{"id":4071,"date":"2019-08-12T10:20:08","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T16:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/?p=4071"},"modified":"2019-08-13T11:24:03","modified_gmt":"2019-08-13T17:24:03","slug":"how-to-restore-your-favorite-second-hand-furniture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/how-to-restore-your-favorite-second-hand-furniture","title":{"rendered":"How To Restore Your Favorite Second Hand Furniture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Estate sales can be one of the best places to find high-quality, unique, beautiful furniture for an affordable price. That said, furniture items often undergo a lot of wear and tear with every year of their life. Whether it\u2019s a coffee table covered with water stain rings or a dresser missing a few drawers, older furniture often needs a little love. Even if it’s in perfect shape, second hand furniture might not fit your aesthetic or the color scheme in your living room despite its beautiful design<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This couch is a perfect example of beautiful design and bones that have suffered some major damage. Image courtesy of I Restore Stuff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The good news is that those water stains, outdated colors and missing dresser drawers don\u2019t have to keep you from purchasing and enjoying a piece of furniture that you love. Basic furniture restoration is not only easy to learn and complete, it can also be a fun and rewarding process. Furthermore, there are a lot of reasons to spruce up that estate sale find<\/a> find rather than purchasing a new piece. If it has great bones, it can be brought back to life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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With some paint and new upholstery, Sharon Hankins at I Restore Stuff brought this couch back to life!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why Is Upcycled Furniture Better?<\/span><\/h1>\n

One word: quality. \u201cWe all know the old saying, \u2018They don’t make them like they used to,\u2019” says Amy Nelson of <\/span>Upcycling by Amy<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt has never been more true. In the world of IKEA and furniture built of veneer and plywood, the days of hardwood pieces seems to be behind us as far as something that is readily available on the market.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Older furniture often has sturdier workmanship. Image courtesy of Atomic Age Modern.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bob Kennedy, owner of <\/span>Atomic Age Modern<\/span><\/a> & SFV Furniture Restoration in Mesa, Arizona, agrees that older furniture is often better constructed with more sturdy materials. \u201cQuality new furniture is certainly available today, but the cost for that quality is considerable,\u201d he says. \u201cMany believe that today’s designs can never compare to vintage design, as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Many people find vintage designs, like the curvy face of this dresser, more appealing than modern ones. Image courtesy of Upcycling by Amy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Robin Ware, owner and creator of The WareHouse Market<\/a>, agrees that character is the best thing about second hand furniture. \u201cEvery older piece of furniture has its own unique qualities that make it different than any other piece,\u201d she says. \u201cMaybe it\u2019s the design or the materials, maybe it\u2019s the nicks and scratches\u2014in any case, you know you have a piece that no one else has. An older piece of furniture brings history into your living space along with memories you may have had or ones you create to make the piece even more personal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Furniture restoration is popular in part because older pieces have more character. Image courtesy of The WareHouse Market.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sharon Hankins, owner of <\/span>I Restore Stuff<\/span><\/a>, adds that another important benefit of upcycled<\/a> furniture is the reduced environmental impact. \u201cI like the idea that we are helping our environment when we can re-purpose and recycle items rather than throwing them away,\u201d she says. Whatever your reason for restoring it, a sturdy piece of second hand furniture, found at an estate sale<\/a> or elsewhere,\u00a0 can end up being a well-loved and beautiful item for the home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Choose the Best Second Hand Furniture<\/span><\/h1>\n

If you find a piece of beaten-up furniture that was cheap to begin with, it\u2019s likely to make the restoration process much more difficult and less rewarding. One of the key steps of furniture restoration is choosing something with \u201cgood bones\u201d\u2014but what does that mean, exactly?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Choosing a good item to begin with is an important part of the furniture restoration process. Image courtesy of Upcycling by Amy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Consider Your Furniture Restoration Skills<\/span><\/h2>\n

When choosing a good piece of second hand furniture for a restoration project, you\u2019re going to need to consider your skill set. Some issues are considered too much work even for a professional. \u201cLook for red flags like surface bubbling, water damage, sand-throughs on the veneer or sagging tops,\u201d says Kennedy. \u201cThose issues are difficult to repair.\u201d If something looks freshly and completely painted, that can be a cause for concern if you are hoping to restore it. \u201cThey may have been painted to hide extensive damage,\u201d Kennedy says. \u201cIt takes a lot of time to refinish a painted piece back to original as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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A lushly restored nightstand from Atomic Age Modern.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a beginner, the best items will be basic furniture with little ornamentation. \u201cStay away from blotch-prone woods like pine, cherry, maple and birch\u2014those woods require more advanced finishing techniques,\u201d says Kennedy. He adds that teak and walnut can be good \u201cbeginner\u201d woods for furniture restoration projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check The Back and Bottom<\/span><\/h2>\n
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A funky restored desk by The WareHouse Market.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nelson says that a common misconception is that second hand furniture with veneer can’t be restored. \u201cThe truth is that most antiques you see at the flea market or antique store are actually solid wood covered in a veneer,\u201d she says. To identify if a piece is entirely veneer or solid wood covered in veneer, Nelson says to look at the back of the piece. \u201cAlong the top, if you see a thin, usually darker line, that is a veneer,\u201d she says. \u201cSame with drawers. If you flip them over, you will see a thin line if there is a veneer on the fronts. These can still be refinished, but you must be extra careful when sanding to not break thru the thin layer of wood.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A restored coffee table from Atomic Age Modern.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hila Reicks, woodworker and owner of <\/span>Chic Doctor Upcycled Furniture<\/span><\/a>, also advises shoppers to look at the back and bottom of the piece to assess its quality. She warns beginners against working with flimsier furniture that isn\u2019t solid wood. \u201cMany items are made of plywood or MDF and are covered with veneer,\u201d she says. \u201cIn this case deep scratches and breaks are a lot harder to repair. If you look at the bottom of a piece or the back and you still see the wood grain, there are much higher chances you’re looking at a solid wood piece of furniture and your work restoring it would be simpler.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Hand Furniture\u2019s Finish & Function<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Water stains, like the one on this table, are a pretty easy fix. Image courtesy of Atomic Age Modern.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cosmetic issues are often the easiest to fix, so don\u2019t let those scare you away from an otherwise beautiful piece of second hand furniture<\/a>. \u201cDon’t be intimidated by water marks and scratches,\u201d says Nelson. \u201cMany, if not all of these, will come out with a good sanding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Moving parts, like the swing on this mirror, need to be checked carefully when seeking a piece to restore. Image courtesy of Vintage Elegance Decor<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Outside of a piece\u2019s finish, it\u2019s important to check the function of various moving parts. \u201cMake sure the piece is structurally sound if you don’t have intention for repairs,\u201d Nelson says. \u201cThis can include checking to make sure all the drawers slide nicely and are not wiggly at the corners.\u201d That said, some repairs are simple and shouldn\u2019t make you write off a piece that you love. \u201cThings like loose legs can be reglued easily and shouldn’t be a concern,\u201d says Kennedy. Hankins says that dove tail joints can be a sign of a good workmanship, and she also adds that it\u2019s important to \u201clook all over the piece for missing parts or sections, as sometimes these are hard to replace.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The above mirror vanity, completely restored! Image courtesy of Vintage Elegance Decor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Basic Techniques for Furniture Restoration<\/span><\/h1>\n

The basic process for furniture restoration is three steps: 1) cleaning, 2) stripping with a chemical stripper or sander, and 3) finishing with a seal and topcoat. \u201cYour first goal should be to master the basic process: strip, sand, seal, topcoat,\u201d says Kennedy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choosing Products for Furniture Restoration\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When working with second hand furniture, you need to be careful when selecting what materials you use for cleaning and stripping, as well as the materials you use for sealing in all your hard work! \u201cThe types of products used for refinishing vary,\u201d says Kennedy. A lot of your purchasing decisions for what products to use will be specific to a given project, but there are some key rules to keep in mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A maple wood vanity table before restoration. Image courtesy of Time Reversed<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kennedy, who is an advocate for industry-standard lacquer finishes, says that most American furniture from the 1930’s through present day were finished with lacquer. For this reason, he advises against using popular “miracle” products, scratch cover products or other products containing wax or silicone, because they can cause harm to old lacquer finishes. \u201cI don’t recommend them,\u201d he says. \u201cDanish oil or teak oil also should not be used on lacquer finishes. What should be used on lacquer finishes? Fresh lacquer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The same maple vanity table after a good sanding, staining and sealing. Image courtesy of Time Reversed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This highlights the importance of identifying your furniture\u2019s history and material before moving forward with a restoration project. The better you know what kind of wood or material you are dealing with, the more effectively you can restore it to its former glory, or a new glory entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Cleaning Second Hand Furniture<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cSometimes a simple cleaning of a piece is enough to bring the piece back to life,\u201d says Ware. \u201cI usually vacuum out all interior spaces, take off all hardware and clean the entire piece with a TSP solution and allow to dry.\u201d The key is to remove all the oils on the furniture before refinishing. Kennedy says that \u201cnaphtha on a clean rag followed by a good, silicone-free polish goes a long way.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The “before” state of a roughed-up buffet table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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With a new coat of paint in almost any color, your favorite estate sale find can fit your style.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Stripping and Sanding Upcycled Furniture<\/span><\/h2>\n

This stripping process often exposes the beautiful raw material beneath cheap covers like veneer or paint. \u201cIn most cases you need to sand or strip the paint\/sealant or top coat off the furniture to get to the wood underneath,\u201d says Reicks. \u201cJust by doing that you can shave years off the furniture.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sanding is an important step if you plan to add paint or new stain to a piece of second hand furniture.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The brass-colored nobs really pop against the pale pink of this new-looking vanity!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your ultimate plan for the piece of furniture can also inform how you proceed with the stripping and sanding process. \u201cIf the piece is going to be re-stained and not painted, I would use a stripping compound to take off the old finish,\u201d says Ware. \u201cThen sand, sand and sand some more until you are satisfied the entire finish has been removed. You can also wipe the piece down with mineral spirits at this time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Staining and Sealing Refurbished Furniture<\/span><\/h2>\n

You have some choices in this final step for basic furniture restoration, as well. \u201cOnce the wood is bare you can stain it, oil it or lacquer it to achieve a beautiful, fresh look,\u201d says Reicks.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A good coat of stain can go a long way to giving that “new” look to wood, especially when properly sealed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re planning to paint the piece in one, solid color, Ware recommends checking the piece for light scratches and damage before doing so, especially if you\u2019re going to use a light paint color. \u201cYou may want to sand these imperfections prior to painting if you are not going for the rustic look,\u201d she says. \u201cPaint only covers so much. If you are painting a piece a light color, priming may be needed so you don\u2019t end up having to paint layer after layer for coverage.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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This rather boring dresser has a bright future. Image courtesy of Vintage Elegance Decor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The dark-light ombre of the drawers on this dresser gives a modern feel to a vintage piece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cOnce you have painted or stained your new piece of furniture, be sure to top coat it to keep it fresh for years to come,\u201d says Nelson. Ware agrees that the final step should always be to seal all your hard work. \u201cI like to use a water-based poly that I apply with a sponge, sanding between coats,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furniture Restoration Inspiration<\/h1>\n

These before and after photos prove that upcycled furniture can be just as-if not more-beautiful than new!<\/p>\n

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This upcycled dresser gets refreshed with some black paint. Image courtesy of Upcycling by Amy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A pretty unremarkable table, other than the cute scalloped edge. Image courtesy of Vintage Elegance Decor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Modern colors turn a boring table into a conversation piece!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The molding on these table legs is beautiful, but the wood grain pattern is certainly dated. Image courtesy of Vintage Elegance Decor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The molded details get highlighted with a different color paint, making this a stand-out piece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A beautiful, if worn, end table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Gorgeous color choices make this upcycled table festive!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A perfect dresser for upcycling with just a few simple skills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The coral and navy lend a modern, nautical look to this newly upcycled dresser.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This hutch is a perfect example of a second hand furniture with plentiful character but not a lot of style.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This antique hutch with beveled glass doors was a custom project for Ware, whose customer fell in love with it but wanted it painted. “The piece was in great shape and my client only wanted it painted, but with 8 different colors,” she says. “I painted the entire hutch a deep, navy blue and accented with seven other colors by blending, spraying and dripping the paint. It isn\u2019t a finish for everybody but my client was in love with it. Needless to say, after completing this hutch I have another set of tools in my painting toolbox!”<\/span><\/p>\n

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With a stylish coat of navy paint and some good cleaning and sprucing, this upcycled hutch becomes a major statement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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When Sharon Hankins went to restore these old chairs, she never expected what she would find within their seats. Image courtesy of I Restore Stuff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Restoring second hand furniture can be full of surprises, just like Hankins discovered when she restored this old chairs. They were stuffed with 100-year-old newspapers!<\/p>\n

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The chairs were filled with newspapers, some as old as 100 years and still readable! Image courtesy of I Restore Stuff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A wooden cupboard before restoration. Image courtesy of I Restore Stuff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A coat of white paint gives a fresh, modern feel. Image courtesy of I Restore Stuff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

Furniture Restoration for Beginners<\/h1>\n

As with any new skill, it’s important to take it slow at first. “If you are just starting out I would recommend work on your basic techniques and don\u2019t try to take on anything too advanced,” says Ware. With the right piece, a one-color paint application that is done well with a durable top coat will get you far.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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A new stain color makes this upcycled dresser look totally different! Image courtesy of Atomic Age Modern.A new stain color makes this upcycled dresser look totally different! Image courtesy of Atomic Age Modern.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are some techniques that are rather advanced, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try them on a cheap piece or one you don’t feel very inspired by. “Upholstery can be a little more fiddly if a piece has tufting or is a fabric covered lounge chair for example,” says Hankins. “F<\/span>ixing veneer can be tricky, and <\/span>some painting techniques like blending, or texturing or adding graphics to furniture can be a little more advanced, but a lot of fun to try.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nelson says upcycled dressers are very versatile. “They can hold your TV, become a kitchen island, be a drop zone in your entry way or a small buffet in your dining room. Those are by far the best and really where I can let my imagination fly.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Perhaps the most important piece of advice is not to start with a piece that you love. If you found your dream dresser at an estate auction<\/a> and want to upcycle it, allow yourself to practice on a less meaningful item. “The best way to learn is by trial and error so start with a cheap piece you found in the alley or something you got at a garage sale,” says Reicks. “Buy some sand paper, wood stain and get to work.”<\/p>\n

Nelson agrees that it’s important to establish a skill set before working on more beloved items. “Once you are more comfortable with your techniques, estate sales and auctions are great places to shop,” she says. ” You may pay more for a piece but you are less likely to have to do extensive repairs and can refinish them quicker.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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An upcycled coffee table from Atomic Age Modern.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another great tip for beginners? Consult, consult, consult. Ask for help. The community of furniture restorers is a friendly, helpful one. “Take the time to seek out professional advice and start practicing,” says Kennedy. <\/span>All of the restorers in this article invite your questions and inquires. Kennedy of Atomic Age Modern even runs a Facebook group called The Mid Century Modern Furniture Refinishing Resource<\/a>, a wonderful place to get advice and connect with other restorers and upcyclers, both amateur and professional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Estate sales can be one of the best places to find high-quality, unique, beautiful furniture for an affordable price. That said, furniture items often undergo a lot of wear and tear with every year of their life. Whether it\u2019s a coffee table covered with water stain rings or a dresser missing a few drawers, older\u2026Read More<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":4137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4071"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4071"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4071\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4195,"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4071\/revisions\/4195"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}