European Furniture Refinishing Brands I Use and Recommend

If you’ve ever felt envious watching American refinishers reach for products like Mohawk, Minwax, or Bondo—only to realise they’re not available here in Europe—you’re not alone. I felt that, too. But the more time I’ve spent sourcing and testing locally available options, the more I’ve realised something important: European furniture refinishing brands are not only out there—and they’re good. You just need to know where to look.

This guide highlights the European furniture refinishing brands I regularly use in my furniture refinishing projects, plus a few that are high on my “must test soon” list. They’re accessible, beginner-friendly, and often far more eco-conscious than expected. If you’re building up your refinishing supply shelf in Europe, this is for you.

General Furniture Refinishing Products

These are the everyday workhorses I reach for across all kinds of projects, such as fillers, bleaches, and colour tools that make up the core of my refinishing toolkit.

Borma Wachs (Italy)

It’s one of the most well-rounded brands I’ve used. Borma Wachs offers everything from two-part wood fillers and bleaches to oils, waxes, and toners. Their Holzmasse 2K filler is what I used to rebuild a vintage teak handle without damaging the surrounding veneer. It sets fast, sands beautifully, and holds its shape well—even on vertical surfaces.

I also love their two-part wood bleach, which I’ve used on oak. It lightens wood evenly and quickly.

And for fine-tuning colour? Their Profix Touch-Up markers are convenient, and their dyes can be mixed into water, oil, or alcohol.

I have also used their standard wood fillers and own every single colour! While some may collect purses, I collect wood fillers.

Check out all refinishing products available via Borma Wachs.

Clou (Germany) — on my must-try list

I first came across Clou products in a restoration workshop. Their range includes stains, shellacs, polishes, and more. Their powder dyes can be mixed with water come highly recommended by a vintage restorer I know.   

This brand is definitely high on my try sooner than later list! I could not located a website, as Clou was recently bought by DAW Germany and the Clou products continue to be sold in European DIY stores. 

Oils, Waxes & Topcoats

Whether you’re sealing raw wood, enhancing grain, or protecting painted finishes, these oils, waxes, and topcoats are my go-to choices for beauty and durability.

If you’re curious about the products I actually reach for when refinishing furniture, you can see the full list here: what I use in my workshop when refinishing furniture.

Osmo (Germany)

Osmo is a staple in my finishing kit. I regularly use their Polyx Oil (their hardwax oil), which enhances the wood grain while offering long-lasting protection. It’s beginner-friendly, and easy to repair down the line.

I’ve also heard great things about their coloured wood fillers from another refinisher. And their oil stains are still on my list to try.

Check out all their refinishing products on the Osmo’s website.

Rubio Monocoat (Belgium)

I used Rubio on our hardwood floors and was blown away by the ease of use and the final result. It bonds with the wood in just one coat and leaves a rich, natural finish. I haven’t tested it on furniture yet, but it’s high on my list.

I also swear by their Tannin Remover, especially for removing stubborn black spots caused by metal or moisture reactions. Unlike straight oxalic acid, it doesn’t discolour the surrounding wood tones—just lifts the stains cleanly. I explain more in this guide to removing black spots from wood.

Visit Rubio Monocoat’s website for all their refinishing and wood products. 

Oli-Natura (Germany)

If you’re looking for a fast-curing, smooth-feeling alternative to Osmo, Oli-Natura Hardwax Oil is worth trying. It has a lovely consistency, cures faster than many oils, and leaves a soft, natural finish without much effort.

Visit Oli-Natura website for more details on their oil products.  

Hermadix Meubellak (Netherlands)

This is my go-to water-based poly. It’s foolproof to apply, comes in beautiful sheens, and is readily available at Dutch hardware stores. It dries quickly and plays well with both bare wood and painted surfaces. Hermadix used to make beautiful oil stains, too, which I still mourn the loss of.

Visit Hermadix website to review all their products. 

Polyvine (UK)

Another one of my top choices for sealing raw wood and painted furniture. Their wax-like varnish is perfect over chalk or mineral paint. Incredibly foolproof to apply, it dries clear, resists yellowing, and is widely available across Europe.

Polyvine is more than just varnishes; it has a range of decorative effects products, and its Metal Leaf Size is a must-have for anyone attempting Metal Leaf (this product is in my tool kit).

Polyvine has a range of wood stains, which is on my future list to try.

Get creative with Polyvine Products.

Furniture Paints

These are the paint brands I’ve used to add colour, character, or a clean, modern finish to furniture—some I’ve used for years, others I’m just starting to explore. I’ll be honest; this is where I struggle to find European brands as I don’t typically use chalk paints, preferring the more modern look of acrylic.

Fusion Mineral Paint (Canada, EU distributors)

Though Canadian in origin, Fusion is widely distributed in Europe now. It’s a durable, self-levelling mineral paint with a built-in topcoat. I use it for clean, modern finishes and pieces requiring intense colour and minimal prep.

Check out all the Fusion Mineral Paint Products available in the EU.

Boost Paint (Netherlands)

Boost paint took me some time to get used to—its texture differs from other furniture paints I’ve tried.

This paint sticks to almost anything and doesn’t require a top coat, making it a good option for quick flips.

Check out all the colours of Boost Paint. 

Dixie Belle Paint (US origin, EU distributors)

I used Dixie Belle early in my refinishing journey, and it worked exactly as expected for chalk-style paint. Reliable coverage, good colours, and a solid introduction to painted furniture.

Find a European Retailer of Dixie Belle Paint near you.

Annie Sloan (UK) — on my must-try list

A chalk paint legend. I haven’t tried it myself yet (somehow!), but it’s one of Europe’s most popular paint lines for good reason.

Now that I see there is a Satin Line of paint, not requiring a top coat, I hope to put it to the test soon.

Check out all products available at Annie Sloan. 

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

These are the extras I’ve come to rely on—stains, shellac, and unique tools that don’t always fit into the usual categories but make a big difference in the workshop.

Cépé Water-Based Wood Stains (Netherlands)

Cépé’s water based stains have become one of my favourite low-VOC stain options. They come in a range of colours, and I love the control and the soft, natural look they give.

Cépé also has varnish and waxes available to finish your furniture pieces.  Review all Cépé refinishing products on their website. 

Shellac Flakes from De Kat Windmill (Netherlands)

I mix my shellac using flakes from De Kat Windmolen, a working windmill in the Netherlands. Their flakes are high quality and ship across Europe. It’s my go-to for sealing in tannins, prepping blotchy woods, or making wood grain glow.

I only purchase dewaxed shellac, so I can add a water-based polyurethane finish over the shellac.

Looking Ahead

I’ve just begun my deeper search into European refinishing products, and I know this list will continue to grow and evolve as I test more brands. Right now, I still find it challenging to match the colour range and final finish of Fusion Mineral Paint with a European-made alternative—so please don’t shoot the messenger if a few non-European brands made it in! These are all available through EU distributors, and I use what’s accessible.

I’ve also noticed that some popular American brands are now being distributed in the UK but remain unavailable across much of mainland Europe, which is why a few options you might expect aren’t included (yet!).

Final thoughts

Some of the products I’ve mentioned—like water-based polys, oils, and bleaches—come with the added benefit of meeting strict EU environmental regulations. If you’ve ever wondered why certain products like gel stains are hard to find here, it’s not just bad luck. There’s a reason behind it, and I explain more in this article why gel stains are banned in Europe.

These are the products I’ve personally tested or plan on testing soon. But I know there’s more to discover. Drop your favourite European refinishing brand or product in the comments—your recommendation might be the next one I try!