We have been flipping furniture for some time now and along the way, we’ve gathered some knowledge that we thought would be helpful to share for those who want to make the most out of their furniture flipping but not quite sure what to do next. Here, we’re sharing 10 must-have tools with updated, direct links to our favorite items plus real-life examples of how we’ve used them.
By the way, when you’re ready to fully deep dive into furniture flipping, you’ll need a copy of our eBook, The Ultimate Money-Making Furniture Flip Guide for Beginners. Don’t figure it all out on your own when the blueprint is laid out for you!
1. Orbital Sander
Link: Our Favorite DEWALT Orbital Sander on Amazon
Why You Need This:
Have you ever sanded a large piece of furniture by hand? Unless it is a delicate piece with a lot of intricate details, we wouldn’t recommend hand sanding an entire project. An electric sander, particularly in our case an orbital sander, really speeds up the process of sanding off old varnish and paint in a lot less time. If you aren’t quite sure what kind of sander or sandpaper fits your projects, we’ve got you covered in this guide to choosing the right sander for your projects.
How We Used It:
We used our old DEWALT orbital sander to quickly prep these vintage chairs in this jaw-dropping dining chair refinishing project. The results were night and day! We’ve have had no issues at all with this electric sander even through so many DIY, home renovation and furniture flipping projects throughout the years.
2. Paint Stripper
Link: Klean-Strip Green 1 Quart Paint and Varnish Stripper on Home Depot
Why You Need This:
Okay now you’ve tried to sand down a stubborn finish but you had no idea how many layers of old paint there were. What can you do? Instead of taking hours to sand it down, you may instead consider using a paint stripper. They are particularly effective for removing old paint, so it’s a wise choice for furniture projects.
The right one will cut through all the layers to get down to the raw wood and the wrong one will waste your time and create a bigger problem. There are various types of paint strippers that come in liquid, gel, and paste forms. There are also strong chemical-based varieties and “green” variations. Given the many choices, you will need to choose the paint stripper than best suits your needs. Our recommendation is Citri-Strip for smaller paint removal projects and Klean-Strip or any chemical paint stripper for the more difficult furniture flips.
3. Quality Furniture Paint
Link: Rust-Oleum Milk Paint on Amazon
Why You Need This:
We used to think that you could use any paint on furniture as long as you seal it properly. We’ve since learned that every step of the process, from cleaning, sanding, priming and painting, makes a significant difference in the final finish. That being said, we recommend using a furniture paint that is specially formulated to withstand wear and tear with professional-looking finish.
One of the top choices for furniture paint is Rust-Oleum Milk Paint. We’ve tried it and this paint is very durable! We also like to use Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel on furniture flipping projects as well.
We’ve also started applying paint washes to our furniture pieces, which is another technique that gives your furniture a new look, without completely masking the wood grain. We have been using this paint wash formulation that updates reddish- or orange-tinted furniture to a beautiful “white oak” look.
How We Used It:
For our dresser makeover, we used Sherwin Williams’ Indigo Batik—a stunning choice that transformed the entire piece.
4. Wood Filler
Link: Find Wood Filler on Amazon
Why You Need This:
Wood filler is something you will need on hand when working with wood furniture to fix major dents and imperfections. You’ll choose a wood filler that most closely matches the color of your furniture. Then you’ll apply a small amount in the damaged area with a putty knife, let it dry, then sand it down to create a smooth surface. This step ensures that your finish is flawless every time.
How We Used It:
Also in our dresser makeover, the new drawer pulls we bought would not fit in the existing holes. So we used a power drill to create new hardware holes and wood filler to fill the old holes. We almost always need a little wood filler here and there when restoring or customizing older furniture pieces.
Related Link: 20 Websites for FREE Woodworking Plans
5. Chemical-Resistant Gloves
Link: Shop Chemical-Resistant Gloves on Amazon
Why You Need This:
Flipping furniture can be messy and harsh on your hands. Chemical-resistant gloves are a must when handling paint stripper, glue, or cleaning solutions as your first line of defense.
We’d also recommend wearing safety glasses and a mask if you are using a paint sprayer or certain sanding projects to protect your eyes from splintering wood and chemical agents.
Related Tip:
If you’re just starting out, our guide on How to Start Flipping Furniture covers essential tools and techniques to get you going.
6. Drop Cloths
Link: Check Out Drop Cloths on Amazon
Why You Need This:
The primary reason to get a drop cloth is to protect your workspace, as we’re sure you would rather keep most of the paint on your furniture and not on your floor. Plastic drop cloths are typically reusable so it’s also practical and eco-friendly.
7. Furniture Wax or Polyurethane Finish
Link: Find Furniture Wax and Polyurethane on Amazon
Why You Need This:
After all the work you put into this furniture flipping project, you will want to make sure your piece is properly sealed to last. You can do this by applying a furniture wax or polyurethane seal. The one you choose will depend on your furniture refinishing project. Furniture wax typically gives soft, matte sheen, while polyurethane has a tougher, glossy coat.
How We Used It:
Our vintage end table makeover was another fun furniture refinishing project where we decided to use Minwax Oil Based Poly in Warm Satin to finish the project.
8. Chip Brushes
Link: Shop Chip Brushes on Amazon
Why You Need This:
To apply stain, primer, or glue, chip brushes are the unsung heroes of your furniture flipping tools. They’re inexpensive, disposable, and perfect for tasks where precision isn’t key. We end up using a chip brush on almost every flip.
9. Paint Sprayer
Link: Check Out Paint Sprayers on Amazon
Why You Need This:
As part of your furniture flipping journey, we suggest learning how to use essential tools like paint sprayers to effectively and efficiently elevate the look of your projects. Using a paint sprayer will give you even coats every time, making it ideal for larger projects or detailed furniture with lots of curves and crevices. It saves you so much time and effort compared to using your usual brushes and rollers.
Related Tip:
We recommend first starting with smaller pieces to master your sprayer technique. Check out our 5 Furniture Flipping Tips You Need to Know post for more beginner tips.
10. Quality Paint Brushes
Link: Find High-Quality Paint Brushes on Amazon
Why You Need This:
We mentioned chip brushes for the messy work but you’ll also need quality paint brushes for the detail work and touch-ups. And the actual quality of your paint brushes makes a significant difference. They right brush will give you smooth finishes, crisp lines, and most importantly, no annoying bristles left behind.
With the right tools in your corner, you’ll be ready to tackle any furniture project with confidence. From dining chairs to dressers, these furniture flipping tools will make your project fun, efficient, and rewarding.
Want to go deeper? Check out our ebook, The Ultimate Money-Making Furniture Flip Guide for Beginners, for expert advice, insider tips, and detailed techniques to take your flipping skills to the next level.
👉 Get the Furniture Flip Guide Here
Let us know which tools are your favorites—or which ones you’re adding to your collection next! Reach out to us on Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok @hammerandhandsaw.
