Refinishing 1950s bungalow floors: grit sequence, corners, and room transitions

[Ava_J]

I'm a relatively new homeowner tackling my first major DIY project: refinishing the original hardwood floors in my 1950s bungalow. I've rented a drum sander and watched countless tutorials, but I'm nervous about the sequence of sanding grits and applying the finish without creating streaks or bubbles. For experienced DIYers who have refinished floors, what were the most critical lessons you learned the hard way? How did you handle transitions between rooms and dealing with old stain in the corners, and what type of polyurethane did you choose for durability versus ease of application? I'm also unsure about the timeline for moving furniture back in and how to properly ventilate the space.