Simple Furniture Renovation

I may be the queen of Simple Furniture Renovation!  I only do EASY but here is the caveat, the furniture must turn out beautiful as well.  Refinishing furniture is a way to save big money, reuse, repurpose, and recycle pieces that otherwise would end up in the dump.  So in the process of making your home into a place of charm, you are also doing a very sustainable and good thing.  

Today, I want to share with you my favorite healthy refinishing products as well as cast a vision about all that is possible in the world of furniture refurbishment.  I promise every idea is so easy that you can get your children in on this practical homemaking project. 

Supplies

staple gun and staples

chalk paint

steel wool pads

fabric 

non-toxic wood refinisher

sandpaper 

beeswax wood polish 

Simple Furniture Renovation

Refinishing 

There is nothing so fulfilling than taking an old dresser or chest and making the wood look new.  Often this is as easy as cleaning the furniture with soap and water and polishing it with beeswax wood polish.  If the piece is in need of more restoration then your options are to either sand the piece with fine-grit sandpaper or use steel wool and a non-toxic refinisher.  I also must admit that refinishing, polishing, and cleaning the wood is very relaxing! 

Painting 

I am a huge fan of chalk paint!  It is hands down the easiest paint to paint with that I have ever used! Just paint the piece of furniture the color you would like it, no sanding necessary when applying chalk paint.  Let it dry between coats and lightly finish with a coat of beeswax furniture polish!   I would advise investing in a special chalk paint paintbrush, I have been using the same one for over 6 years so they really last.  I have personally used lots of brands of chalk paint and my two favorite brands are Annie Sloan and Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint!  There really is a quality difference between brands of chalk paint.  Let’s face it, you only want to have to paint once and enjoy the item for years to come. (See the white dressers in the lead photograph.)

Upholstery  

There are many options here.  I have sewn slipcovers before and while that is a fulfilling achievement it is quite time-consuming.  I prefer using two simpler options.  Using my staple gun and fabric of choice I recover chairs that have fabric bases or backs.  It is as easy as cutting the fabric to a larger size than the chair seat and then staple it down on the opposite side.  You may also need to replace old padding, I like to re-pad with recycled mattress pads cut to size.  I often will layer three pads thick for more comfortable seating.  My second choice is to paint the upholstery with chalk paint.  Yes, you can do this very successfully!  (The blue Queen Anns chair in the photograph is painted with chalk paint!  The first few weeks the upholstery does feel a bit stiff but after people sitting on it a few times, it loosens up and becomes comfortable and pliable.)

YOUR TURN…

What is your favorite furniture refinishing tip?

Blessings,

*This post may contain affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Peaceful Haven!