Furniture survives in a near combat environment in the home. From the fair wear and tear of normal living and usage, wood made furniture is nicked, scratched, and sometimes broken. At some point it needs replacement or repair. Replacement can be very expensive if the piece of furniture is made from hard wood such as maple, mahogany, or some other exotic wood. If the particular piece of furniture is a family heirloom you do not want to throw it out. You can do a furniture restoration as a DIY project. 

Generally wood furniture repair of nicks and scratches is quite easy without significantly altering its appearance. Furniture nicks and gouges are really only displaced wood, meaning wood material has not been removed from the surface. It just has a difference color from the undamaged wood around it. However, severe gouges and scratches are an example of removed wood material from the surface.

 In either case nicks, gouges, and scratches can be repaired by simply re-coloring (apply a new finish) to the damaged area. The damaged will still be present but it will blend in to the finished surface and have a more rustic appearance. Another method is to use a wood filler to fill sever nicks, gouges, and scratches.

You can temporarily repair scratches and watermarks by simply wiping mayonnaise over the damaged area. Technically the oil in the mayonnaise will lift the watermark and restore it to the former color. Lemon oil may be used also but these methods are not as effective long time repairs. For a permanent repair the damaged area must be re-colored (painted or stained).

If the damaged area is severe it should be filled with wood filler before refinishing. Isolate the damaged area with masking tape and fill the damaged area with a natural wood filler. After drying, lightly sand the filler and refinish with paint or stain and apply a thin coat of wipe on varnish. When the varnish has dried sand the area with 0000 steel wool and wax with a furniture paste wax.

If the damage area is less severe, clean the damage by lightly sanding and re-stain the damaged area being careful to match the color. I recommend a water based stain. It comes as a powder that is mixed with warm water or alcohol. One of the best features of using a water base stain is that that it can be mixed to match the desired color by adding additional powder to the mix. It is also a lot less expensive than oil based stain.  Let the stain dry and add additional stain as necessary to match the color. When the stain is thoroughly dry, apply a coat of light varnish, let dry and sand using 0000 steel wool and wax with a furniture paste wax.

Never discard damaged wood furniture as it is very expensive to replace. Repairing it does not require a fully furnished woodshop either. These suggested repair techniques can be performed by most anyone at very little cost.  The picture displayed has a repaired nick performed by this suggestion that is nearly impossible to detect.    

 SEE:  Removing Water Stains From Hardwood Floors