. There are many wood graining tools available to make this faux finish.
The United States is known as a throwaway society. In poorer economic times, however, consumers have begun conserving and recycling items, including furniture. Furniture made of solid wood rather than laminates can be refinished to near-new and sometimes better-than-new condition, with the commitment of time and a variety of processes.
If Dr. Seuss, Willy Wonka and Pippi Longstocking formed their own furniture design company, the results would range from interesting to insane. Staying on the whimsical side of the line when painting furniture is a challenge. One person's whimsy is another's "I can't believe that's in your house." Before you can design and paint whimsical furniture, you must give your creative side free rein.
Oak furniture, with its hardness and characteristic raised grain, is a valuable investment in the home. Because it lasts for years or even generations, painting oak furniture when you want to change decor or protect its finish can save money compared to purchasing new furniture. Adapt your painting technique to whether the furniture is finished or unfinished.
The right color of paint can transform ordinary looking wood furniture into something amazing. However, because they do not know the proper preparation and application techniques, many amateur do-it-yourselfers end up applying sloppy-looking finishes that chip and peel over time. If you plan to paint Gustavian furniture, you need to know the techniques that help to promote attractive, long-lasting results.
Transform your ordinary wood furniture into French flea market-style "antiques" with a bit of paint and simple finishing techniques. According to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, French-style decor is characterized by elegance mixed with rustic details and distressed surface finishes. Typical French country colors include soft shades of blue, yellow and white. French-style painted furniture adds warmth and charm to contemporary decor. It's easy to do, inexpensive and a perfect way to recycle old furniture.
Early American furniture falls into several categories that were influenced by European craftsmen. Your ability to find and identify the specific styles of furniture could untangle a piece of American history. There are several characteristics that are key to identifying the specific styles and periods. Early American Furniture was handcrafted during the period between 1640 to the 1700 in the colonies.
The popularity of chic vintage furniture has led to a rise in prices, making it difficult for many homeowners to purchase authentic items. Fortunately, many manufacturers now offer inexpensive, easy to find reproductions of furniture from nearly any era. To enhance the vintage look, consider distressing your wooden reproduction pieces.
Mexican-styled furniture has grown immensely in popularity in the last decade. Known for its rustic-looking materials and textures combined with bright washes of warm color, the Spanish-influenced pieces suggest exotic and tropical locales. While authentic imports are most easily acquired in the southwestern United States and Florida, reproduction Mexican furniture is becoming more widespread and bargain hunters can often find antique varieties that only need some TLC to become spectacular additions to your home and garden. Take a beat-up antique to the next level with a little fresh paint.
Painting furniture espresso brown gives you a new and modern look without purchasing new furniture. The espresso brown color can be used with many different colors to create a vast array of decor ideas for any room in your house. Before painting the furniture prepare it properly to ensure a durable and lasting finish that you can be proud of because you have created it yourself.
Painting a dresser can improve the look of an older dresser itself and the look of the room that the dresser is placed. Dressers are beaten upon on a daily basis as they are opened, closed, banged against, pulled, pushed, and moved thousands of times in their lifetime. Preparing and painting a dresser is the first step in creating a different design with your color choice, as well as protects the dresser from deterioration to give you many more years of usage.
While many do-it-yourselfers choose to slather their pine furniture with stain, others prefer to infuse color by applying a coat of paint. Unfortunately, many amateurs bypass important preparation steps critical to creating a long-lasting finish. If you plan to paint pine furniture, you need to know both the proper preparation techniques that contribute to durability and the proper application process for overall esthetics.
Laminated furniture is durable and has a smooth finish. These two qualities make a change in style relatively easy. Painting laminated furniture is a quick, inexpensive way to get a new look in a room.
Furniture that is painted to mimic Oriental style is usually painted with lacquer paint. Lacquer paint is a durable and very glossy paint that gives the effect that the furniture has been dipped in enamel. You can create a piece of furniture that looks like it is from the Orient by using lacquer paint.
Refurbish furniture by adding dark espresso paint to the surface for a polished, modern look. Use a rich dark umber latex paint available at home improvement centers --- 1 qt. of paint will cover 100 square feet of flat surface. Semi-gloss paint is recommended for a slightly higher sheen, ease of cleaning and durability. Don't forget to keep paint to add color to coordinating accent pieces such as picture frames, lamps and even artwork to pull the room's new color scheme together.
Painted furniture requires a proper sealant to protect it against the elements. Your armrests, table legs, desk drawers and dresser drawers deserve a good topcoat of quality finish to keep their rich colors looking bright and lasting long. A premium finisher, one that protects against weathering and scratching, will save time and money on repairs in the future.
Matching your furniture with paint and carpet colors is they key to creating a coordinated room design. Matching does not have to mean choosing similar colors. Designers often choose colors that are polar opposites but that complement each other and the total design. Using basic color theory that opposite colors are complementary will help you create a harmonious design without needing to find upholstery that perfectly matches your paint or carpet. Complementary colors accent one another without being identical, creating an overall aesthetic appearance that is coordinated without looking flat or boring.
Beach furniture can be an attractive addition to any area in your home, but you will want to take special care if you plan to use it outdoors. Beach furniture comes in a variety of materials suitable for a multitude of purposes. Blue and white are a colorful addition to your decorating scheme and will no doubt provide a casual atmosphere with images of seaside relaxation for the entire family to enjoy.
While it may have been around at the time of King Tut, according to The Woodbin.com, milk paint is also an ideal furniture finish for the eco-conscious 21st century. Containing all-natural ingredients, including casein (milk curds), lime, and earth pigments, milk paint is biodegradable. Milk paint will add authenticity to period furniture. Odor-free, it dries quickly to a tough matte finish and requires neither a primer nor sealer if applied to sanded wood. Making your own milk paint is reasonably easy.
Even the rattiest furniture can become a masterpiece if you use a little ingenuity. One way to showcase that ingenuity is to paint furniture that is green with pink and white polka dots. This motif works especially well in a little girl's room, although it could translate well to just about any room that needs a funky touch.
Painting your existing furniture a different color can breathe new life into old furniture that would have otherwise been tossed out. If you are trying to achieve a modern look to your living space, then painting the furniture gray can be a quick and easy transformation to give you the update you are looking for. By investing a little time and a little money in the things you already have, you gain the satisfaction of knowing that you are not only recycling, but creating furnishings that are completely unique to you.
Asian furniture styles are often associated with a multi-layered lacquer finish. Although you can use almost any color for lacquer furniture, the most common colors are black, red or yellow. Many pieces are primarily black with accents in red or yellow and often both. Lacquer is a good, hard surface once dry. Although lacquer is usually applied commercially using a spray system, you can obtain very good results with a brush-based lacquer. Be sure to keep some lacquer thinner on hand in case your lacquer becomes too thick during use.
Painting children's furniture is a way to personalize your child's room with her favorite colors, characters or theme. Whether you are refurbishing old furniture or painting unfinished furniture, this is a process you can do easily with some simple tools at home with very little effort. Be sure to use paint that is safe for children and that does not contain any lead, and paint in a well-ventilated area away from your child.
Painting a piece of wooden furniture is not difficult. Sand and properly prime the furniture before you apply the final paint coat. The primer will help to keep the paint from chipping and will keep any old stains that are in the wood from showing through the new paint. Priming a piece of furniture may take a little extra time, but by doing so, the finished product will look professional, and the paint job will last longer.
PVC furniture is made by connecting various pieces of PVC tubing together into the shape of a chair, bench or any other piece of furniture. PVC tubing is typically white with manufacturer's markings that can be painted to add color and a bit of texture to the piece of furniture. You can easily apply paint to PCV pipe by first making sure that all of the prep work has been completed first.
When you have a situation where the shape and size of the furniture is perfect but the color is not, you may choose to paint it. A common mistake made after painting furniture is forgetting to seal the paint. If you don't seal it, you might see nasty water rings, nicks and scratches over time. Using a clear polyurethane to seal the paint will add years to the furniture.
Color washing gives furniture a soft, antique finish. You can create different effects by altering paint combinations. Most color washing for furniture starts with a light or white base coat. A wash coat that is lighter than the base will result in a sun-bleached appearance. A darker wash coat will mimic distressing. Both finishes are executed the same way.
Cottage style is light and airy with colors taken from a garden palette: shades of green, rose, sky blue, sandy tan and crisp white. Cottage decor should be comfortable and have a lived-in look. Painted or decorated furniture is a hallmark of the style, and most often it is painted white. Give pieces that have seen better days a new usefulness and freshness with a coat of white paint. Preparation is the key for an easy and professional looking paint job.
Good, sturdy furniture can be expensive. If you have nice pieces that are beginning to look shabby, drab or outdated, giving them a fresh coat of white paint can make you fall in love with them all over again. Of course, you may not want to paint Grandma's antique dresser, since original finishes are part of what gives antiques their value. But if you have a standard piece that you're thinking about replacing, a little paint may save you a lot of expense.
Begin with a cleaned, sanded and primed metal surface before adding a paint technique to metal furniture. Spraying painting works better than brushing when painting metal furniture. Always use spray paint primer made for metal surfaces; most spray paint manufacturers will have one. These primers allow metal to be painted with a regular spray paint. Seal metal surfaces and finishes with a non-yellowing polyurethane sealer.
Rustic interior designs work to create calm and relaxing environments that take their inspiration from nature itself. Rustic designs incorporate the rough side of nature, utilizing its irregular and coarse appearance to create a warm, cozy feel to a room. When considering using a rustic furniture paint technique, the goal is to avoid shiny modern techniques and keep colors warm and subdued with rough or distressed looks.
Painting your existing furniture is an easy and inexpensive way to add new life to your home decor. For a different look, try painting it silver.
Distressed furniture is quite costly when purchased. By using one or more of several techniques, you can achieve a distressed look and save money. If you are doing several pieces, try to coordinate the look by doing similar techniques. If you look at old furniture, you'll see the finish is often worn in areas that get the most use. Before you begin your project think about where your piece would naturally begin showing wear. Go to antique shops and note wear patterns. If you see a specific piece you really like, take pictures so you can replicate the look.
Distressing furniture is an easy way to make something look antique. By using simple techniques, furniture can take on a whole new life through the artificial aging process. Transform an entire room or just one piece at a time. The techniques are forgiving and easy, and can be done in an afternoon.
Many new furniture pieces have been distressed or "aged" in order to achieve an antique look. Real antique or aged furniture is usually quite expensive, so learning different aging techniques on new or nearly new furniture can save money while still achieving the same look. Two techniques used in aging furniture are distressing and crackle, both of which can be implemented at home with little cost.
Skipping the cleaning and prep work can cause paint finishes to peel, scratch and never harden correctly. Although actually stripping furniture to remove the old finish is not always necessary, cleaning off dirt and residue and then lightly sanding the sheen off the old finish usually is. Paint needs to attach itself to the surface of the furniture in order to harden and remain intact. Clean and prepare furniture before attempting these DIY furniture painting techniques.
Yard sales, flea markets, and classified ads are some of the best places to find inexpensive solid wood furniture. Sometimes refinishing and painting these pieces of furniture is necessary to make the old furniture look like new. Stripping the old finish and painting the furniture a color to match your décor is an economical way to redecorate your home with "new" furniture.
You can spruce up a headboard with a piece of beloved fabric or reinvent a bland living room with bold colors. All you need to upholster your furniture with bright new designs is a little creativity and a bit of work. It can be a messy job, but particularly on simple furniture pieces, reupholstering is a task most do-it-yourselfers can easily manage.
Reviving old furniture can be easily accomplished using paint and a variety of decorative painting techniques. While decorative painting is commonly associated with walls and ceilings, the techniques can be transferred to furniture surfaces. Before painting, always clean and wash furniture and remove all drawers and doors for easy access.
In order to paint furniture in a way that makes it look older than it actually is, use antiquing methods. Antiquing paint methods are an inexpensive way to make it appear as if your home is filled with valuable antique furniture. You can use a few different paint methods to achieve the antique look you are after.
Furniture ages over the years just as people do. Scratches, dings, and stains are the age spots of wooden pieces. Fading and outdated colors can plague outdoor plastic furniture, and metal pieces can suffer from rust. Paint, applied correctly to these old surfaces, can act like a spa treatment and create a brand new piece you will be excited to add to your space.
Whether you found a great deal at a yard sale or thrift store or you are just tired of the same old bedroom furniture, it can be quite simple to paint your furniture a new lease on life. There are several inexpensive painting techniques that even a novice can use. The type of finish you choose for a wood project will determine the amount of preparation you must do; metal should be stripped fully. Your painted finish will adhere better to a properly prepared surfac --lightly sand or thoroughly strip depending on your choice of finish.
Transform your old metal outdoor furniture with a fresh coat of paint. Painting metal outdoor furniture is simply a process of proper cleaning techniques, followed by an application of primer and then finishing with one or two coats of paint and polyurethane. Whether you spray, roll or brush on your color, painting your outdoor furniture will brighten up your patio.
Making a basic bookcase is easy. With some general guidelines and a good dose of creativity, a simple bookcase project can be a fun way to make a creative piece of custom furniture. There are two general tricks to successfully making a bookcase. One is to find very straight, very high-quality lumber. Cheaper lumber that twists makes keeping shelves straight more difficult. The other trick is to measure everything very carefully. Although a board that is too long can be re-cut, it is more difficult to work with a board that has already been cut too short.
Hand-painted furniture was first created more than 3,000 years ago in China and reached its peak in France during the reign of Louis XVI. Today, furniture painting techniques include faux finishing, stylized nature images, village scenes and wide variety of folk art styles. Whimsical modern art is also depicted on furniture.
Whitewashing is actually a form of faux finishing. Whitewashing provides a translucent white color on top of a darker base color. You can find this type of finish on all types of furniture, cabinets, doors and even window shutters. Whitewashing gives your project a unique rustic look. There are some very easy to do techniques for whitewashing.
Depending on the quality of the paint used on your furniture, you may actually have to do very little to protect it. If the paint is high-quality and applied evenly over a base of primer, you don't have to do much but wipe the furniture down with a damp cloth now and again. However, if you're unsure of the quality of the paint used, you may want to take a few steps to protect the durability and beauty of your painted furniture. A quick and thorough cleaning, plus a final top-coat of lacquer, is all you need to protect your…
Decorating furniture with paint is a great option to staining wood. Whether it's for a kid's room, living room or kitchen, a decorative finish can add interest to a piece of furniture and inspire an entire room. Learn a few painting options to transform your furniture.
Painted furniture can add color and continuity to a room. If you've inherited your furniture, then this might be the right look for you. It's also the answer to decorating a room on a budget. With a little elbow grease, you can create a custom matching set. No one will know that friends and family donated their old items from their basements or attics. Painted furniture is often featured in decorating magazines and you can get the same look in your own home.
Whitewashing furniture is a great way to achieve a slightly antiqued look with furniture that may not be very old. It is a popular decorating technique used with French country or beach cottage decor. Whitewashing painted furniture can be done so that the paint shows under the white, or the paint can be removed entirely first. Either way, all it takes is some time and effort.
Whitewashing furniture creates a gentle distressed or antiqued look by simply applying whitewash or watered down white paint to your furniture. Whitewashed furniture is popular in country or cottage-style homes and decor. It is possible to whitewash painted furniture, but it takes time and the steps vary depending on the look you want to achieve.
Parawood, also known as rubberwood, is used primarily in the manufacturing of furniture. This particular wood features a light color and dense grain; and is a favorite because it is considered environmentally friendly. Because of the density of this wood, staining is the best option.
Do you love that antique, weathered look of crackle paint furniture? The warm, 'worn' look of one color of paint showing through the cracks of the top layer of another makes one think of salt sprayed beach houses, grandma's creaky kitchen, and sitting on an old wooden porch on a lazy summer afternoon sipping home brewed sweet iced tea from a mason jar. If you want to give YOUR boring or dated furniture a 'face lift' with a crackle paint finish it's easier than you might think! Read on to learn the simple steps of refurbishing furniture with crackle paint.
Antique painted furniture has a lovely aged aura. It makes one wonder where it has been. Who loved you? Where have you traveled? Who built you, took care of you? And now you are mine and I will love you. If you want to have this look, you can make your painted furniture have a warm, aged feel by creating it yourself.
Garage sale finds become eye-catching additions in your home with just a little patience. It takes time to remove old finishes, repair and prepare the surface for paint, and wait for each coat to dry. The trick is to take the surface down to bare wood so you can begin to re-coat it to please yourself. The results are well worth it.
The techniques used for whitewashing furniture are also referred to as pickling, and these techniques are used to achieve an effect of a semi-transparent, light finish over wood. Bring new life into a piece of old furniture with help from a professional carpenter in this free video on home remodeling.
Do you have old furniture that needs a fresh look? Or is your furniture just not looking as appealing as it use to? Buying brand new furniture isn't always an affordable option, but you do have options to making it look new and appealing again. With just a little time and paint, you can turn your old drab furniture into a modern look that will brighten any room.
The trendy peeling paint look on furniture looks as if it should take years, but this technique can easily be accomplished in a weekend. Check out local auctions, flea markets and thrift stores for furniture with good bones. Many times a piece of furniture will be overlooked because the finish is too outdated or just plain ugly. Snap up these finds for pennies and add that peeling paint look.
Medium density fiberboard provides several issues when it comes to painting. It usually comes laminated when it is used in pre-made furniture, and it is a porous material. So instead of the paint staying on the outside where you want it, the paint sinks into the board leaving an uneven surface. With a little prep work, though, fiberboard furniture can be painted with as flawless a finish as any other type of wood.
Distressed furniture adds a great touch to any room trying to achieve an old world, country, natural, or shabby-chic look. It's easy to distress furniture, and there are several different ways that you can do it and different materials you can use. You may choose to do only one of these distressing treatments, or to combine a couple of them for a very aged and weathered looking piece.
Distressed furniture is a way to take newer furniture and make it look old or weathered. This type of look is most often found in shabby chic and French country decor. Many specialty stores and boutiques sell distressed furniture that is highly priced. This type of furniture can easily be reproduced with a little paint and a few techniques.
Redoing a room in Spanish style can be cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, there are a wealth of paints, glazes, tricks and tools in craft stores that can help decorators create the Spanish look without laying out a bunch of Euros. Some sweat equity and a bit of vision will help you lend your home some old world charm.
A coat of paint can breathe new life into an old, worn out piece of furniture. But what if you want to make a new piece of furniture look old? It's as easy making a trip to your favorite hardware store and choosing two complimentary colors of paint. Painting furniture to look primitive or distressed is a matter of painting one color onto the piece as a base, and a second color on as an overlay. The trick is knowing how to make the base color show through the overlay in strategic areas, to give the piece an antiqued look.
Antique furniture adds instant class to any room. Unfortunately the cost of such beautiful pieces can add an instant crunch to the wallet, and waiting for the pieces to age themselves can take years. These issues no longer need to be an obstacle. Faux painting techniques are easy to use and the supplies are available at most hardware stores. Furniture antiquing is simple. This step-by-step guide will show you how to use faux paint to create beautiful looking antique furniture.
The obvious solution to avoiding brush marks while painting furniture is not to use a brush at all but instead to use spray paint. However, spray paint poses its own difficulties, such as a tendency to drip and coat unevenly. If you are committed to using a paintbrush, there are techniques that can help avoid brush marks. Consider practicing on a piece of scrap lumber before you try painting your furniture.
Give an old wooden table or hand-me down dresser new life with a colorful paint-rub finish. It is quick, easy and looks great. An excellent way to add a pop of color to your living space without losing the warmth of the wood.
If you have particleboard furniture that's starting to look a little sad, you might be wondering if a coat of paint would bring it back to life. The good news is that it is possible to paint particleboard furniture. The not so good news is that there are some steps that you have to take before you can paint it if you expect the paint to adhere and look good. It's really not that hard though, here are some tips to get you started.
If you found the perfect bedroom set at a great price at a garage sale or at the thrift store, but you would rather have it painted a color instead of having that faux wood finish, you can easily paint it and decorate it anyway you want to. You'll have to spend a little extra money on the primer so that it will adhere to the surface of the pressboard furniture. Unlike wood, pressboard finishes do not allow complete absorption of the paint onto the surface, so the special primers are necessary to make sure that the paint adheres permanently.
Repainting furniture can add new life to old pieces. In the process, you can also get rid of nicks, scratches or unsightly finishes that the pieces might have. Painting furniture white seems easy; however, it takes time and patience and can be labor intensive. A white piece of furniture can add to romantic decor. A room filled with white furniture, especially when appliques are applied, creates a comforting, homey environment and also adds a brightness to a room.
Laminate furniture is produced when a thin sheet of plastic laminate is adhered to a piece of particle board. The particle board is what gives the furniture piece its stability, while the laminate serves more of an aesthetic purpose. Laminated particle board is commonly used in the production of office furniture, shelving, cabinets and bedroom furniture, because it is durable and economical. If you have laminate furniture, and have recently redecorated, you may be wondering if you can paint your pieces to match. The answer is yes, and it is very easy to do.
Painting outdoor furniture is easy if you choose the correct paint. Within an hour or two, outdoor furniture can look new and have added life from a bit of elbow grease and paint.
The antique look is a popular furnishing trend. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford real antiques. Consequently, they look for ways of giving their own furniture the look without the price attached to it. This can be done my using sandpaper to scrape away some of the furniture's finish or by giving furniture a crackled finish.
You love the new outdoor set of furniture you found at the thrift store. But you hate its disgusting brown color. Not to fret, you can paint rattan furniture with a few swipes of a brush. Well, it takes more like a ton of swipes, pats and touch-ups with a brush, but it’s not an impossible task. You can paint rattan furniture any color of the rainbow, or include the whole rainbow, with a few simple tips.
Adding a fresh coat of paint to an old piece of furniture will update the look of the piece for just pennies on the dollar. Refinishing furniture is an easy task well worth the results. Once you master this skill, you will not have to buy new furniture to change the look of your home.