When we moved into our new home, the previous owner left several furniture pieces, including a vintage Drexel antique table. This was a solid piece on its own but I (Dejene) just wasn’t a fan of the dark cherry stain. I prefer lighter neutral tones. So I decided to refinish this classic furniture piece and wanted to share with you all. So follow on for this DIY vintage end table makeover!
Materials and Tools Needed
Here’s what I used for this DIY vintage end table makeover:
Tools:
Screwdriver (for the drawer handle)
Materials:
Sandpaper (various grits)
Old plastic bowls (to collect/dispose of old stain)
- Household bleach
Paint or stain (we made a paint wash)
Drop cloths
Cloth rag (for wiping stain)
Plastic/cling wrap
- Wood filler
- Black drawer pulls (we used Hobby Lobby Floral Ring Pull)
Paint brush
Toothbrush
Step-by-Step Guide to the DIY Vintage End Table Makeover
Step 1: Preparing the Workspace
This project requires you to prep your work area, the furniture and yourself to ensure a smooth and easy furniture makeover process. Set up in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors or in a garage with the door open. Lay down drop cloths to protect your floor from spills. Most importantly, wear protective gloves while working with strong chemicals like paint stripper.
Step 2: Stripping the Old Finish with Paint Stripper
The first and most significant part of this project is to remove the top coat and original stain that covered the end table. Depending on the furniture, this can take a long time to complete. For example sometimes there are intricate details which make it harder to reach. Here is how we tackled this task.
I started by applying Klean Strip Paint and Varnish Stripper generously with a chip brush making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. You should only apply it in small sections and make sure that section does not dry out before you begin removing it. You can cover it with plastic wrap to keep it moist if necessary.
After letting the stripper sit for about 20 minutes (but you can leave it on much longer, especially to remove multiple coats), I used a plastic scraper to remove the softened finishes. You will need a plastic container to collect and dispose of the old stain that will clump together. This process took several applications, as the old varnish was very stubborn.
The legs on this end table were a little detailed so it required a little more than stripping and sanding since the crevices were still holding on to some of the old stain. In these cases, it’s necessary to apply your paint stripper with plastic wrap, let it set for at least 20 minutes, then use a heavy duty scouring pad to loosen up the stain in the hard-to reach areas.
The goal is to loosen up and scrape off as much stain as possible, but at this point, you may still be discouraged when you look at your furniture, but this next step is more promising.
Step 3: Deep Cleaning and Sanding
Once you’ve scraped off most of the stain, you’ll need to clean off the rest. You can use a cleaning solution safe for wood like TSP and water to do this. Dip a toothbrush in the solution and brush off the remaining stain on the furniture. If there are any gaps or holes, use wood filler to ensure a smooth finish before sanding.
Once the surface is dried, no longer sticky and/or most of the stain clumps are gone, you can move on to sanding. I sanded the entire piece using an orbital sander, a detailed sander and a hand sander, starting with a coarse grit and then moving to a finer grit to smooth the flat surfaces. By the way, we wrote a post about how to Choose the Right Sandpaper and Sander for Prepping Furniture in case you want a deeper dive.
Step 4: Neutralizing the Wood Tone
After stripping the solid wood end table down to its natural wood, I noticed there was orange tint in the wood grain. I wanted this furniture to have a more neutral tone so I would need to remove a little of the orange shade and I did this by bleaching the wood. I applied a solution of water and bleach, letting it sit until the wood lightened to a more neutral tone. Be sure to wear gloves during this step and work in a well-ventilated area.
Once the wood was sufficiently bleached, I applied a tan paint wash to give it a more even and neutral tone. The paint wash was a simple mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part tan paint. Use another chip brush to brush it on lightly, leave it on for maybe 30 seconds, then wipe it off with a cloth rag. If it’s not dark enough, then we’d recommend to do it again instead of applying a thick layer of paint wash the first time. We only needed to apply it once to give the wood a nice subtle shade that highlighted the natural grain without overpowering it.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
The final steps of the refinishing process involves sealing the wood and adding new drawer handles. I applied Minwax Satin Oil-based Polyurethane top coat to protect the surface and give it a nice sheen. This step is essential to preserving the wood and making the piece more durable. After the top coat dried, I installed a new handle on the drawer.
More Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips I learned along the way that might help you with your own furniture refinishing project:
Be patient with the stripping process. Depending on the thickness of the old finish, you may need to apply the stripper multiple times. Don’t rush this step—you’ll need to get down to the raw wood to refinish wood furniture evenly.
Use the right tools for detailed work. A toothbrush and steel wool are lifesavers when it comes to refinishing furniture and getting into those intricate areas that a scraper can’t reach.
Test your bleach solution on a small area first. Wood reacts differently to bleach, so it’s best to test on an inconspicuous spot before applying it to the entire piece.
Apply the paint wash lightly. It’s easier to add more color than to remove it, so start with a light wash and build up if needed.
By the way, if you want learn more about flipping furniture, we created The Ultimate Money-Making Furniture Flipping Guide for Beginners which is the most comprehensive resource you will find!
I always feel a great sense of accomplishment after refinishing vintage furniture. From a dark and dated piece, it was updated to a neutral-toned side table that perfectly fits into our new home. The combination of stripping, bleaching, and applying a paint wash allowed the natural beauty of the wood to shine through, while the new handle added a contemporary touch.
This antique furniture makeover was such a rewarding project. With some patience, the right tools, and a little creativity, you can also give new life to old furniture and create a beautiful addition to your home. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, this project is a great way to practice your skills and create something uniquely yours.
Give it a try, and if you do, share it by tagging us on Pinterest, Instagram or TikTok @hammerandhandsaw!