Get It Done, Today

There’s your normal to-do list (pay the bills, walk the dog), and then there’s that other list: the ever-growing one full of lingerers that just. Seem. Insurmountable. Enough already! Cross off those never-done to-dos— in most cases, in one day or less.

Sand and refinish a piece of furniture

Looking to give that credenza a face-lift or update an old set of chairs? Follow these refinishing tips from Sherry Petersik, author and DIY blogger at younghouselove.com. You’ll need a drop cloth, risers, 80- and 150-grit sandpaper, foam rollers, primer, paint, and a two-inch angled brush.

SET UP YOUR STATION. Spread out a drop cloth in a covered, well-ventilated space. Place the furniture on top. If you’re painting legs, elevate the piece with plastic risers (like HDX Painter’s Tripods, $5 for 10; homedepot.com), which will let you access the legs from all angles. Remove doors and drawers and set them atop risers as well.

PREP THE MATERIAL. Roughing up the previous finish with sandpaper is key. “Paint is only as strong as the connection to whatever is beneath it,” says Petersik. You don’t need to remove all the original paint, just enough to give the new paint something to grip to. Use 80-grit sandpaper to start, followed by 150-grit. Wipe with a clean cloth to eliminate dust. Remove or tape off hardware. (If your piece is made of raw, unsealed wood, no need to sand first.)

PRIME YOUR PIECE. Using a small foam roller, coat with a stain-blocking primer (like Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer, $15 per quart; homedepot.com). Prime both sides of doors, but only the front of drawers. Let the primer dry for a few hours.

NOW PAINT. With a fresh foam roller, add two coats of paint. Roll slowly to avoid bubbles. For recesses or detailing, paint with a two-inch angled brush and follow with the foam roller to smooth. “Let the paint dry for a week so it has time to cure,” says Petersik. If you style the piece too soon, the paint could peel off.