JAN 05 - Tips & Resources
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO START FLIPPING FURNITURE
We share a few things to consider before diving into your first furniture flipping project. Hint - you need more than just tools.
Let’s be real, those TikTok and Instagram shorts are 10,000x sped up. Furniture flipping can be a very time-consuming hobby, especially when things don’t go as planned. My first flip was a small dresser which took about 30hrs. And that doesn’t even include the time I spent researching, watching tutorials, and purchasing tools.
Free Time
My first furniture transformation - A small old dresser that I got for free on Kijiji!
It’s true that you don’t need a lot of fancy tools to begin flipping furniture. Heck, you don’t even need an orbital sander. BUT life is much easier when you have the proper tools. If you’re flipping for the first time, look into cheaper beginner friendly brands like Black & Decker or Ryobi. I started off with this Black and Decker Orbital Sander, and it’s been a workhorse through 25+ projects and is still running strong.
Some Tools
Being grid-locked is a flipper’s worst nightmare. If you can’t move around freely without bumping into something, you run a higher risk of knocking something over or worse yet injuring yourself. Don’t ask me how I know. Whenever possible, try working on projects outside. There’s better lighting and you dust control isn’t an issue.
Space
It can be hard to see the bigger picture when you’re stuck staring at an old dingy dresser. Take a break and get inspiration from Instagram, Pinterest, or even Facebook! Check out our Instagram for previous cool projects.
A Little Imagination
We added wavy texture to this dresser to create a sleek, modern look
At some point, things may (and probably will) go haywire. When this happens, take a step back, do a little bit of research, and create a new plan of attack. One time I sanded through the veneer on a nightstand and ending up painting the entire thing. And honestly, I think it looks better than the original idea.
Resilience
Initially I was going for a farmhouse knotty pine look on these nightstands, but sanded through the veneer and painted everything off-white
Furniture flipping isn’t for everyone, and that’s totally okay. Trust me, I’ve tried to learn German on Duo Lingo multiple times now. There’s no shame in giving up. I’ve donated several pieces when I realized that I didn’t have the right tools or skills to finish the job.
If you’re finding that flipping is becoming more of a chore than a hobby, it’s probably a good time to stop and reconsider.
It’s Not for Everyone
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