I've been thinking a lot about reclaiming wood from old furniture lately, especially since lumber prices are so high. I found this really old wardrobe made of what looks like hardwood for just 25 euros, and it got me wondering: could I use the side panels to create a reclaimed wood dining table? These panels seem to be the perfect size and already flat, so it feels like a great idea to upcycle them. But am I missing something in this process? Is it common to do this sort of thing?
4 Answers
Absolutely go for it! I've been repurposing wood from old pieces for ages and it's amazing what you can find if you're willing to look. Old furniture often has great quality wood that beats modern lumber any day.
Totally a thing! Many DIY folks, including some popular YouTubers, often use reclaimed wood from old furniture. Just keep in mind the woodworking skills you'll need to clean it up and make it usable.
Make sure to check the construction of the furniture. You might find that older pieces are made from solid wood, which is great, but things like potential warping and how to glue them together are also important to consider. But if you find solid wood, it’s worth it!
Just a heads up, while reclaiming wood can be awesome, a lot of old furniture uses veneer over cheaper wood or has MDF cores, especially from the 70s and 80s. You might need to do some digging to find solid wood.