Furniture Refinishing as Stress Relief: Why This is My Happy Place

November 10, 2024•4 min read

Furniture Refinishing as Stress Relief: Why This is My Happy Place

It’s funny how life sometimes leads you to the things you didn’t even know you needed. I’d always been into refinishing furniture off and on—my parents’ kitchen cabinets were one of my first big projects, and I was just a teenager back then! I’d find random pieces here and there when I needed them for my own home, spruce them up, and move on. But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago, when I found myself needing real nightstands (you know, the ones with actual storage, not just those decorative tables that can barely hold a glass of water), that I fell truly in love with the whole process.

Old wooden nightstand before restoration, showcasing worn finish and scratches, ready for refinishing to bring out its original craftsmanship and beauty.

I snagged a pair of nightstands on Marketplace for $20—I practically sprinted to pick them up!—and when I got home, I started cleaning, sanding, and refinishing them. That’s when I realized something unexpected was happening. As I sanded down that old, orange finish from the tops, the stress from my day job started to melt away. The more I sanded, the more relaxed I felt. It wasn’t just about making these nightstands look pretty—it was about doing something with my hands that completely took me out of my own head. From that moment, I was hooked.

Two old nightstands in the sanding process during furniture restoration, with sander on top, removing old finish to reveal bare wood.

The Magic of Sanding

You know what part I fell in love with the most? Sanding. There’s something so therapeutic about watching the old layers of finish disappear, revealing the wood underneath. The process keeps my mind grounded in the present moment. When I’m working the sander, moving through the different grits, smoothing the wood out as much as possible, my worries about the daily grind just... vanish. It’s a simple goal, but one that’s satisfying every single time. There’s nothing quite like it.

If you're interested in giving sanding a try, here’s an affordable sander I absolutely love. It’s lightweight, reliable, and perfect for getting into that “flow” where the world just fades away and all that’s left is you and the wood.

That Giddy Feeling of Transformation

One of the best parts of furniture restoration is that moment when a piece starts to come together. You know that feeling, right? It’s like, "OMG, it actually worked!" That sense of excitement when your little idea becomes a reality. I also feel like I’m giving the piece a bit of respect, like I’m honoring what the original maker envisioned. It’s a blend of my own creativity and their craftsmanship.

Art Deco nightstand partially stripped of black paint, revealing wood grain during restoration process.

I also have to share the satisfaction of stripping paint off a piece—especially when it’s a thick, black layer that’s been hiding the beauty beneath. One recent project, a little Art Deco nightstand, was absolutely covered in black paint. I had no clue what was under there, but let me tell you, using paint stripper to uncover the wood was like unwrapping a long-lost gift. It turned out to be plain maple, not the tiger-striped veneer I had hoped for, but still, it was a satisfying discovery.

The Therapeutic Process
(with a Few Frustrations)

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the process has its challenges—like when I uncover more damage than expected. That part is definitely not as relaxing as I’d like, but I see it as a challenge to overcome. When I push through and fix the piece, I feel a sense of pride that makes it all worth it.

If you ever run into damage during your projects, I highly recommend wood filler for patching up scratches or dings. It’s my go-to for those moments when a piece has “a little more character” than I bargained for.

Finding Calm in Routine

Whenever I start a project, the first thing I do is set the mood. Music is a must—I’ll crank up something fun or relaxing, depending on the vibe of the day. Then I figure out my workspace. Anything involving toxic fumes or sanding happens outside (thankfully, I have a trusty pop-up tent for that!). It’s become a ritual that helps me ease into the work, one step at a time.

By the end of the day, I’m calmer and more fulfilled. My husband and son have even noticed how much happier I seem since I started taking on these projects regularly. There’s just something about transforming an old, worn-out piece into something beautiful that brings peace to my soul.

Could Furniture Restoration Be Your Happy Place Too?

Refinished nightstand with dark painted base and restored wood top, showcasing updated hardware.

Everyone’s path to finding calm is different, but for me, furniture restoration was a life-changer. It took something as simple as needing nightstands for my bedroom to realize that this craft could offer me not just a creative outlet, but a way to de-stress from life’s daily pressures. If you’re looking for a new hobby, I’d say this one is definitely worth exploring. Do your research, make a game plan, and dive in—you might just find that it’s your own “happy place” too.

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend products I truly believe will be valuable to my readers.

Karen Reighney

Hey, I’m Karen Reighney, the face behind Reighney Day Finds & Antiques. If you’ve stumbled across my little corner of the internet, chances are you love vintage furniture as much as I do—or at least you’re curious about what goes into turning tired, forgotten pieces into something beautiful again. My love for furniture refinishing started way back when I was a teenager, tackling my parents’ nearly 100-year-old kitchen cabinets. I stripped them down to bare wood, painted them, and realized that—despite the sweat and frustration—there’s something deeply satisfying about taking something old and worn and giving it new life. I had no idea then that those projects would lay the groundwork for what I do now, but here we are! These days, I specialize in vintage and antique pieces, with a soft spot for Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern styles. There’s just something about the clean lines, craftsmanship, and history behind these pieces that pulls me in. Whether I’m restoring a piece to its original glory or giving it a creative refresh with paint, my goal is always to respect the story behind the furniture. I love that mix of honoring the past while bringing in a fresh look that’ll fit perfectly in someone’s home today. When I’m not working on a project, you’ll probably find me with my family, doing the usual balance of home life and running my business. I’d say my husband and son have noticed that I’m much more relaxed these days—I think there’s something about working with your hands and creating that just does wonders for the soul. Through my blog, I hope to inspire others to take a chance on their own projects, whether it’s a small piece they’ve found at a flea market or something tucked away in the garage. I’m here to share what I’ve learned—both the successes and the mistakes (because, trust me, there’ve been plenty of those). At the end of the day, it’s about the joy of the process and the love for the craft. So, whether you’re here for furniture tips, stories of transformation, or just to hang out, I’m happy to have you along for the ride.

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