The Easy Way To Remove Veneer From Furniture

Over the years, we have worked on so many projects and have learned so much that when I find a trick that will make your projects easier, I can’t wait to share it. I found out that there is an easy way to remove veneer from furniture.
This project started with an end table I picked up at an estate this summer. At first glance, it looks like a regular end table in need of some TLC.


Look again
The top is actually a tray! Well, that it what I am calling it anyway.
The veneer on the tabletop itself was peeling up so it was the perfect model to show you the easy way to remove veneer from furniture.
In the past, I would have scraped and scraped until my knuckles were bleeding, my brows were sweating and my face was full of tears. Okay, maybe is wasn’t that dramatic, but it was a pain in the you-know-what to try and get veneer off.
Then, I learned a new way. The easy way to remove veneer from furniture is to lay a wet towel on it! Yep!!! A wet towel works wonders for getting the veneer off easily. Look at this table now!
I painted the table {afilnk} "Park Bench" from Fusion Mineral Paint . If you are looking for a good, vintage/country green paint, this is the one. I rubbed antiquing wax over the green to deepen it a bit and this table was brand new!
I decoupaged vintage newspaper wrapping paper to the top of the table and made over the tray part of the table.
The tray is my favorite part! You can use it for so many things.


To see this full tutorial on how I made the tray functional again, how I used the wet towel and the other steps I took make this end table what it is now! http://mycreativedays.porch.com/easy-way-to-remove-veneer-from-furniture/
Lindsay Eidahl
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  3 questions
  • Cheri Cheri on Nov 20, 2016
    What did the top look like after the veneer was removed? Do you have a picture?
  • Gig69451122 Gig69451122 on Dec 10, 2023

    I have an antique solid cherry, Duncan Phyfe table. Why they put veneer just on the top idk? 🤷‍♀️ The veneer started peeling a few years back. What I'm unsure of? If I remove the veneer. Lightly sand the top, & re-stain it. Will it have an elegant appearance again? I know I'd need to poly as well. Any thoughts 🤔


  • Judith Judith on Jan 08, 2024

    I have a matching pair of bedside stands. I know nothing about repairing furniture. One nightstand has a bubbled looking place from a wet glass. I'm assuming it's veneer. Do you think your method would work on this?

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