Chestbod drawers - can it be stained?

[TCruise]

Hi All

We've got this chest of drawers that we've had for ages. I've never been a fan of it's colour.

I'm not sure what type of wood it is. It's also not solid wood, as you can see from the photos, which made me wonder if it might end up like a dogs breakfast if attempted to stain.

I'd like it to be stained a darker richer colour.

Grateful for thoughts and ideas.

[Simpo Two]

It looks like birch and appears lacquered; if so stain won't soak into the wood.

You could either paint it, or sand it down to bare wood and then stain it - but that would be a big job.

[Silvanus]

Simpo Two said:

It looks like birch and appears lacquered; if so stain won't soak into the wood.

You could either paint it, or sand it down to bare wood and then stain it - but that would be a big job.

I'd echo this, could be a lot of work

[TCruise]

Yep. It would definitely need to be completely stripped first.

Just wondering if it was stained whether the finish wood be nice enough.

[Silvanus]

TCruise said:

Yep. It would definitely need to be completely stripped first.

Just wondering if it was stained whether the finish wood be nice enough.

You can stain birch, but the beauty of birch is in its natural colour. I'd either paint it or sell it.

[Simpo Two]

Silvanus said:

...or sell it.

The birch IKEA look is popular so it shouldn't be too hard to sell.

Bigger handles, maybe metal, might be a quick way to give it a bit more interest.

[Silvanus]

Simpo Two said:

Silvanus said:

...or sell it.

The birch IKEA look is popular so it shouldn't be too hard to sell.

Bigger handles, maybe metal, might be a quick way to give it a bit more interest.

Oversized and/odd handles and maybe paint, wrap or decoupage just some of the draws. If you then still don't like it sell it, people live that sort of stuff on Etsy or eBay

[CampoTheMexicana]

You should look at the Frenchic paint range, can totally transform furniture.