If you love the look of oak but your pieces are looking tired, refinishing is one of the most effective ways to refresh your home without buying new. The average cost to refinish a single piece of furniture is about $629, so learning how to do it yourself can save a meaningful amount while keeping quality oak furniture in use for years. In this guide we walk through how to refinish solid oak and oak veneer, using real examples from oak sideboards, oak dining tables, oak bedroom furniture and an oak TV stand.
Key Takeaways
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. What is the first step in refinishing oak furniture? | Start with a careful inspection so you know if you have solid oak or oak veneer, then clean the surface to remove wax, polish and grime before any sanding. |
| 2. Can I refinish all types of oak furniture the same way? | Not exactly. Solid oak dining tables and sideboards can handle deeper sanding. Oak veneer on pieces like small oak sideboards needs lighter sanding and more care to avoid sanding through the top layer. |
| 3. Is refinishing cheaper than buying new oak furniture? | Often yes, especially for large pieces. A new quality oak sideboard or oak TV stand can cost several hundred pounds, so refinishing a sound piece can be very cost effective. |
| 4. What kind of finish should I use on oak? | For most homes a clear lacquer, hardwax oil or polyurethane works well because they protect the open grain of oak and are fairly easy to maintain. Our oak furniture care guide explains how to look after these finishes. |
| 5. How do I choose between light oak, stained or painted finishes? | Think about the room. Light oak finishes suit modern spaces and match many living room layouts, while darker stains work well with traditional oak bedroom furniture. Painted bases with oak tops give a softer look. |
| 6. How much sanding is safe on oak veneer? | On veneer you should only sand lightly by hand, just enough to dull the old finish. If you see pale substrate or lose the grain pattern, you have gone too far. |
| 7. How long does a refinished oak piece last? | With good care, refinished oak furniture can last decades. Regular dusting and avoiding harsh cleaners, as described in our care resources, help the finish stay in good condition. |
1. Why Refinish Oak Furniture Instead of Replacing It?
Oak furniture is built to last, so it often makes more sense to refinish a worn surface than to send a solid piece to the tip. Whether you own a compact oak sideboard, a generous oak dining table, or a heavy oak TV stand, the structure usually outlives the finish on top.
Refinishing lets you keep the strength and character of the wood while updating the colour and sheen to match your current style. This is especially useful for oak bedroom furniture sets that you want to coordinate, or when you are working around a favourite item such as a long oak sideboard.
2. How to Tell if Your Oak Furniture Is Solid or Veneer
Before you start sanding anything, you need to know if your piece is solid oak or veneer. Solid oak sideboards and tables can handle more aggressive prep work than veneered panels on modern cabinets or doors.
Simple checks you can do at home
- Look at the edges: if the grain pattern wraps seamlessly from the top surface down the edge, it is more likely solid oak. A change of pattern at the edge often signals veneer.
- Check underneath and inside: the underside of tops and the insides of drawers often reveal a different, plainer wood when the surface is veneered oak.
- Weight and feel: large solid oak sideboards or an oak dining table feel very heavy for their size compared with engineered boards.
Modern pieces often combine solid frames with veneered panels, which is a smart way to handle wood movement on large surfaces. Our detailed guide on oak veneer versus solid wood explains why this construction works so well on big tops and long doors.
3. Planning your Oak Refinishing Project: Rooms, Styles and Budget
Next, think about where the piece lives and how you use it. An oak TV stand in a busy living room needs a tougher finish than a decorative console in a hallway. An oak dining table that sees daily meals and homework needs both durability and easy cleaning.
Refinishing projects fall into three broad groups:
- Light refresh: clean, lightly sand, and add a fresh coat of oil or clear varnish.
- Colour change: strip or sand off the old finish and apply a new stain or tinted oil.
- Full restyle: painted bases with an oak top, popular on oak sideboards and oak bedroom furniture to soften the look.
If you were to hire a professional, typical refinishing costs for a solid oak table or similar piece often land between $300 and $900, so having a budget in mind helps you decide whether to DIY, pay for some stages, or buy new.
4. Tools and Materials You Need to Refinish Oak Furniture Safely
A successful refinish is mostly about preparation and patience. Good tools make the process faster and help protect the wood, especially on oak veneer where you do not have much depth to work with.
Basic kit for most oak projects
- Dust masks, safety glasses and gloves.
- Screwdriver and masking tape to label doors and drawers, important on larger oak sideboards.
- Sanding paper in grits 80, 120, 180 and 240, plus sanding blocks or an orbital sander for solid oak.
- Wood cleaner or mild detergent, clean rags and tack cloths.
- Finish of your choice, for example clear varnish, hardwax oil, stain and topcoat, or furniture paint for mixed finishes.
For very old finishes or built up polish you may also need a chemical stripper, but we always suggest starting with cleaning and test sanding in a hidden area first.
5. Step‑by‑Step: Stripping, Sanding and Smoothing Oak
This is the part most people worry about, but with a clear method it is very manageable. Always work with the grain of the oak to avoid scratches that show through the final finish.
Step 1: Clean and de‑wax
Start by wiping your oak sideboard or table with a mild cleaner to remove grease. If you suspect wax or silicone polish, use a de‑waxing solution so your new finish can bond properly.
Step 2: Remove the old finish
- On solid oak: sand with 80 or 120 grit to remove most of the old finish, then move up through 150 and 180 grit.
- On oak veneer: skip the coarse grits and start at 150 or 180, sanding lightly by hand.
- For thick varnish, a chemical stripper applied and scraped gently with a plastic scraper can save time and protect edges.
Step 3: Final smoothing
Finish with 220 or 240 grit to get a smooth feel, especially on table tops and the top of an oak TV stand where you want an even sheen. Wipe with a tack cloth to remove dust before you apply any new finish.
6. Choosing the Right Finish for Oak: Clear, Stained or Painted
Once you have bare, smooth oak, the finish you choose will decide the final look and how practical it is for that room. Over 60 percent of homeowners say they prefer finishes that let natural wood variation show, and oak is ideal for that because of its open, characterful grain.
Popular finishes for oak furniture
| Finish Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear lacquer or varnish | Oak dining tables, oak TV stands, sideboard tops | Hard wearing, wipeable, keeps natural colour | Harder to repair small patches invisibly |
| Hardwax oil | Oak bedroom furniture, lightly used tops | Soft sheen, easy to refresh, natural feel under hand | Less resistant to standing water and heat |
| Stain plus clear topcoat | Colour matching sets or floors | Wide colour choice, from light oak to smoked | Extra step, needs test pieces for colour |
| Painted body with clear oak top | Sideboards, chests, TV units | Brightens rooms, hides repairs on bases | More masking and prep work |
Apply thin, even coats and follow drying times carefully. For oak, two to three coats of most finishes give a good balance of protection and a pleasant feel.
7. Special Tips for Oak Sideboards, Oak Dining Tables and Oak TV Stands
Different pieces of oak furniture have slightly different needs when you refinish them. The goal is the same, to protect the wood and fit the room, but the details vary with use.
Oak sideboards and cabinets
- Label every door and drawer as you remove it so everything lines up again cleanly.
- Focus on the top and front, which take the most wear. Interiors often just need cleaning and a light refresh.
- On a compact sideboard, a clear finish in a light oak tone can keep the room feeling open, especially in smaller living rooms.
Oak dining tables
- Spend extra time sanding the top evenly. Any low spots will show once light hits the finish.
- Choose a high durability finish and allow full cure time before heavy use, even if it feels dry to the touch.
- Consider felt pads on chair legs and trivets for hot dishes to help your new finish last.
Oak TV stand
- Use a heat and scratch resistant finish because TV units see constant use and cable movement.
- Protect cable cut outs and ventilation slots from drips when you apply finishes to avoid build up.
8. Working with Light Oak, Dark Stains and Painted Finishes
If you are refinishing oak furniture to match existing pieces, pay attention to tone. Light oak sideboards, for example, pair well with paler floors and neutral walls, while darker stained oak feels richer and more traditional.
Light oak finishes
To keep a light look, avoid heavily amber oils and choose clear or slightly tinted finishes that do not darken the grain too much. Always test on the underside of a table top or inside a removable door first, especially on oak bedroom furniture where colour consistency matters.
Painted and mixed finishes
Painting bases and leaving tops in clear oak is popular on both sideboards and TV units. Prep painted areas by sanding and priming thoroughly, then protect the oak top separately with a compatible clear finish. This approach lets you keep the warmth of oak without making the room feel heavy.
9. Maintenance After Refinishing: Keeping Oak Looking Its Best
Once you have invested time into refinishing your oak furniture, a simple routine will help it stay looking good. Oak’s open grain benefits from gentle care rather than harsh chemicals.
Everyday and seasonal care
- Dust regularly with a soft cloth to avoid fine scratches in the new finish.
- Wipe spills quickly, especially on dining tables and sideboards where drinks and food are served.
- Use coasters and placemats on oak TV stands and bedside tables to prevent water rings.
- Keep furniture away from intense direct heat sources, which can dry the wood.
A yearly check for worn spots on edges and handles lets you touch up early, before you need to repeat a full refinish.
10. When to Refinish and When to Replace Oak Furniture
Not every item is worth a full refinish. Some older pieces of oak furniture have structural issues that are expensive to fix, while others only need a quick refresh. It can help to compare the likely refinishing cost against the price of a new, well built oak piece.
Questions to ask before you start
- Is the frame solid and stable, with doors and drawers that align properly?
- Are there deep splits or water damage that go beyond the surface?
- Does the size still fit your home, for example a long sideboard in a smaller room?
As a guide, a new compact solid oak sideboard with two doors and two drawers can be around £285.00 on offer, while a larger long sideboard might be around £525.00. If your current piece is sound and the style still works for you, refinishing is usually worth the effort.
Conclusion
Refinishing oak furniture is one of the most practical ways to refresh your home while keeping well made pieces in use. With a careful inspection to distinguish solid oak from veneer, the right sanding approach, and a finish chosen for how you live, you can give new life to oak sideboards, oak dining tables, oak bedroom furniture and your oak TV stand.
If you decide some items are not worth the work, or you want to mix refinished pieces with something new, it can be helpful to look at current light oak and solid oak designs for inspiration on proportions, finishes and storage layouts. Whether you refinish, replace, or do a bit of both, understanding how oak behaves and how finishes work on it will help you make better choices for every room.