NEW FROM OLD

- Furniture refurbishment -

New life for old furniture

You don't always have to buy a new one. Design and furniture, from decades gone by, are back in fashion and look better than ever. By the way, a piece of second-hand furniture, that's been refurbished in a modern style, will fit in with contemporary interiors and is a durable choice. Chairs from 50s and old Arteks don't necessarily need to be refurbished, but even more worn-out furniture can be made into a stunning eye-catcher with a little effort.

You don't always have to buy something new. Updating a piece of furniture that's been through the years is a snap. We needed new furniture, but instead of buying it, we decided to recycle and give new life to our old chest of drawers and desk. Now they will serve their purpose for years to come, and there is no need to buy brand new furniture. In addition, solid wood furniture is a better and more durable alternative to chipboard, and it can be refurbished if you ever change your mind or taste. A coat of sanding and a dash of paint - that's the simplest recipe for a fresh look.


High quality wood lasts for a long time

Old solid wood products stand the test of time and renewal better than modern chipboard products. When you buy old, high-quality wood, you can treat it to eliminate the imperfections of time. One of the characteristics of wood is that it lives over time, for better or worse. Sanding, varnishing, waxing and painting are all measures that extend the life of wooden furniture. So solid wood is more durable and environmentally friendly than cheaper alternatives, and it's worth investing in. So the effort is sure to pay off if you can save your old quality furniture for reuse!

High quality wood lasts for a long time

Old solid wood products stand the test of time and renewal better than modern chipboard products. When you buy old, high-quality wood, you can treat it to eliminate the imperfections of time. One of the characteristics of wood is that it lives over time, for better or worse. Sanding, varnishing, waxing and painting are all measures that extend the life of wooden furniture. So solid wood is more durable and environmentally friendly than cheaper alternatives, and it's worth investing in. So the effort is sure to pay off if you can save your old quality furniture for reuse!


How to do it at home?

A professional can get the job well done, but it's also possible for the average person to get good results. Work requires time and neatness so the result will be good and lasting. Pay particular attention to cleaning and sanding all surfaces before painting. High quality materials are the key to success, so check beforehand the suitability of them for the surfaces you choose. Note : choose a water-based coating for furniture. At Eco Decor, we used Teknos Futura Aqua 40 semi-gloss paint.

How to do it at home?

A professional can get the job well done, but it's also possible for the average person to get good results. Work requires time and neatness so the result will be good and lasting. Pay particular attention to cleaning and sanding all surfaces before painting. High quality materials are the key to success, so check beforehand the suitability of them for the surfaces you choose. Note : choose a water-based coating for furniture. At Eco Decor, we used Teknos Futura Aqua 40 semi-gloss paint.


5 steps for a good painting job from Eco Decor

1

Clean surfaces from dirt and dust

Stains left on the surface of furniture can repel paint, so careful washing and cleaning is important for the final result. Surfaces should be kept clean throughout the painting process, as any debris left behind will show in the final result.

2

Sanding and puttying

  • Need for sanding depends on the furniture you are working on. If the furniture is varnished, the varnish must be completely sanded off. Usually, the cleanest finish is achieved by sanding off the previous paint completely, but it is also possible to just sand a new adhesive surface and paint over the previous paint.

If you want to remove previous paint or varnish, the furniture should be carefully sanded. In this case, first use coarse sandpaper, for example, size 80, to remove the paint. Then use a slightly smoother grit of 150 and finally a final grit of 240. Do not use too coarse a sandpaper for the smallest details so that they are not accidentally sanded off too much. If you just want to clean up the furniture a bit and paint over the old paint, use 240 grit to make the surface a little rougher.

If your furniture has larger dents or dings that were not smoothed out by sanding, they should be filled with a wooden putty knife at this stage. After the putty has dried, the surface is sanded smooth again where the putty is applied. After all sanding, it is important to carefully remove all dust from sanding before priming. A wet rag is good for this purpose.

3

Priming

  • If you have removed all the paint, the furniture must be treated with a primer before the final painting. The Future Aqua 40 primer we use is suitable, for example, Futura Aqua 3 adhesion primer. For example, if you are painting a chest of drawers like we are, remove the drawers before painting to make the job easier. Remember to allow the paint to dry properly before topcoating.

4

Topcoat

      • First, dismantle any drawers or other parts. Then go over the surfaces carefully with a brush according to the wood's grain. Do not apply too much paint to the brush to prevent spillage. In general, water-based paint is recommended for furniture, as it will not yellow over time. However, water-based paints dry fairly quickly, so work briskly and don't, for example, dab the paint. Depending on the size of the furniture, you should use brushes of different sizes. Large surfaces are easiest to paint with a large brush, while details are best painted with a small one.

      For a better result paint the surface twice. Two coats are recommended, especially when the surface is subject to a lot of wear and tear, such as on a chair. In this case, it is important to allow the paint to dry for the required amount of time between coats. Do not apply the second coat before the prescribed time, even if the surface already feels dry.

5

Paint drying

      • Allow the paint to dry in peace at each stage, especially at the end. The paint we use dries to dust-dry within an hour, but requires a few days to dry before use. The final hardness of the paint will build up over time, only after a month. Until then, it is best to avoid hard knocks to avoid damaging the new surface.


With these tips, you too can succeed in painting! Take a photo of your restoration project on Instagram and tag the final result @ecodecor.fi. How about a personalised name tag for your kids' room or a map of your home town to go with your new, unique furniture? Take a look at Eco Decor's range from the link below.

With these tips, you too can succeed in painting! Take a photo of your restoration project on Instagram and tag the final result @ecodecor.fi. How about a personalised name tag for your kids' room or a map of your home town to go with your new, unique furniture? Take a look at Eco Decor's range from the link below.

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