I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the handiest gal when it comes to household repairs. Cracks, bumps and nicks are my biggest fear, and I never attempt to fix anything without doing some heavy duty research. However, after spotting a nick in my beloved antique armoire a few weeks ago, I knew it was time to buck up and face the fear.

Turns out that repairing a nick in wood furniture is easier than I'd ever imagined! In fact, it consists of just a few simple steps:

1. Clean the surface area thoroughly with a non-toxic cleaner, such as vinegar water or a baking soda and water solution.

2. Fill the nick with wood filler putty using a putty knife and scrape the excess away with a clean, sharp edge (a credit card or gift card works great).

3. Sand the area carefully in the direction of the wood's grain, using medium (100-140 grit) sandpaper; if you want to achieve a smoother surface, sand again lightly with fine (150-180 grit) sandpaper. Then clean the surface again with non-toxic cleaner.

4. Finally, use coat of paint/stain that matches the existing woodwork. Not sure how to get an accurate color match? Take an image of the wood and visit your local hardware store.

Here's to shiny, healthy and nick-free wood!