Looking for ways to transform your old furniture and give it a new life? Then, this article is for you.
Consider furniture as the outfit of your house. It gets stained, overused, out of touch, and needs to be replaced. This is crucial for your home aesthetics. A change of décor in general and furniture, in particular, can introduce a freshness to your home. But, it is not always easy to do that. Budget constraints are often the biggest factor. So, what can you do now?
Well, with a little motivation and creativity, you can always remodel your old furniture into something new. Fast furniture, just like any other fast fashion is the norm of today. People want to stay trendy. But, instead of tossing your existing furniture out and filling the already bubbling landfills, why not remodel it? You will be amazed that sometimes even a fresh coat of paint can work wonders.
So, here are a few ideas for you to transform your old furniture yourself. You can easily use your weekend to give your home a new look without breaking the wallet.
Paint the Upholstery
This is the easiest option out there. By painting your upholstery, you can give your furniture a fresh look. Also, this is the most cost-effective way of all. It requires very few materials to update your décor. There are various options available for you to choose from. Among them, fabric paint is the easiest to apply. Your goal should be a smooth finish without wrinkles.
Other than fabric paint, you can use all-purpose paint. But, I won’t recommend it as it doesn’t adhere well to fabrics. For a distressed, vintage look, go for chalk paint. It is easier to prepare and apply, hence rather popular for DIY projects.
Just make sure that the fabric is cleaned and primed before applying the paint. A smooth, even coverage is necessary, or the paint may start peeling off after some time. Overall, painting your upholstery is a fun way to give your old furniture a new life without doing much. Also, the color leverage to match your overall vibe is phenomenal in this case.
Modify for a New Purpose
Modifying your old furniture and transforming it into something entirely new is perhaps the most ambitious mode on our list. Here you practically break down your old furniture into its parts and use your creativity to develop unique and functional pieces from it.
Now let me give you an example. Suppose you have an old wooden door in good shape. You can attach some legs to it, work on its finish, and there you have a new coffee table. For a more refined look, add a glass top. Some storage drawers can also be put underneath.
Or, you can mount this door behind your bed to make a headboard. You can give it a rustic look, refine it, or do something to match the vibe of your bedroom like matching it with the room’s door. Now add decorative elements like stenciled designs to make it more appealing.
One interesting step will be to change your door into a statement piece. Think of something of an artistic nature. Add hooks to it for hanging your coats or shelves for your books. Then hang it vertically at your desired place. And there you have it, a head-turner piece of décor.
If you have a garden or a patio, you can use this door to make your very own outdoor bench. Attach some sturdy legs and let it have a rough and tough look. After giving it shape, apply a weatherproof sealant to protect the wood.
Last but not least, you can use this door as a privacy screen or a divider. It can be cut and hinges can be attached to it. A perfect artistic piece for your studio apartment or living area.
The key is to think creatively and use the full potential of whatever you have to create something else. Be a little bold and experiment.
Add-Ons and Enhancements
Sometimes just adding components to any piece of old furniture can give it a new life. Whether you are looking for some extra space, improving organization, or just want the piece to look different, you can find several options for add-ons. Let me make it simple.
Suppose you have a desk and you want to get rid of it as it has no more space to place your new books. Instead of discarding it, just install some additional bookshelves to it. Get a standalone bookshelf and attach it to this desk. It will have a good vibe to it. Or, you can customize bookshelves and attach them to the top of the desk. Just like those old desks with shelves and drawers. In this way, you will get enough space to display all your books. Or, you can simply attach a hutch to your desk.
Try giving a new backing to your existing furniture for a refreshed look. By just changing the headboard of your bed, you can transform it completely. The same goes for kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. Instead of getting new ones, just incorporate drawer organizers into them. Adding dividers and trays will certainly help you separate and categorize your items to make them more accessible.
Reupholstering to Transform your Old Furniture
Reupholstering is often the most obvious choice in furniture remodeling. You can change the upholstery of any furniture and transform it completely. A new life can breathed into the dining chairs to match your new décor. Your benches, armchairs, and sofas are good pieces to invest your time for a complete makeover.
Start by checking the strength of the frame. If it’s not solid, there is no point in wasting the effort. If it is, your first step will be to get the measurements. Get a relaxed measurement for any seam allowances.
Now, select your fabric. You will find a wide range of fabrics in all colors, prints, and textures. Make note of factors like ease of cleaning, stain resistance, and fading et cetera. Once you have selected, remove the existing upholstery and make any necessary repairs and reinforcements. Don’t forget the extra padding and cushioning. Add some decorative touches and your furniture is as good as new.
If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, get professional help. To be honest, it is better to get professional help if you don’t have any sewing or upholstery skills.
Fresh Coat of Paint
It sounds simple but it is equally wonderful. Outdated pieces can be rejuvenated cost-effectively just by painting them over. There are so many varieties of paints available with equally numerous colors. You just have to make a careful selection of colors that sit well with the aura of your house. Some neutral colors like grey, beige, or white never go wrong but you can choose bold colors to make a statement.
The process starts with cleaning, sanding, and priming the piece of furniture. If you are a beginner, go for chalk paints because they are easier to handle and dry quickly. Use a roller for even application of paints. For smaller details and edges, use a brush. Apply multiple coats and apply new only when the previous coat has completely dried. Sand lightly between coats to remove any imperfections.
By applying creativity in color choices and careful painting, you are sure to transform your old furniture pieces into new and vibrant ones for a more refreshing outlook of your home.
These are some steps you can take to transform your old furniture. Much depends on your creativity. Your judgment in selecting the right treatment for the right piece will make all the difference. You may select any one treatment for your furniture or multiple. Approach these styles in a fun way and you will surely enjoy the process along with making your home more aesthetically appealing.
