Preparation

• 1). Remove cushions from the furniture.
  
  
• 2). Shelter the floor beneath the furniture from drips and splatters by covering it with plastic dropcloths. Cover the plastic dropcloths with fabric ones to prevent pooling.
  
  
• 3). Remove dust from the furniture by wiping it with a tack cloth.
  
  
• 4). Cover portions of the furniture you do not want refinished with painter's tape and plastic coverings.
  
  

Stain

• 1). Coat the furniture with a coat of stain, using a paintbrush, made for use with oil-based finishes. Add more coats for richer color. Allow two hours of drying time between each coat.
  
  
• 2). Clean the brush with mineral spirits.
  
  
• 3). Wait at least six hours. Coat the furniture with a coat of varnish, using the clean brush. Wait a full day before using the furniture.
  
  

Paint

• 1). Coat the furniture with a coat of acrylic latex primer, using a paintbrush, made for use with water-based finishes.
  
  
• 2). Clean the brush with water.
  
  
• 3). Wait at least two hours. Coat the furniture with semi-gloss or gloss latex paint, using the clean brush. Wait a full day before using the furniture.