An old wood table is a classic addition to any home. Not only are they functional, they also provide character and warmth to a home. But when that table needs an upgrade, how do you go about making it look like new again? You don’t want to follow the same tired road when it comes to traditional dining room decorating so you want to update your table in a fresh new way.
First of all, remove all the accessories from your dining room before you begin. Your old table was likely very intricate with intricate carvings and candles and if you leave any of these behind you will regret it dearly. If you have artwork of any kind or pictures on the walls, remove them as well so that you can get a fresh new look. This is one of the most important first steps in updating the look of your dining room. Now you need to decide what kind of look you want. Here are a few ideas.
If you like the look of a clean slate and you don’t want to put anything else on your table except for a new tablecloth then you will be able to use the old wood table as the foundation for your new design. If you don’t have any clutter on the table then you can just vacuum it up. If there are any old stains on the wood or any kind of dirt on the veneer, these can be removed before you stain it. You may even be able to scrape off the dirt by hand. Once it is cleaned up and if needed you can sand it down to give it a nice smooth surface.
There are two ways to stain an old wood table. The first is to use a color that will stand out and will complement the surrounding furniture. The second is to use a wood stain that is very dark. These stains are almost black in color and they will completely hide all defects in the wood. Once you have stained the old wood table, you can apply new varnish to give the table a fresh new look.
The first thing you will need to do is find some good wood stain. There are many choices available. You should choose one that is made specifically for wood. This is very important. You don’t want to use regular varnish to stain your wood. It will splinter and leave unwanted marks.
Before you begin applying the stain, you will need to decide where you will be applying it. This depends on the size and where you plan to place the table. If you are using varnish that is meant for larger surfaces then you should use it along the tabletop and then along the base. For smaller tables you can just sprinkle the varnish over the entire surface. This will give it a rich, dark look.
When applying the stain to the wood, you should take special care not to cover the veins. Veins are a part of the wood and they add character to the piece. They are like little canyons in the wood and if you overdo it, the piece will lose its character. What you should do is just lightly sand the areas of the stain that will be visible. Then use a wood filler to even out the areas and you are ready to begin staining.
You can find all kinds of different items on sale at your local craft stores. Look for pieces that you can reuse. This will save you a lot of money and you will have a great project that you can be proud of. How do you make an old wood table look like new again?