How To Fix A Hole In Wood Furniture

Today I wanted to share my little hack I use to fix holes. Filling in divots and scratches is pretty straightforward since there is a bottom to it. All you really need to be sure to do is firmly press the wood filler into it then sand it down smooth. Holes are a little trickier however, if not patched correctly they can sag over time leaving an unsightly defect. I picked up a super cute pair of nightstands that had been long forgotten in a shed.

The previous owner had actually attached several tools and sharpeners to the tops leaving through and through holes from the bolts. Here's how I fixed them! What you will need:

What I do is find a dowel that is just a tiny bit smaller than the hole I need to fill. I like using this wood filler when I plan on painting a piece because it goes on smooth and almost fluffy. It also sands down very easily. It's not a good match if your wanting to stain the patch however! I push the dowel into the hole until it has reached the bottom but hasn't gone passed the threshold.

Then I snap it off as flush to the top as I can. Leaving the gap at the bottom ensures that the little bit left at the top will slide down into the hole. Picking a dowel that is close in size to the hole means that it wont simply fall out since its wedged into the hole. This creates a little shelf for the wood putty to fit around and gives it some body. Once the dowel is inside the hole (but not hanging out of either end) your ready to start putting in your wood putty. I use a simple putty edge and just start gently but firmly working it into the hole. You want to make sure you pushing into the cracks and crevices so that it doesn't sag later.

I slowly add a little bit each time to make sure I'm not missing any spots. Once I'm to the top and sure that everything is filled I add a bit more to make a little hill over the hole. I then use my putty knife to scrape away any excess filler by using firm pressure and dragging it across the top.

I go in all directions to ensure a smooth surface with no missed bulges. After the putty as hardened I sand the top and make sure everything set correctly. Then you will do the same steps on the underside of the hole. You can use this method to repair hardware holes as well when moving or switching hardware sizes! I love the way these nightstands turned out and you would never know that the tops had been in such rough shape!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope this helps you in your creative business!!! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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XOXO

Amanda