Budget Decorator: 8 Ways to Get Old Furniture Like New

Instructions: Move the piece to an outdoor location or well-ventilated garage and remove all hardware. It is important to protect yourself from the corrosive vapors of a chemical stripper (see the list of safety equipment above).

After you put your hand on the stripper, the varnish should begin to bubble. Use a spatula or steel wool to remove the layers of the old paint. After that, be sure to give the piece a layer of benzine or denatured alcohol to remove the traces of the stripper.

2nd stain wood tables and chairs. If you have an old solid wood furniture, consider coloring rather than painting to show you the grain. The pine dining table shown here was a craigslist – it was originally orange, and the homeowner robbed it and gave it a nice dark finish.

Tools of trade: sandpaper, wood conditioner, rubber or nitrile gloves, wood stain, soft cloth and a polyurethane varnish.

Instructions: Starting with peeled wood, flatten the piece with sandpaper and vacuum or rub away any dust. Application wood conditioner helps the finish go on more evenly.

Rub on the stains evenly with a soft cloth (you may want to use several layers) and finish with a polyurethane sheath.

3. Reupholster an antique. Recording on a cushion project takes some serious DIY skills, but if you are patient and willing to learn it can be done. Andrea Mihalik of the Reupholstery Biz Wild Chairy learned her craft by reading a padded book, and recommends that potential home improvement do the same.

Tips: Take photos, every step, as you take apart your chair; Keep the original fabric piece to be used as a pattern.

If to see a pro , if your piece has structural problems or an unpleasant feather. A professional can completely build your chair … not something the average person should try at home.

See our interview with Mihalik for more chair renovation and home improvement upholstery tips.

Like working with a saddler

4. whitewashing, liming and staining. Achieve a faded, whitewashed look with a range of methods. What you all have in common is that you lighten wood while still allowing the grain to shine through.

Tools of the trade: brass or copper brush or wool, sandpaper, liming wax -% 2c liming solution or primer, soft cloth and wax or clear polyurethane.

Instructions: Rough the wood with a copper or brass brush to allow the whitewash to adhere better. Sandpaper and then use the vacuum cleaner to wipe the surface or dust away.

lighten the wood that you can use, liming wax, scrubbing ash or a solution of primer and water, work with a rag. When using wax, remove the excess wax with fine steel wool and seal the surface with wax. If you are using primer or liming solution, wipe off the excess with a rag. Once the piece is dry, seal it with a polyurethane sheath.

Instructions: Remove all drawers and hardware, and place the piece down on stones or wood block on the top of the drop cloth. Sand lightly and wipe off the dust. Tape from the edges of the drawers if necessary with painters tape. Give the piece a layer of primer and let it dry.

For painting, use a small roller to apply evenly without brush lines. Start at the top and work your way down; let the paint dry completely between coats.

Find all the tools you need for a successful painting project

8. Re-cover a seat cushion. Unlike a complete reupholstery job, re-cover, a seat cushion is a relatively simple and satisfying project.

Tools of the trade: Staple gun, new cloth and foam or cotton wool.

Instructions: remove the seat cushions from the chair. Remove the old fabric and use it as a template, cut out the new fabric. If you feel the cotton or foam pillow is very worn out, replace it. Wrap the new fabric over the seat and use a staple gun to attach you. Screw the seat back on.

Step-by-step instructions:, How to Re-Cover a Seat Cushion