Wood furniture is made to be long-lasting. Heirloom-quality wooden furniture can endure for decades and be passed down for generations. Wood furniture is not made to withstand the test of time. However, it can be damaged by regular wear and tear. If you have a beloved piece of wood furniture that has seen better days, you don’t have to dispose of it just yet. Check out these easy repair techniques for broken wood furniture to salvage your favorite furniture pieces.
Apply superglue or wood-filler epoxy resin to small broken bits and gaps
Superglue or wood-filler epoxy resin are both great options for repairing wood furniture that has slight cracks, small breaks, or pieces that have fallen off. These materials can be used to securely bond the pieces of wood together. Simply place the resin or glue on any furniture pieces that are still intact to apply the break. Place the broken pieces on the furniture, and then hold them in place. Press down so that there are no gaps. Once dry, you can remove excess glue or resin. You can fill gaps with resin. Let it dry. For both of these options, you can go over the glue area with the same stain as the wood for a seamless look and finish.
New hinges for lopsided or broken cabinets and doors
On items with cabinets, such as a vintage media console, if the cabinet doors are sagging, broken off, or nonfunctional, you may be able to fix them and salvage the item. If the cabinet door is not removed from the furniture, you can remove it and the hinges. Purchasing new hinges is inexpensive, and they are easy to install, especially if the cabinet door already has existing holes for hinges. Use a power drill to install the hinges and then reattach the door. After these steps, the door should be functional and looking like new. Many people don’t realize how fixable broken cabinet doors can be with a little creativity.
Sanding and restaining scratches and dents
If there are significant scratches and dents in the wood to the point that you’re considering throwing the piece away entirely, stop and try to sand them out first. This is an enormous project but it can usually be done. Begin by stripping off any paint or stain. After this step is complete, use sandpaper to sand down the scratches. It’s important to sand with the grain so it retains a smooth surface. Once you’ve removed the scratches and dents, you can brush off the dust particles and either restain or paint the wood, and your piece should look as good as new!
If you have trouble completing these tasks on your own, contact a trusted wood furniture repair shop or dealer for advice, services, and more. With the right care, most wood furniture can still be salvaged.
