This raw wood furniture makeover started with a grocery store line, a lady with 27 coupons, and a little Facebook Marketplace scrolling on my phone to pass the time. That’s when I spotted this old painted armoire. The photo wasn’t great, but those details caught my eye. An hour-long drive later, I had a solid wood beauty with a broken drawer support and plenty of potential.
My original plan? Paint it, of course! But once I started stripping away the old finish, the wood underneath changed my mind. Sometimes the best thing you can do for an old piece of furniture is let its natural beauty show.
Here’s how I removed the paint, turned a damaged drawer area into an open shelf, and protected the exposed wood with a clear finish for a farmhouse look.
This post was updated in October 2026 with refreshed photos and clearer steps for this raw-wood armoire makeover.
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Step 1: Remove the Old Paint
Before I could see what was hiding underneath all that black paint, I had to strip the armoire. I used Citristrip stripping gel for this makeover. It’s a messy part of the process, but uncovering beautiful wood makes it worth the effort.
Follow the directions on your stripper’s label, including ventilation, protective equipment, and disposal instructions. Use chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection suitable for the product.
Want to see Citristrip in action? Watch the video below for a closer look at how I removed the old paint from this armoire. Fair warning—it gets messy, but that beautiful wood underneath is worth it!
Step 2: Clean Away the Stripper Residue
After removing the softened paint, I used Klean Strip Odorless Mineral Spirits and a soft cotton cloth to clean away the remaining residue. For your project, follow the stripper manufacturer’s cleanup directions and let the wood dry completely before applying a finish.
Stripping furniture is messy work, so have your cleanup supplies ready. But seeing that beautiful wood emerge from underneath all the black paint? That changed my plans for this armoire!
Step 3: Turn the Damaged Drawer Area Into an Open Shelf
With the paint removed, I could see that this armoire deserved a natural wood finish. But first, I needed to deal with the broken drawer support.
After a closer look, repairing it wasn’t as simple as I’d hoped. Instead, I removed the two middle drawers above and below the damaged support and turned that space into an open shelf.
To finish out the opening, I cut four pieces of ¼-inch birch plywood to fit, then secured them with wood glue and a finish nailer. I filled the nail holes with Plastic Wood filler in a color that matched the plywood.
The open shelf gave this old armoire a new look while making the damaged area useful again. Sometimes a change of plans is the best part of a makeover!
Step 4: Protect the Wood With a Clear Finish
I loved the natural wood too much to cover it with paint, but I still wanted to protect it. For this armoire, I used Modern Masters Masterclear Supreme, applied with a Purdy angled paintbrush.
A clear finish lets the wood grain show while adding protection. Before sealing your own piece, test the finish in a hidden spot to see how it affects the wood’s color and sheen. Follow the product’s directions for application and drying times.
The Finished Raw Wood Furniture Makeover
Once the paint was gone, this armoire had a whole different personality. The natural wood brought warmth and character, and the new open shelf made the damaged drawer area feel like an intentional part of the design.
And yes, I wanted to keep it. Shocking, I know! I enjoyed this beauty in my home for six months before it sold. By then, I’d gotten pretty attached, but giving an old piece a new life also means letting someone else enjoy it.
If you’re considering a raw wood furniture makeover, see what’s hiding beneath the old finish before deciding on the final look. You might find wood worth showing off, just like I did.
Got an old piece hiding under layers of paint? 📌Save this raw wood furniture makeover to Pinterest for a little inspiration when you’re ready to tackle it.
For more inspiration, take a look at my other raw wood makeover and my black wax makeover on a wood chest.
Until the next project… xo, Do
More Furniture Makeovers to Inspire Your Next Project
If you love seeing what a little elbow grease can do for old furniture, these makeovers are worth a look.
