Staining your wood furniture can be a great way to freshen it up or achieve a more cohesive look in your living spaces. Before you begin, it’s especially important to plan ahead because of the permanent nature of wood stains.

First, do some research and pick your stain type and color. There are many types, such as oil stain, varnish stain and gel stain, and there are pros and cons for each type. When choosing your stain color, keep in mind that stains tend to dry lighter than they initially appear. It’s always a good idea to test the stain on a piece of scrap wood first.

Once you’ve chosen your stain, you’ll need to sand your piece to prepare it for the stain. This will help remove imperfections, unevenness and any other stains or products that are on the surface of the wood. Be careful sanding, though, as it’s certainly possible to end up with a less even surface than you started out with if you’re not careful.

Once your furniture is sanded, it’s time to stain. Apply the stain generously over your furniture, and then be patient and give it the time it needs to dry. Each coat of stain you add will darken the color, so add as many layers of stain as you want to achieve your desired look, being sure to follow the directions of the stain you are using with regard to drying times.

Finally, after you finish staining your piece you’ll want to follow up with several coats of polyurethane. Polyurethane is a sealant that helps to fortify wood, protect it from scratches and keep water out of it. Some polyurethane sealers Longmont CO are oil-based, which will affect the color of your piece by giving it a warmer look, while others are water-based, which will stay clear and keep the color of your stain intact.

Staining wood furniture is an easy way to Following these simple steps for staining your furniture will help you update your indoor or outdoor furniture in no time!