People want to express themselves creatively while saving money, and they can do this while staying fashionable. When buying things you don’t need, consider how much you could save by waiting a day or so.
1. Paint
Painting furniture is an effortless DIY way to refresh old pieces. All it requires is some light sanding, primer, and then your desired hue. Stenciling and decoupage techniques offer unique ways to express yourself while creating unique pieces tailored specifically for you and your lifestyle.
Just a bit of paint can transform outdated furniture. From turning an ordinary wooden dresser into a cocktail station to updating kids’s desks by adding decorative wood appliques, the possibilities are limitless. Plus, adding new hardware gives your piece an updated and modern aesthetic for added functionality! Voilà: your newly revamped furniture piece awaits use in your home or office.
2. Stencil
Stenciling is an effortless painting technique that utilizes stencils to add designs or patterns to a piece of furniture. You can apply this versatile method across various surfaces to create a unique look in any room. Stenciling has become an increasingly popular way of giving old furniture new life while adding character and personality.
To stencil furniture, begin by tracing the design onto stencil paper or architect’ linen (available from art supply stores). Cut out your stencil with scissors; if repeated designs require registration marks to ensure precise positioning. Apply paint over the stencil before proceeding with the application of new color layers.
3. Reupholster
Reupholstering furniture can be an innovative way to showcase your personality and add style to any room in your home, as well as save money—new pieces can be costly!
Begin by carefully unzipping the fabric from your piece of furniture. Utilize its old pattern as a guideline when cutting new covers; making precise cuts will create a clean, professional appearance. Reupholstery provides an excellent opportunity to add decorative details like piping or channeling, experiment with different colors and textures, add tufting or skirting, and ultimately elevate the piece!
4. Refinish
Upcycling furniture can be both budget-conscious and stylishly distinctive to your home, not to mention helping keep trash out of landfills and supporting greener lifestyles. Refinishing wooden furniture requires several steps, beginning with cleaning thoroughly to remove any hidden dirt or grime that might exist.
Now, sand the piece to smooth its surface and improve primer and paint adhesion. When finished, apply a clear coat of polyurethane sealant to protect both color and wood against water damage or wear and tear over time. It’s also useful in protecting it from future scuffing or water damage.
5. Repurpose
Repurposing furniture can add both character and style to a room. From upcycling old dressers to turning door panels into benches, reusing old pieces gives new life to old favorites! You can find unique and stylish furniture at thrift stores and curbside finds. Look beyond outdated colors and patterns for pieces with potential for renovation.
Transform an old TV cabinet into open shelves that make organizing cookbooks and decor much simpler. Blogger Beckie Farrant removed its inner workings before replacing its doors with pegboard for simple kitchen storage solutions.
6. Add Hardware
Reworking furniture hardware can also make an enormous difference, from drawer pulls and knobs with different shapes and finishes to knobs on drawer fronts; adding this extra personal touch can give any piece of furniture an updated look at a fraction of the cost of purchasing an entirely new set.
Upcycling furniture is both an affordable and eco-friendly home decor option. Instead of throwing away old pieces, consider upcycling them and creating something truly original that showcases your individuality. DIY projects offer easy ways to turn thrifted or family heirloom items into stunning decorative statements.
7. Refinish Wood
Refinishing wooden furniture can add an expensive look. Wood stain and sealants are widely available at hardware and paint stores; for optimal results, water-based products with low odor may be recommended to avoid fumes while working on this project.
Before beginning to refinish your wooden piece, be sure to inspect for signs of damage such as visible rings and watermarks. Also avoid veneered pieces when possible. Once your piece has been sanded to its raw wood finish, apply multiple coats of your chosen stain or sealant using a lint-free cloth or brush to remove any excess product.
8. Add Hardware
Repurposing furniture can be an excellent way to give old pieces new life while staying within your budget. Plus, you can unleash your creative side and design unique furniture pieces that reflect your personal style!
Adding hardware is an easy and affordable way to modernize any piece of furniture and can make an immediate, impactful statement about its style and purpose. Choose matching styles or mix and match for an eye-catching finish that truly stands out.
9. Stencil
Stenciling furniture is an effortless and creative way to personalize it with unique details. Vinyl stencils form an airtight seal against surfaces, eliminating paint smudges and streaks while creating a polished look. For professional-quality results, work on clean, varnished pieces of furniture while the paint is still tacky, applying your stencil quickly while it remains tacky.
Use different hues to achieve tonal variations for an elegant, one-of-a-kind finish—like this dresser that features four distinct frog stencils with forest leaves as a motif.
