Most of us have some piece of furniture in our homes that is old, out-of-date, or just needs a little TLC to make it look new again. But before you run off and buy an entire set of new furniture, it's worth considering whether your current pieces can be repaired instead. A lot of people think that if something breaks on their favorite piece of furniture they're stuck with a whole new set, but in reality, there are lots of ways to fix things up at home yourself or pay someone else to do it for you. Here are some tips on how you can tell if your wood furniture can be repaired:
How to tell if your furniture can be repaired
Look for cracks and chips. Inspect the furniture carefully, looking for any signs of damage. Look for small cracks that may have been caused by normal wear and tear, as well as large chips or breaks in the wood. If you do find any damaged areas, it's best to consult with a repair specialist about whether or not your piece can be salvaged.
Check for loose joints, screws, and nails. If you notice that any of these items are loose, it could mean that the entire piece is unstable and at risk of falling apart if bumped into while unattended—or worse yet—while someone is sitting on it! You should tighten these fasteners immediately so they support your furniture's structure properly again; otherwise, you risk having even more problems down the road (or right away).
Examine peeling paint or veneer seams before making a decision about repairing them; sometimes peeling paint isn't worth fixing because applying new coats would cost more than simply replacing worn-out surfaces with new ones instead (that being said though: remember what we said about staining first). And if there's already damage done? Well, then there's probably no point trying anyway because once one layer comes off others tend to follow suit too quickly after--and then where will we all be?
When refinishing makes sense
You may want to refinish your wood furniture for a variety of reasons. You might be looking to save money, get the most out of your furniture, add value to your home or fix a scratch or dent in the wood. Refinishing can be done as often as you like and helps protect your investment if you buy quality pieces.
If you’re not sure whether or not refinishing is right for your needs, consider these options:
- Saving money on new pieces - Refinishing gives worn-out furniture a new look that might make people think it was purchased recently instead of years ago
- Adding value to your home - If people see what they perceive as high-quality wood in the living room, dining room, and kitchen then they will perceive greater value in the house overall (and thus pay more when they sell).
If you need to paint, is it worth the effort?
If you want to paint your wood furniture and are looking for paint that will match the existing finish, there are a few things to consider. First, if your furniture is old and has been well-loved by children and pets over the years, or if it is an antique, sanding may be required before painting. If this is the case, carefully sand down any rough spots using 220 grit paper (the same kind of paper used on kitchen counters).
You should also use this type of sandpaper as an intermediary between coats of paint as well as a final coat itself if needed. Once you've finished sanding down all areas that need it—which may include feet on tables—apply primer to seal any bare wood before applying a base coat color followed by two or three layers of top coat once dry.
If you'd like something completely different from what's on offer at the store these days but don't want to do anything too drastic (or expensive) with your furniture just yet? Just go ahead and try one or two colors out! There's nothing wrong with committing small acts here and there when it comes time for some home improvement projects such as painting walls; they just might end up being better than anticipated after all!
When furniture repair would be a poor investment
If you're looking to have your wood furniture repaired, there are some things that may make it less likely to be a good investment. For example:
- If the damage is too extensive or if the piece of furniture has had significant damage for a long time, you might consider having it replaced instead.
- If the piece of furniture has sentimental value, then it's probably best left alone because repairing and reupholstering could potentially destroy its originality.
- The same goes with high-value pieces; they should be treated like they're irreplaceable and not subjected to any type of alteration that would change their appearance.
Repairing and refinishing furniture can be done at home.
You can repair and refinish your furniture at home.
But there are cases when it’s best to hire a professional.
First, look for evidence of serious damage. If you see missing pieces, deep scratches, or if any part of the wood has separated from the frame (this is called “splitting”), it may be time to call in an expert.
Second, consider whether you really need to do anything at all. Sometimes minor dings can be sanded out with fine-grit sandpaper and then re-stained or oiled without reshaping the piece too dramatically—or at all! And if you decide not to get into refinishing yourself (which requires more time and money than most people want to put into their homes), there are plenty of affordable options available in stores like Target and Ikea that will give your space a fresh new look without breaking the bank(or causing any damage).
Conclusion
It’s important to understand that repairing and refinishing furniture can be done at home. It may not be for everyone, but it’s a nice option for those who want to know more about their furniture and the process of taking care of it. This article should help you decide if you would like to keep your old furniture or if it is time to buy something new.