Tricks to Fix Bumps, Nicks, Discoloration or Dents in Wood

Wooden furniture is beautiful and hardwood floors are a treasured commodity in real estate and interior design, but wood can become damaged all to easily and lose its shine over time. Whether your furniture has suffered a few scrapes and dents, or simply needs to be polished, the solution is much less complicated than you might think.

Here are some incredibly simple ways to spruce up your furniture…

Scratches

The cheapest and easiest DIY fix I’ve ever come across makes fixing scratched table legs so easy you’ll actually enjoy doing it. Yes, really! Simply get a walnut, rub it against the scratch and watch it disappear almost instantly.

Dents

Whether you’ve discovered a dent in your floor or your wooden garden furniture, don’t worry as it can easily be fixed. Check first that the dent is just compressed wood instead of wood that’s been chipped away, because while this technique does seem like magic, it won’t create wood out of thin air.

If you’re sure it’s simply a dent, then it’s time to get out your iron and some paper towels. Make sure the wood hasn’t been coated in a finish that will turn white when steamed by using the iron on an small patch that will be hidden from view.

Once you’ve assured yourself the heat won’t affect the furniture, simply wet the area with the dent, place the paper towel on top and move your iron in circles on top of the towel, check the area every minute or so and you’ll see a huge difference when you’re done. (Should take less than 5 minutes, but depends on the size of the dent.)

Polish

If the wax on your kitchen table has started to wear down and your table is at risk of becoming stained, then it’s time to re-polish it. All you need to do this is super fine steel wool, gloves, some rags, a cleaner and wax remover, and fine paste wax.

Wipe the entire table (or whatever other furniture you are polishing) with a cloth that has been dampened with the wax remover. Leave the piece for a few minutes to dry, and then wipe it down with a dry cloth. Next, apply the polish sparingly and leave it for 20 minutes. Use another dry cloth to rub the piece down again, removing any leftover wax.

Paint

Many people, me included, have attempted to paint a piece of wooden furniture, only to end up with brush marks or a sticky surface. After scouring the web for techniques and tips I finally stumbled upon something that worked for me, so I’ll share it with you here.

You’ll need oil paint and a lot of patience. Wet the surface and lightly sand it while it’s wet to avoid scratches, then let it dry and apply the first coat of paint. Let the paint dry overnight before repeating the wet sanding and paint again the next day; to get the best look you’ll need to add several coats.

A water-based clear finish is great if you want that extra level of sheen, just don’t use an oil based finish because it could discolour your piece.

Do you have any other tips or tricks for restoring hardwood floors or wooden furniture?

Estelle Page is an interior designer who’s always on the hunt for new ways to improve her furniture and renew old pieces rather than chuck them out to buy new ones.