Vintage Home Furniture

Refinishing Old Oak Bedroom Furniture ..help!?

I'm a 20 year old girl (I like modern and bohemian themed rooms) that is opting to switch my new oversized bedroom furniture with older furniture (that actually fits in my room) from my guest bedroom...The only problem is that the furniture is this hideous 80's style oak furniture with lots of curlicues, cheesy faux-marble (i think its plastic) and frost mirror finishing. I'm thinking of refinishing it with my Dad, but I don't have a lot of experience..(he's decent with power tools). Any ideas to refinish/remodel it ..and overall change it? Or should I just give up now, and keep the oversized new furniture?

Public Comments

1. I think it is worth it to try fixing it up and taking the cheesy accessories off. We commissioned an artist to do this with our headboard.
2. Well if it isn't really wood, you couldn't refinish it. Especially if it is plastic. Spray paint would probably be your best bet.
3. That sounds like a lot of work and like it will be hard to visualize the results. I suggest looking in thrift stores and want ads for a new set of used furniture and then painting it. I got a nifty 50's oak bedroom set from a thrift store for $50 and painted it two different shades of blue. Anyone can paint and then you have a better idea of what your results will look like.
4. I just painted my laminate cabinets. If I can make those look great, you can make a change in your furniture. Use a primer and if it is laminate --2 coats. Then 2 coats of paint with a good brush. If you like modern--try painting black and replacing with silver handles. You could do a faux finish to make it look like tropical furniture. Try HGTV website and the hardware store. You may have to keep the top a single color and just faux the rest.
5. I'd take off the cheesy fake marble. I wouldn't try taking off the curlicues...I would paint all of the furniture white...it will look great and modern! For the frost mirror finishing, you can sandpaper it off. And don't give up!
6. Don't give up if you aren't happy with it. Your bedroom should be a haven. Painting furniture is always an option but has to be primed. If you so decide to refinish, go for a darker stain and a hand rubbed waxed finish. Polyurethane sealers will make it look too shiny and new.
7. I think painting it a real cool color (like pink?) and going with some really funky wallpaper to complement it would be neat.