Hate Your Dark-Stained Furniture? Try This DIY For A Lighter Shade

Ever fell in love with a piece of furniture but hated its dark finish? Maybe it's your grandma's old dresser that just doesn't fit with your interior style. Or maybe you scored a gorgeous chair at the thrift store, knowing it would look prettier if it weren't in a dated brown stain. Some might suggest sanding the piece and staining it a lighter color; others might tell you to use paint. While these are all great ways to upgrade furniture you already own for a new look, today's DIY doesn't require doing any of that. All you need is a varnish stripper to get that old, overpowering finish off and give it a natural, bare look instead.

Before we get started, it's important to point out that many furniture strippers contain toxic chemicals and harsh fumes. Not only do they have an overpowering smell, but they can also cause irritation, headaches, and dizziness, to list a few. The takeaway here is to choose a non-toxic stripper and avoid anything that includes methylene chloride, aka the bad guy. Always wear a mask, safety goggles, and rubber gloves. Moreover, refurbish your wooden furniture outside or in a well-ventilated room with open windows and fans blowing. Now, off we go to the DIY segment.

To lighten dark wood, brush a generous coat of varnish stripper over your piece of furniture. Instagram blogger @shellychicboutique specifically used the $75 Furniture Stripper Kit by GreenEZ, which includes both a stripper and a finishing cleaner, making the whole process easy-peasy. Not to mention, it's also 100% non-toxic and odorless. Another less-toxic alternative is the Citristrip® Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel on Amazon for under $18. This one has an orange scent to it and will also get the job done without the harmful chemicals.

Next, let the product sit and work its magic. Depending on the stripper used, the waiting time can range from 30 minutes to an hour or more — so make sure you read the instructions on the container. Once the stain has wrinkled up, scrape it off using a paint scraper (preferably a plastic one to prevent scratches). You can also use a 0000 steel wool or bristle brush to scrub curved surfaces, like @shellychicboutique did in the video.

Don't forget: While some furniture strippers require neutralizing, others don't. Again, you'll want to check the product's instructions to find out if you need to clean your wood furniture with a lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, or just water. Lastly, wipe down with a clean rag or towel and give the furniture some time to dry. And there you have it — a beautiful, light wood finish. You don't even need to seal it, though feel free to do so if you want to preserve its natural beauty for longer.