How to Refinish Furniture

Blue refinished side table

Project Overview

It could be a curb alert find needing a facelift or an heirloom decor piece that’s grown a little dull over the years, but time spent refinishing your wooden furniture is almost never time wasted.  Though sometimes tedious, the refinishing process is a fairly straight-forward one especially if you’ve narrowed down the finish you’d like to achieve.  We’ll break down what tools to use, how to prep, and what finishing steps to take to ensure your piece stays looking pristine for as long as possible.

Skill Level
Beginner
Active Time
2 to 10+ hours (varies by furniture size and finishing technique)
Total Time
Up to a few days (based on finishing technique & dry times)

Supplies in the Character Furniture Refinishing Kit

Here are the supplies you'll need to refinish your wood furniture.

n95 mask
N95 mask
Sanding sponges
Sanding sponges
plastic drop cloth
Drop cloth
5-in-1 painter's tool
5-in-1 painter's tool
wood filler
Wood filler
microfiber rags
Microfiber rag
paint brush
Paint brush

Additional supplies needed

Stock up on these supplies too!

paint or stain can
Paint or stain
wood finish can
Wood finish
character screwdriver
Screwdriver
Character green painters tape
Painters tape
3
Paint roller
paint tray
Paint tray
Orbital sander (optional)
Tips Before Getting Started

Instructions

When you're ready to start, follow the guide below for step-by-step instructions. P.S. Don't forget to snap a before photo of your space to capture your transformation!