If you're on a budget, unfinished furniture tables are a great option. They're often significantly cheaper than their finished counterparts.
You can expect to pay between $50 and $200 for an unfinished table, depending on the material and size.
Types of Unfinished Furniture
We have a vast selection of unfinished furniture, including solid wood pieces for every room in your home. Our bookcase wall is a customer favorite, and it's a great value.
The wood options for our unfinished furniture include alder, pine, oak, maple, and parawood, which is imported from the rubber tree. We source these woods from six main manufacturers that are both domestically manufactured and imported from Vietnam.
Some of these manufacturers also do finishing at their US manufacturing locations, making it easy to get your piece finished if you don't want to do it yourself.
We have an excellent local finisher that we recommend, but you can also finish the pieces yourself for a tremendous value.
Recommended read: Contemporary Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers
Choosing the Right Unfinished Furniture
Before you start shopping for unfinished furniture tables, it's essential to know what you want out of the piece. Do your research on the features of each table you plan to buy, considering factors like the height and number of drawers you need.
The biggest thing to look for in unfinished furniture is craftsmanship. You don't need to be an expert to judge the quality of a piece, and you'll see the raw wood grain, joinery, and any defects it may have.
Take a look at what the furniture is made of; if you want solid wood furniture, it'll be easy to tell if that's what you're getting.
Discover more: What Piece of Furniture Are You?
How to Pick the Right Piece
To pick the right piece of unfinished furniture, do your research on the features you want. Knowing what you want will help you make an informed decision.
Consider the size and dimensions of the piece, such as how tall a computer desk should be or the dimensions of a coffee table. This will ensure it fits in the space where you plan to put it.
Consider reading: Standard Dining Chair Dimensions
Look for craftsmanship in the piece, even if you're not an expert. You can tell if a piece is well-made by examining the construction and joinery.
Take a close look at the raw wood grain and any defects it may have. This will give you a good idea of the quality of the piece.
Consider the type of wood the furniture is made from, as each type has its own characteristics.
You might enjoy: How to Make Folding Chairs Look Nice
Who Buys Wood Furniture?
People on a budget can benefit from buying unfinished wood furniture, as it offers solid wood and beautifully crafted pieces at an affordable price.
Those who value personalization will find that buying unfinished furniture is the easiest route for customization.
If you're willing to put in some elbow grease, you'll end up with furniture built to last many generations.
You'll save money on repairs as you'll have no hesitation jumping in to fix any nicks or stains to the surface.
Making changes to the build is much faster and cheaper if the piece hasn't been finished.
You can make changes to the build, such as changing the height of a table or adding carvings, once you have the exact piece you want.
Additional reading: How to Build a Murphy Bed without a Kit
Finishing and Caring for Your New Furniture
Learning to finish wood is a great skill to have, and with a little practice, you'll be wondering what you ever felt nervous about. Watching your furniture transform is an exciting process.
It takes very few tools to finish wood, and the best part is that if you mess up, you can sand it down and go again. However, keep in mind that without a finish, your wood is unprotected and vulnerable to stains.
Talking to an unfinished furniture specialist can help you decide on the best finish for your piece, considering factors like the type of wood, desired durability, and the look you want to achieve. They can point you in the right direction.
Stains come in a huge variety of colors and coverage levels, making them a great option if you want to change the color of your furniture. Oils can also be used to finish furniture, each with unique properties that affect the color, grain, and protection level.
For added durability, consider a clear coat like lacquer or shellac.
Work Table Makeover Ideas
If you're looking for a budget-friendly work table, consider an unfinished one made of solid wood. It will last longer than a cheaper option.
You can customize unfinished furniture without having to build it from scratch. I found this out when I was searching for the perfect work table.
Unfinished furniture usually needs a quick light sanding to remove the protective coating first. This helps the stain adhere evenly.
Apply Wood Conditioner and wipe away any excess after a few minutes with a dry, lint-free rag to prevent splotchy wood. I learned this trick when I was working on my own unfinished furniture project.
Brush on a coat of stain, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and wipe off to achieve the desired color. I landed on Minwax Special Walnut, which looks beautiful with everything in any room.
You can repeat the stain process if you want a deeper shade. I ended up with a beautiful, rich color that I love.
Finish off your project with a couple of coats of water-based poly. I prefer water-based poly because it doesn't yellow like oil-based poly does.
On a similar theme: How to Keep Cats off Tables and Furniture
Where to Buy Unfinished Furniture
You can find unfinished furniture at a variety of retailers, both online and in-store.
IKEA is a popular destination for affordable, unfinished furniture, with many pieces available for assembly at home.
Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's also carry a selection of unfinished furniture, often with a focus on durability and versatility.
Online marketplaces like Amazon and Wayfair offer a wide range of unfinished furniture options, often with customer reviews and ratings to help with decision-making.
Local hardware stores and craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby may also carry unfinished furniture, often with a focus on creative projects and DIY enthusiasts.
Some retailers specialize in unfinished furniture, such as Rockler and Woodcraft, which cater to woodworkers and hobbyists.
If this caught your attention, see: Breuners Home Furnishings
Leave as is
Leaving your unfinished furniture table as is can be a great option, especially if you're not planning on moving or selling it anytime soon.
If you spill something on the table, like wine, it will stain the wood and be difficult to sand out, making it look dull and uneven.
Wine can stain wood much deeper than you'd think, and it's hard to get rid of the evidence of the spill.
Oil from your hands can also mark the wood, leaving unsightly fingerprints and smudges.
A protective clear coat can be a great solution to this problem, bringing out the natural beauty of the grain while making it easy to clean up spills and fingerprints.
It's worth noting that some unfinished furniture pieces are made with wood that's more prone to staining, like pine or oak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to buy unfinished furniture?
Yes, unfinished furniture is often more affordable than finished furniture, making it a budget-friendly option for those on a tight budget.
What do you put on unfinished wood furniture?
To protect unfinished wood furniture, apply a natural oil such as coconut oil, linseed oil, or tung oil in the direction of the grain. This helps to seal and preserve the wood, preventing damage and wear.
Are Ethan Allen tables real wood?
Yes, our dining tables are made from real wood, including solid woods like maple, cherry, and oak, as well as engineered wood options
Featured Images: pexels.com
