Old Furniture New: Practical Tips and Instructions

Do you have a cabinet sitting in the corner of your apartment that's too good to throw away, but currently serves no purpose? With just a few tools and the right techniques, you can give an old piece new life while saving both your budget and the environment.

How to get started: plan, surface, and style

Start with an inventory. Choose an item with solid construction: doors close properly, the frame doesn't rattle, and the surface has no extensive water damage. Set a clear goal, for example, "I'm turning an old dresser into an entryway cabinet" or "refreshing a chair for a rental apartment".

Measure the details and decide on a style – Scandinavian matte, natural oil finish, or a colorful accent. Always test finishes on a small, hidden area. Plan your workspace around the project: cover surfaces, ventilate the room, and allow time for drying between stages.

If you're refreshing furniture before selling or renting it out, one thoughtful project can elevate the room's impression and support your listing's visibility in Kinnisvara24 searches when the time comes to take the next step, such as buying an apartment or selling an apartment.

Tools and materials that simply work

A universal kit for home furniture refresh includes:

Fine and medium sandpaper (120–240), sanding block or orbital sander, screwdriver and hex keys, painter's tape and protective film, roller and brush, wood filler and putty knife, duster or microfiber cloth, primer and appropriate finish (wood oil, wax, varnish, or chalk paint), small fasteners (screws, anchors), and if needed, new knobs and handles.

Save on budget by choosing water-based, low-odor primers and paints, reusing existing handles after cleaning, or sourcing materials from local reuse centers. A small project typically costs 20–60 euros (paint 10–25 €, primer 8–15 €, sandpaper 3–5 €, new knobs 2–6 € each).

Safety first

Always work in a well-ventilated room, wear safety glasses, a dust mask (P2/P3 when sanding), and nitrile gloves. Turn off tools when changing bits, and secure pieces to avoid slipping.

Old items may have unknown finishes – test solvent compatibility and avoid mixing different chemicals on the same surface. For items used in damp rooms, prefer moisture-resistant finishes. Keep children and pets away from the work area until surfaces are completely dry.

Regular home maintenance also helps keep your space healthier after the project – check out our guide on how to prevent mold in the bathroom.

4 sample projects: step-by-step, with time and cost

These updates are chosen to work for both finishing a rental apartment or preparing it for sale.

1) From dresser to modern entryway cabinet (beginner-friendly, 4–6 hours, 40–80 €)

Remove the drawer pulls and clean the surface. Sand evenly to eliminate the old shine (120–180 sandpaper), fill any dents with wood filler, and sand smooth (240). Prime the entire surface and let dry. Apply two thin coats of matte or semi-matte lacquer, lightly sanding between coats. Add new handles and install soft-close slides.

Materials: primer, paint, filler, sandpaper, new knobs. Tip: choose a color that echoes details already in your apartment (e.g., your entryway mirror frame) to create a cohesive look in listing photos.

2) Refinishing wooden dining chairs with oil (beginner, 2–3 hours per chair, 15–25 € per chair)

Clean and remove loose finish with fine sanding. After removing dust, apply natural wood oil or hardwax oil in a thin coat, following the grain. Wipe away excess after 10–15 minutes and let dry. Add a second coat if needed.

Tools: sanding block, sandpaper 180–240, microfiber cloth, oil. The result highlights the wood grain and works well in a small kitchen, adding warmth and a quality feel.

3) From nightstand to bathroom cabinet (intermediate, 1 day with drying time, 50–120 €)

Check the construction and plan for moisture resistance. Remove the old finish and sand. Prime with a moisture-repellent primer, seal joints with flexible sanitary silicone. Paint with at least two coats of moisture-resistant furniture paint. Add new stainless steel handles and, if needed, ventilation holes in the back panel.

Materials: moisture-resistant primer, moisture-resistant paint, silicone, stainless steel fasteners. Tip: raise the cabinet above the floor with furniture legs to reduce splashing impact.

4) Oak board to modern sofa table (intermediate, 6–8 hours, 60–150 €)

A straight-edged solid wood board is worth restoring. Remove old varnish with chemical stripper or sander, straighten edges if needed with a hand plane. Repair cracks with wood glue and appropriate wood filler, sand smooth. Finish with tinted oil or matte varnish for a durable yet natural result.

Materials: chemical stripper or sander, wood glue, filler, oil/varnish. Tip: leave the top surface matte and pair with metal legs to suit light-filled modern interiors – if you're considering a move, explore our pages on new developments and if needed, select your target area, such as new developments in Tallinn.

Budget and time planning

Set your budget in stages: preparation (5–15 €), finishing materials (20–60 €), hardware (10–40 €), contingency (10–20% buffer). Time-wise, remember that sanding and priming take less time than drying pauses; plan your work in several shorter sessions.

If you're refinishing multiple pieces, choose the same finish to reduce costs and speed up work. If your goal is preparing the space for sale, concentrate work over a weekend and take professional photos before – later it's wise to clean through in a logical flow, using our guide on cleaning order.

Local sourcing and responsible disposal

Find materials at hardware stores, woodworking shop scraps, and reuse centers. Handles, hinges, and knobs are often cheaper if you measure in advance and check hole spacing.

If a piece isn't restorable, contact your municipality's waste facility – furniture waste is accepted as separate fractions, and wood-based pieces are usually directed to reuse or energy recovery according to handling regulations. General information on waste and circular economy is compiled by Statistics Estonia's overview of waste and circular economy.

As of 2025, Estonia has a new furniture waste management regulation requiring at least 80% reuse of all furniture waste. Estonia generates approximately 45,000 tons of furniture waste annually, of which 60% is wooden furniture, 25% is mixed materials, and 15% is metal or plastic furniture.

Furniture with electrical parts (e.g., a cabinet with lighting) should be handled as electronic waste. Before disposal, remove metal fasteners and textile parts for separate collection – this simplifies facility processing and increases reuse rates.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Don't skip the primer – primer evens absorption and gives the finish something to grip. Avoid one thick coat; two thin coats give a better and smoother result. Read product technical sheets: drying times, sanding intervals, and compatibility affect the final outcome.

In damp rooms, prefer products matching the moisture class and seal edges. After finishing, also maintain your home appliances – clean equipment keeps humidity and odors in check; see instructions on washing machine cleaning and dishwasher cleaning.

How does this connect to Kinnisvara24?

Upcycling is a small investment that makes both rental and sale apartment photos and the viewing experience far more attractive. Once you've increased your current home's value and are ready to move to your next living space, use Kinnisvara24's smart filters to find apartments to buy or browse more widely apartments for sale.

If you're planning a bigger life change, also explore factory houses. For larger projects at the housing cooperative level, our guide on housing cooperative renovation loan is helpful. If you're targeting the capital and considering space proportions, browse for inspiration one-room apartments in Tallinn.

Making new furniture from the old is a quick way to turn a space warm, personal, and sale-ready. Once you're ready to take the next step – whether selling your refreshed home, finding a new place, or comparing rental apartments – open Kinnisvara24 and start here: apartment sales or explore our price list.