my Spa Shop-Articles

So you've taken the plunge and bought a piece of bare wood furniture. Congratulations! It is an excellent value for the money, and with appropriate care, can last for generations.

Optimistically, before you made the investment, you already had a clear idea what you wanted to do with the piece, but if not, then before you get the first tool and begin to work, it's time to plan! A little investment in time now will save you a great number of issues down the road.

Where bare wood furniture is concerned, you essentially have three alternatives for finishing the piece, and they're:

Leave the wood "naked"

Paint it

Stain it

Each of these alternatives requires a bit of work on your part in order to protect your investment and increase the beauty and functionality of the piece.

The easiest thing you can to do "finish" your new piece of bare wood furniture is to let it stay in its usual state. If you choose this option, you will probably want to protect the wood by coating it in some kind of wood protecting oil (linseed oil is usually used on a wide variety of bare wood), but there are other products available also. Always, always, always test first by applying a small quantity of the oil you selected to an unseen corner of the wood to ensure that it will not cause any discoloration or other reaction in the wood. Once assured of this, you can safely apply your chosen protective oil to the whole piece.

If you decide to paint your bare wood furniture, you've quite a lot to think about, other than color choosing. Kind of paint, for instance. If a piece is to be positioned in a bathroom, you'll possibly want to gravitate toward a glossy paint, as these stand up well to the high moist environment. For high traffic/heavily used pieces, semi-gloss paints offer a good balance of good looks and durability, and if the piece is planned for a lower traffic/lower intensity environment, then flat or satin finishes will serve you fine.

Now's also the time to consider whether or not you'll have any form of border or scrollwork on your bare wood furniture. If you're not specifically artistically inclined, there are many appealing stencils you can use, readily available at home stores (Lowe's, Home Depot), arts and craft shops (Michael's), and sometimes at chain retail outlets (Wal-Mart, Target), so you've got several options. Of course, if you're artistically inclined or know someone who is, a hand painted border is a good approach to really personalize the piece!

At last, you might decide to stain your new piece of furniture. This is my own favorite method of finishing pieces, even though it takes the longest, and if this is the direction you wish to go, again, you've got quite a lot of decisions to make, beginning with the type of stain you'll use. Stains come in oil-based, water-based, or gel, and while my own preference runs to oil based, you will want to experiment to check which works best for you. Obviously, you don't wish to experiment directly on your new piece of furniture, so I recommend purchasing an unfinished wood shelf of the same kind of wood from your local home shop and experiment on that. When you make a firm selection, you can proceed with confidence and start working on your bare wood furniture direct.

Make a plan, have some fun, and enjoy your new piece of bare wood furniture, no matter how you choose to finish it!

The Perfect Way To Wax Unpainted Wood Furniture
Waxing unpainted wood furniture is a very popular way of finishing the piece. If you are going to wax your recent purchase, you need to first seal the wood so that it doesn't remain porous.

The Significance Of A Round Glass Coffee Table To The Overall Charm Of Your House
There are some modern houses these days that choose to omit coffee tables from their decors. They are opting for more luxurious looking pieces and other homes go for the minimalist look and do not place as much materials inside.

Important Considerations When It Comes To Small Coffee Tables
It doesn't matter if you have small or big house, as long as you do everything to create the kind of atmosphere that is both homey and inviting. As you enter the living room, people will surely notice small coffee tables if you have placed these at prominent areas.

Staining Wood Furniture - Some General Info You Will Need To Know
When staining wood furniture, it's important to understand just how vital sanding and experimentation are, as these two aspects of the process can dramatically impact the overall appearance of your finished product.

Advice To Picking The Best Mahogany Dining Chairs
Looking for high class mahogany dining chairs to match the looks of your dining room is not hard if you know where to look. Find out more about how you can find and purchase affordable mahogany dining chairs now.

Unvarnished Oak Pieces Of Furniture - You Find Wonderful Varieties
Oak is a beautiful wood and has been used for making furniture for centuries. Buying unfinished oak furniture allows you to

Several Recommendations That You Might Find Useful To Shop At Your Local Home Furnishing Stores.
Here we offer some tips that you may find helpful that could not only save you money but also get the furniture that you want.

Are You Seeking Unfinished Wood Furniture Shops?
You can find unfinished wood furniture stores in most outlet villages or alternatively you could shop online. The problem with buying furniture online is the fact that you can't see the actual pieces.

Trying To Get A New Cedar Garden Furniture To Put In The Backyard?
When you are looking for a new garden bench you should really consider a cedar garden bench. Cedar is a great wood that is made to withstand the elements therefore making it last a very long time.

How To Varnish Bare Wooden Furniture Items
Buying bare wood furniture can save you a lot of money. Here are five tips to help you achieve the best result from painting unfinished wood furniture: