Wood fillers are made in two forms - paste and liquid. The former is used principally for open-grained woods such as chestnut, oak and ash, and the latter for soft woods such as whitewood, pine or cypress. The filler may be had in a variety of colors resembling the different woods, and also without any coloring matter, in which case it is called "natural" or "transparent" filler. The filler should be about the consistency of flowing varnish and be applied with a brush, thoroughly rubbing it into the pores of the wood. After five or ten minutes, when the gloss will have deadened, wipe off the surplus with a soft rag and then allow the piece to stand overnight. If the filler is found to be quick-drying, then only a small section of the surface should be covered at a time so that the surplus may be wiped off readily. The filler is only intended to fill the pores of the wood and should be wiped off against the grain. With open-grained woods, such as oak and chestnut, the most beautiful effects may be obtained by using a light filler, which does not affect the general color, but merely brings out the fine texture and flake of the wood.

Quite often the staining and filling can be done more advantageously while the piece of furniture is in sections. For example, a table before the final assembling may consist of the top, the two complete ends, and the foot-board - four sections, all of which can be stained and filled before putting together, thus leaving only the finishing to be done after the table is finally set up. In chairs and other articles requiring upholstering most, if not all, of the finishing may be done before the leather or other material is attached.