Making a purchase of unfinished furntiture allows the buyer to save money, but also gives the opportunity to finish the piece on their own. This can give a person the satisfaction of creating a beautiful piece for their home, possibly making a family heirloom to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Unfinished cabinet furniture can be purchased at various retail outlets, specialty unfinished furniture stores, and also at many online locations. Prices will reflect a discount of as much as 50 percent off of the price you may pay for a finished item. The first time home buyer or a person with a limited budget will appreciate the chance to furnish a space for a fraction of the cost of finished furniture. It may also allow for the purchase of a better quality item, as the price unfinished will likely rival the cost of a lesser quality piece.

After choosing just the right new addition to your home, it is important to get educated in the finishing process. The how-to information sought can be found in books on the subject, and also on the websites of manufacturers of paint and stain products.

Different grades of sandpaper may be utilized in the finishing process. Always purchase a good quality of sandpaper in the grit that is recommended for your particular type of wood. Generally, a medium grit is used to begin the process of finishing your furniture, however, very soft woods may require a finer grade. Sanding your piece will not only smooth surfaces, but also allows the paint or stain to be better absorbed. Depending on the finish desired, you may be advised to do multiple sandings, between coats of stain or gloss. After you have sanded to the desire finish, be sure to wipe clean your piece using a special cloth designed for this purpose.

Picking the color or stain to be used can be a fun part of the process. There are as many colors available as you can imagine, both in paint and stain. Matching a color to a piece you already have can be done with color charts, or if you are looking for a perfect match, you can purchase a small amount of your color and apply it to a discreet place for comparison. Alternately, you can apply the stain or paint to a similar grade of wood and use this sample as a measure for color matching.

Painting your unfinished furntiture will allow your artistic streak to show. Paint can be done in the more expected colors of white, cream or black, but you can also bid goodbye to tradition and make a statement with different colors or paint designs that will reflect your personal style.

The final process when creating your personal masterpiece is as important as the earlier steps. Patience while completing your job will yield the best results possible. Allowing each coat of color to dry is extremely important. After you are satisfied with the color you have achieved, follow manufacturers directions to apply a clear coat, for sealing the color and to protect the finish. You may wish to apply several coats of gloss to make for a shiny surface.

When carefully chosen, prepared and finished, a treasure can be made from an otherwise uninspired piece of furniture.

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