Ever wonder how to choose the perfect wood finish for every room in the house?
One bad finish can make a room look terrible. It can also damage the wood over time, costing you thousands to replace.
Luckily… Selecting wood finishes for every room isn’t hard once you know what you’re doing.
Whether it’s your kitchen table, bedroom dresser, or living room shelf… Choosing the right finish can make all the difference.
Table of Contents
Here’s what we’re covering:
- Why Wood Finishes Are More Important Than You Realize
- Common Wood Finishes Explained
- Choosing The Right Finish For EVERY Room
- Furniture Paint For A Distressed Finish
Let’s jump in!
Why Wood Finishes Are More Important Than You Realize
Believe it or not, wood finishes serve a purpose other than making your furniture look nice.
They seal the wood from moisture, scratches, and general wear and tear. Without a wood finish, wood can quickly become dry, brittle, and weak.
And guess what…
People are spending more money on home improvements than ever. Harvard’s Joint Center For Housing Studies predict homeowner renovation spending will reach $522 billion by the end of 2026.
That includes furniture and home interior upgrades.
Insert important lesson here: If people are spending more money fixing up their home, they expect their furniture to last. Choosing the right wood finish is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment.
The right wood finish also makes the room feel like a certain way. Glossy = modern and clean. Matte = natural. Distressed furniture paint finishes = vintage vibes and adds character to any room.
Using a quality furniture paint for your distressed finish is important. Check out www.rmpfinishes.com for a full range of finishing supplies.
Kind of cool when you think about it.
Common Wood Finishes Explained
There are many different wood finishes to choose from. Some better for doors. Others better for furniture. Let’s explore the most popular finishes and what they have to offer.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a finish you’ll find on most furniture. It’s durable and provides a hard coating that protects against scratches, water, and heat. Poly finishes come in both water-based and oil-based formulas.
Water-based polyurethane dries clear and faster. Oil-based poly adds a warm amber tint to the wood.
Lacquer
Lacquer is a quick-drying finish that creates a high gloss shine. It’s good for decorative furniture that won’t get heavy daily use. Not so great on furniture that gets used regularly, though. Because it’s not very scratch-resistant.
Oil Finishes
As the name implies, oil finishes soak into the wood. They don’t coat wood like other finishes. Giving it more of natural feel and look. There are many oil finishes out there. Two popular ones are tung oil and linseed oil.
Oil finishes are great for enhancing wood grain, but need to be reapplied every few months.
Wax
Wax provides furniture with a very low sheen. It’s perfect for antique pieces or furniture that you want to give a nice warm glow. Wax isn’t very durable and needs regular maintenance.
Furniture Paint For A Distressed Look
Distressed furniture paint finishes have been very popular for years. Why? They’re fun, easy, and allow you to get creative. The furniture paint market size is expected to reach USD 8.8 billion by 2034, according to leading industry data. Growing at a rate of 6.3% per year.
Chalk paint is a popular choice when learning how to paint wood furniture. It’s easily accessible and simple to work with.
How To Choose The Right Finish For EVERY Room
You wouldn’t use the same finish on bathroom cabinets as you would your dining room table. So where should you use which finish? It all depends on the conditions of each room.
Kitchen
The kitchen is full of heat, water, and spills. You need a finish that can withstand all of that daily.
The go-to finish is oil-based polyurethane. It’s durable and creates a water-resistant seal. Make sure to do 2-3 coats min.
Living Room
Typically the living room is where furniture needs to look its best. Style is most important in this room. You want your coffee table bookshelf or TV unit to ooze style.
Go with water-based polyurethane for a clean modern look. Or use distressed paint furniture techniques for a rugged, vintage vibe.
Bedroom
Since bedrooms are low traffic rooms, you don’t have to worry about your furniture getting ruined. That means you have more freedom with your finishes.
Both oil finishes and wax work great in bedrooms. They both create a nice natural and warm finish that complements the wood grain.
Bathroom
Bathrooms have the highest moisture levels in a home. You need a finish that can hold up to heavy humidity, water splashes, and heat.
Use marine grade polyurethane or any waterproof lacquer. They create the hardest moisture barrier.
If you don’t use a moisture proof finish, your bathroom wood will warp quickly.
Dining Room
Pieces of dining room furniture take a lot of abuse. Hot plates, spills, dishes, you name it. Dining room furniture needs a tough finish that still looks nice.
Oil-based polyurethane with a satin finish is the best option here. It gives wood a warm shine while still protecting it from daily use.
Distressed Furniture Paint Techniques
Distressed furniture paint isn’t going anywhere. More and more homeowners are jumping on the trend and loving it.
Not only does distressed furniture paint allow you to be creative. It also adds so much character to any room.
Chalk paint is preferred by most when painting wood furniture. Here’s why…
- It adheres to pretty much any surface with little to no prep work
- Dries quickly and layers nicely
- Easy to sand back for that worn, distressed look
- Works with wax top coats to seal your finish
Another trending technique is the 2-tone method. As the name suggests, you use two colors on the same piece of furniture. It creates a fun, unique pop of color that looks amazing on dressers and cabinets.
Just remember this…
Seal your paint! If you don’t properly seal your distressed paint job. It’ll chip at the slightest touch. Leaving you with an unprofessional finish.
Wrap Up…
So there you have it! Wood finishes for every room of the house.
If you need a quick refresher. Here’s what we learned:
- Kitchen / Dining Room: Oil-based polyurethane
- Living Room: Water-based polyurethane or distressed paint furniture techniques
- Bedroom: Oil finishes or wax
- Bathroom: Marine-grade polyurethane
Wood finishing isn’t difficult at all if you know which finish to use and where. Each room has different elements that can eat away at your furniture.
Use these tips. Match the finish to the room and you’ll have beautiful furniture that lasts for years to come.
