This page contains a variety of information and tips on buying, arranging, caring for, and repairing furniture.
Repairing Water Damaged Wood...This is a page about repairing water damaged wood furniture. Furniture that has been water damaged can be difficult to repair.
Homemade Varnish RemoverThis is a page about homemade varnish remover. Varnish is used to protect wood furniture and make it shine. Making your own varnish remove allows you to use a product that is less toxic than store bought versions.
Dresser Drawers Stuck ClosedThis page is about dresser drawers stuck closed. When a chest of drawers do not open, there are a few things you can try to get the drawers to move freely.
Burn Marks on Sofa Cushion?I have a burn mark from the heater on the back of my beige couches. I guess I put the couches in front of the heater for a long time. Please help how do I get rid of those marks. Need help ASAP. Thanks a lot.
Repairing the Underside of Furniture?Pets can ruin our furniture or as our things get older the batting and upholstery can start to come apart. This is a page on repairing the underside of furniture.
Keeping Couch Cushions From SlidingSometimes loose cushions can move when you don't want them to. This page is about keeping couch cushions from sliding.
Keeping Futon from SlippingThis is a page about keeping futon from slipping. You are not alone if your futon mattress keeps sliding down on the frame.
Removing Bed From Sofa?My couch/sofa bed is old but still looks great and would be easy to slip cover but no one likes the pull out bed. Can I remove the sofa bed inside and still have a usable couch? Thanks,
Use PVC Pipe to Raise Couch's HeightIf you need to raise the height of your couch to make it easier to get up, try using lengths of PVC pipe fitted over the legs. This is a page about use PVC pipe to raise couch's height.
Upgrading Old FurnitureAfter 47 years of marriage and 22 years in this house, I'd love to be able to buy new furniture, but we just can't afford to right now. Our red floral couch had gotten really worn in spots, so I put a leather-look slipcover on it, but never really liked that look. However, my son and daughter-in-law just bought new furniture, so they gave us their leather couch.
Replace Chair Slides with Tennis BallsI had a problem keeping slides on the feet of my table chairs. Call me a redneck. I replaced them with tennis balls and they work so much better.
Using Scotch Guard on Upholstery?Many people have had great results with using Scotch Guard on upholstery. It makes clean up and stain prevention so much easier. If you want to give it a try, test it on an inconspicuous spot first.
Restoring an Antique Teak Dresser?What is the best way to restore this item? It's not in great condition. I have sanded the top a bit and it looks like this will be the best option for the majority of it. I would like to stick to the techniques they used when it was built. It's Victorian and made of teak.
New Life for an Old CabinetUsing your imagination, some paint and doilies, you can turn an old end table or small cabinet into a cute decorative piece. This is a page about a new life for an old cabinet.
Recipe for Homemade Paint Remover?I just found an old claw foot table and chairs that was painted with flat interior paint and want to revamp it to its original glory. So I need a recipe for paint remover please.
Salvaging Over Sanded Furniture?Over sanding when refinishing furniture typically results in low spots or divots where you tried to remove a stain or other imperfection. The resulting damage can be lessened. However, sometimes differences in wood color and texture on a piece of furniture may be due to the use of multiple types of wood. This is a page about salvaging over sanded furniture.
Painting Press Board FurnitureThis is a page about painting press board furniture. Prepping the furniture with a light sanding to remove any glossy finish, followed by a good primer, and finished with enamel paint seems to be the key to a good finish.
Formby's Furniture Refinisher Left Wood Table Sticky?Formby's is formulated to dissolve old varnish, lacquer, and shellac. If your piece is sticky after using the refinisher, a call to the company may be the best way to fix the problem.
Using Placemats to Protect a NightstandThis is a page about using placemats to protect a nightstand. Protect your nightstand from accidental spills or scratches by using a placemat. It is an easy and decorative way to avoid damaging your furniture.
Can Vegetable Oil Be Used to Restore a Wood Table?This is a page about vegetable oil to restore a wooden table. While it may seem like any type of oil could be used to restore wood furniture, that is not entirely true. Vegetable oil can go rancid over time, causing an unpleasant odor, in addition to creating a sticky finish on your furniture. Mineral oil and baby oil are better suggestions, if you don't want to purchase furniture oil.
Varnishing a Table Top?Why does the stain in the varnish separate when sprayed onto table top?
Finding a Slipcover for an Extra Wide Seat Recliner?When your recliner is not a standard size, it may be a challenge to find a well fitting slipcover. This is a page about finding a slipcover for an extra wide seat recliner.
Restoring a Leather Trunk?The leather on antique and vintage trunks can become dry and brittle with age. This is a page about restoring a leather trunk.
Refinishing the Inside of an Old TrunkMany old trunks were paper lined. If you are thinking of refinishing the inside as part of your restoration, consider repapering or perhaps paint or stain. This is a page about refinishing the inside of an old trunk.
Sanding Wood With CardboardA light sanding can help smooth out wood for finishing. This is a page about sanding wood with cardboard.
Securing the Cushion on a Papasan Chair?The cushion on a papasan chair has a tendency to slide around. This page has advice about securing the cushion on your papasan chair..
Repairing a Leather Chair?There are simple ways to repair your leather furniture when it gets worn out. This page contains tips for repairing a leather chair.
Are Leather Couches Kid Friendly?If you are looking for kids couch, a leather sofa might just be what you are looking for. Some people believe that leather couches are the perfect family sofa, where as others disagree. Check out this page and learn more about leather couches for houses with children and pets.
Hiding Furniture Imperfections and Upholstery DamageI have very badly damaged (due to cats scratching) upholstered couches. I also have a two year old so I would be interested in an inexpensive solution that could make them look better. This is a page about hiding furniture imperfections and upholstery damage.
Moving a Large Couch Into Your House?This is a page about moving a large couch into your house. Moving large, often heavy pieces of furniture can present you with a variety of challenges.
Moving Heavy FurnitureThis is a page about moving heavy furniture. Moving heavy furniture can be a challenge and can cause damage to you or your home if not done wisely.
Removing Excess Wood StainThis is a page about removing excess wood stain. When working with wood stain, if the excess is not wiped off quickly you may need to resort to other methods.
Refurbishing a DresserThis is a page about refurbishing a dresser. Save money on furniture with some time and paint, by giving an old chest of drawers a new look.
Pros and Cons of Leather FurnitureThis is a page about the pros and cons of leather furniture. Each type of furniture upholstery has its positive and negative features.
Painting Furniture to Match Your Decor?This is a page about painting furniture to match your decor. A great way to save money on furniture is to give it a new look with paint to match your furnishings.
Covering a Wing Chair?This is a page about covering a wing chair. The unique styling can make it difficult to cover a wing back chair, either to protect the upholstery or cover some damaged areas.
Dyeing Upholstery FabricThis is a page about painting upholstery fabric. One way to give new life to your upholstered furniture it to paint it.
Protecting Your Dining Room TableThis is a page about protecting dining room table. Your dining room table probably needs some protection from heat, spills, and the like.
Stripping Painted Furniture?This is a page about stripping painted furniture. You can save money and give new life to an older piece of furniture by refinishing it.
Painting FurnitureThis is a page about furniture painting tips. You can save money by painting furniture that has become a bit damaged or outdated.
Finding an Electric Hospital Bed?This is a page about finding an electric hospital bed. When caring for someone recovering from an illness or surgery, it may be very helpful to procure a special bed for home care.
Painting Wood Furniture Without Sanding or...This is a page about painting wood furniture without sanding or priming. Refinishing wood furniture is a common homeowner project. However, many people hope to find ways to avoid sanding before painting.
Repairing a Rocking Chair?Rocking chairs can come apart over time and may need pieces replaced to be as good as new. This is a page about repairing a rocking chair.
Finishing an Oak Table?I have an unvarnished oak table which has marks on it. Can I finish with a tinted varnish?
Canopy Bed IdeasThis page contains canopy bed ideas. There are many of kinds of fabric that work well to drape around your bed.
Updating Out of Style FurnitureThis is a page about updating out of style furniture. Older furniture can begin to look dated, because of style, finish, color, etc. Buying new can be very costly, however, there are a number of ways you can update your existing furniture.
Making Faux Granite Furniture Tops?This is a page about making faux granite furniture tops. There is a lot of information available about painting laminate countertops to resemble granite. Now you are thinking of attempting a similar treatment on furniture tops.
Refinishing Wood Veneer Furniture?This is a page about refinishing wood veneer furniture. Refinishing wood veneer furniture can be done, keeping in mind the care needed to prevent damage to the thin wood veneer.
Protecting Microfiber Furniture?This page is about protecting microfiber furniture. A good way to avoid stains on your upholstery is to apply a protectant.
Restoring a Cedar Chest?This is a page about restoring a cedar chest. Cedar chests were very popular for a long period of time, meaning that there are many either still being used or in storage. If you are lucky enough to inherit one or find one at an antique shop, it may need some work.
Painting Laminate FurnitureThis is a page about painting laminate furniture. Painting laminate furniture while requiring a different process than real wood, can easily be done. This is a great way to update and refurbish older furniture.
Refinishing Wood FurnitureThis is a page about refinishing wood furniture. Refinishing wood furniture is a great way to recycle an older piece or repair damage to the surface finish of furniture.
Repairing Particle Board FurnitureThis is a page about repairing particle board furniture. The sawdust and glue construction of particleboard furniture makes it comparatively inexpensive to buy but also easier to damage.
Refinishing an End TableThis is a page about refinishing an end table. Refinishing a piece of furniture is a good solution for either an antique or a dated piece, needing a modernizing face lift.
Refinishing Oak Furniture?This is a page about refinishing oak furniture. Oak furniture has been popular for years, particularly in years past. If your furniture has seen better days, you don't need to buy new when you can refinish what you already own.
Refinishing Mahogany Furniture?This is a page about refinishing mahogany furniture. Refinishing mahogany furniture that you already own or that you picked up at a sale is absolutely doable. You will need to have patience and follow some simple steps to achieve a beautiful finished piece.
Improving the Appearance of a Zero Gravity Chair?This is a page about improving the appearance of a zero gravity chair. Zero gravity chairs are known for their comfort. However, if you have one of the tubular frame and fabric styles you may want to dress it up to blend in with your decor.
Caring for Unfinished Wood FurnitureThis page is about caring for unfinished furniture. Bare wood needs some oil to keep it from drying out and getting stained.
Painting Veneer Furniture?This is a page about painting veneer furniture. Care should be taken when prepping veneer furniture for painting.
Saving Money on Outdoor FurnitureThis is a page about saving money on outdoor furniture. Patio and lawn furniture can be very expensive, but that doesn't mean you have to forgo having nice, functional yard furnishings.
Giving Furniture a Distressed Look?This is a page about giving furniture a distressed look. Distressing newer furniture gives it an older look that might be just want you need to complete your decor.
Converting 2 Sofas into a Sectional?I have 2 sofas (leather, oversized) that I want to convert into a sectional. Any ideas?
Maintaining Garden FurnitureThis is a page about maintaining garden furniture. Garden furniture can be a costly investment. Proper maintenance can help extend the life of your furniture.
Refinishing a Teak Table Top?I have a teak dining table that is over 20 years old. I have always "oiled" it with teak oil and olive oil. It is beginning to look like the finish is coming off. How do I refurbish it?
Staining Wood FurnitureThis is a page about painting wood furniture. Staining new or used wood furniture can create a whole new look.
Putting Self Stick Shelf Paper on Furniture?Is it possible to use shelf paper on a desk, if it's wood with like a plastic feel to it? Will the paper stick? I want to resurface my desk shelves and also paint the desk.
Keeping Furniture From Sliding This page is about keeping furniture from sliding. Some floor coverings allow furniture to easily shift from where you want it.
Refurbishing FurnitureThis is a page about refurbishing furniture. Give your home or apartment a new look by refurbishing your furniture.
Finish on Oak Table Turning Orange?I have a solid oak dining table and sideboard that has gone a bit orangey. How do I get rid of this orangey colour and get a more natural brown colour?
Making Old Furniture Look NewThis is a page about making old furniture look new. Restoring the beauty of your older furniture or yard sale finds can be a fun and economical past time.
Repairing Lacquer Finish on Furniture?I recently bought a used table and chairs that have a white lacquer finish on them. The extra leaf for it has yellowed and I'm wanting to know if anyone knows how I can get it white again.
Storing Wood FurnitureThis is a page about storing wood furniture. Attractive and sturdy, wood furniture can be found pretty much every home. Whether you own more than you can have in your house or you have recently acquired new furniture, sometime you must store your wood furniture.
Polyurethane is Not Drying on Dining Table?I have sanded, stained, and put the first coat of polyurethane on it my dining room table. It is the fast drying type. It doesn't want to dry and is tacky after a whole day of drying time. Why is this? The leaves of the table dried, but not the table itself. I don't get it.
Caring for Your MattressThis is a page about caring for your mattress. Your mattress is a critical part of getting a good night's sleep. Properly caring for your mattress will keep it comfortable and help it last longer.
Painting Sauder Furniture?Can you paint Sauder furniture? I know you "can" paint it, but will it look OK?
Refinishing a China Hutch?I have a very old antique hutch like piece if furniture that used to be my mom and dad's when I was a child. It was given to me by my aunt many years ago. My problem is this, when we got it, it was all stained but a nice honey color.
Painting Teak Wood Rocking Chairs?Are you able to paint teak wood once it has oil on it? I do not like the oil look. What can I do?
Sleeper Sofa Repair?Can I buy new supports to hold the slats in place on my sofabed?
Stripping a Pickle Wash from Cabinets?How do you strip a pickle wash from cabinets?
Preparing a Varnished Piece of Furniture for Painting?I have an old shoe cupboard which is stained and varnished, but could do with a new lease of life. I was thinking of changing it to a cream "distressed" look, slightly shabby chic? How easy is this to do? Any tips appreciated.
Old Engish Scratch Cover to Stain FurnitureInstead of using stain, I use Old English Scratch Cover for dark wood. It seals the wood and looks like it has been refinished. I did this on a set of dowel rods that I am using for curtain rods.
Can I Change an Oval Table to a Round Table?How to change oval dining room table to a round dining room table?
Best Protective Finish for Outdoor Wood Furniture?I'm planning on splitting a oak log to build a outdoor garden bench; what should I use for a finish? Would polyurethane be a good choice?
Restoring Nap on a Velvet Couch?How can I restore the nap on a velvet couch?
Help With Furniture Placement?I need help decorating my family room. The dimensions are 17 x 15. We want to provide comfortable seating for 6 that is easy to maintain, i.e. low dusting maintenance and durable stain hiding colors/fabrics (we have 2 boys.)
Improving Particle Board Furniture?We have cabinets with lattice work and the boards inside are particle board. They are extremely dusty. I would rather not use contact paper to cover the them because it doesn't stick very well. What could I do to make them look better?
Buying or Making a Loft Bed?We are considering getting our daughter a loft bed for Christmas, but I'm curious if it might be cheaper to just buy the materials and build one? If anyone knows which might be cheaper it would be greatly appreciated!
Using Painter's Wax to Refinish Furniture?I am interested in painting my bedroom furniture to give it a new look. I was reading about a product called Painter's Wax. How do you use it and where can I find it? What type of results can I expect to get? Thank you!
Scratches On A Glass Tabletop?I need a homemade way to remove scratches in a glass table top.
Make It Almost New AgainThere are antique collectors and there are those who just enjoys incorporating the old piece into today's world. These are the people who can snatch up great bargains that the others have left behind. If you're not afraid of refinishing, repairing, or re-purposing battered antiques, then you have a gold mine awaiting you at the next swap meet.
Staining Kitchen Cabinet Door Inserts?How do you finish kitchen cabinet doors, the inset only? I don't want to paint, but use stain, etc. Thanks.
Removing Static from Sofa?I need advice for getting rid of static from my new sofa. Please help.
Buying Furniture at Yard SalesWhen looking for gently used furniture, go to yard sales early in the morning on Saturdays. You will usually find more of what you are looking for and at bargain prices. Also not all yard sales are located in the paper.
What Are These Chairs?Does anyone know what type of chairs these are? I want to get covers for them but I am not sure what style they are.
Fixing an Acetone Spill on Laminate?How can I fix an acetone spill on a shiny laminate bench top? Please help.
Refinishing the Outside of a Steamer Trunk?I am repairing an old steamer truck. I removed the rust, so now I want to know what to use to prime and seal it. It has a shiny, gloss finish. I tried paint, but it's not what I want.
Refinishing Furniture?How do I remove varnish quickly from tables, to refinish quickly?
Removing Decoupage Photos from Wood?How do you remove decoupage photos from wood?
Plug Extension Cords Into Outlets Blocked By FurnitureWhen placing furniture in front of an electrical outlet, always plug in an extension cord into the outlet. You can hide the cord then when you need the outlet it is in easy reach. Extension cords are $1 at Dollar stores so you can have one in every blocked outlet.
Does Leather Furniture Stretch?Does leather furniture stretch from sitting on it?
Upholstery That Resists Cat Hair?What fabric is best to use when covering dining room chairs where cat hair is a problem?
Refinishing a Black Ash Table?I have a black ash dinning room table that has a few scratches and white marks. How do I renovate it ?
Removing White Stains from a Wood Table?I've been using an iron to remove them like some people are suggesting. I was wowed by this solution. This solution works temporarily. The white stains keep coming back!
Refinishing Old Furniture?How do you know what base varnish or stain was used if your refinishing an old yard sale table? What product can I use as a base primer so all the other mediums I use will adhere? And I'd like to know if I can use oil or acrylic to paint a picture on the top surface of the table then vanish over the picture after the medium dries to keep the mural?
Restoring Exterior of a Steamer Trunk?The project steamer trunk has very thin black leather over the wood. The original shipping labels and owner identification are intact, but the leather is brittle, peeling, and in some spots totally gone. What are my options to restore the exterior while preserving labels and owner ID?
Bureau Drawers Stuck?Two of the drawers of my father's roll top bureau are stuck. The drawers have hooks at the back. I have taken the bottom 2 drawers out and can see a piece of wood with a horizontal bit sticking out to the side. I have reached in with my arm and released the drawers, but they got stuck again. Any ideas about how to keep them from locking?
Refurbishing a Cedar Chest?What do you use to strip varnish off the chest and what would you to put back on the chest?
Caring for an Unfinished Vintage Lane Cedar Chest?This is a Lane cedar chest from mid-century. The wood of the lid is unfinished, unvarnished, bare wood. The tag inside says it is walnut. The lid is getting more dried out and has some watermarks in places. What is the best way to care for and clean this family heirloom so it will last?
