When you visit The Warehouse at Huck Finn you’ll find the area’s largest selection of unfinished furniture! The unfinished natural wood is a great opportunity to make your furniture fit your home and unique style! Whether you choose to finish the furniture yourself or have us complete the job for you, there are countless ways you can finish wood furniture. From paint to stain and interchanging bases and trims, here are a few of our favorite ways to finish wood furniture.
How to Finish Wood Furniture
Before you begin, it’s important to have the right tools and materials to get the job done. You’ll want several paint brushes in different sizes, wood conditioner, your paint color, varnish, or stain, cleaning rags, sandpaper, and rubber gloves.
- On bare wood, lightly sand the surface with 150-grit sandpaper to remove nicks, scratches, and to open up the pores of the wood grain.
- Wipe off the sanding dust with a tack cloth.
- Brush on wood conditioner prior to staining. Allow the conditioner to dry for 15 minutes.
- Put on rubber gloves and apply your finish in several light coats. Allow enough time in between applications for each coat to dry.
- Brush a coat of polyurethane varnish onto the surface, then finish up with long, light brush strokes to remove bubbles and lap marks.
Choosing a Finish for Your Furniture
There are many different colors, types, and styles of finish you can choose from to complete your unfinished furniture. At The Warhouse at Huck Finn, we have over 100 custom finishes for you to pick from; we can match the look of your existing furniture or provide you with the color pallet you need to compliment any décor.
Each type of wood finish offers a different level of protection and appearance on the surface of the wood. Finishes fall into two categories; penetrating finishes and surface finishes.
Penetrating Finishes
Penetrating surfaces give wood furniture a more natural look and are easier to apply. They’re absorbed by the wood and dry inside the wood.
Penetrating finishes include the following:
- Interior wood stain
- Varnish
- Wood oils
Surface Finishes
Surface finishes dry on top of the wood to create a protective coating. They offer durable protection and are a good choice if you anticipate your furniture getting a lot of use.
Surface finishes include the following:
- Paint
- Polyurethane wood finish
- Shellac finishes
- Lacquers
- Paste wax
The finish you choose ultimately depends on the look you want to achieve and the level of protection your piece needs. A kitchen table that will be used every day and have hot items placed on top should be finished in a durable stain or polyurethane finish, not paint or shellac. However, a bookcase or end table can be painted and will look great for years to come!
Working with our Pros
We recommend unfinished furniture to anyone looking for a truly custom piece. You know exactly what you’re purchasing and can match it to your existing furniture and design style.
If you want the custom look without the work, our team of pros can finish your wood furniture for you! Once you purchase your furniture and decide on a finish we’ll do the rest, providing you with a unique piece for your home.
Contact us today to learn more or stop by The Warehouse at Huck Finn to shop our selection.