Improving piece of furniture
You need to figure out what the finish is before you do anything.  I suspect it is some kind of solid stain or paint with a polyurethane clear coat, but it could be epoxy or any other number of combinations.  The type of wood doesn't matter much in your case.

Here's one resource to help with your analysis.  Keep googling.  And check the back and bottom for manufacturer and brand information.

I do very little with my furniture besides cleaning.  They wear their dings with honor.  The first one looks bad, but get enough of them and it's a "patina", "texture", or "interest".  Although they don't have the solid finish yours does.