Tips for Updating Furniture
You don’t have to be an interior designer, a painter, or even artistically inclined to transform an old or outdated piece of furniture into something contemporary and appealing. Whether you want to refinish or repaint an old wood chest, update the hardware on drawers and cabinets, or just add simple touches to modernize your furniture, it can be fun to see what a few inexpensive tweaks can do.
The basics of a furniture makeover
Decide which piece of furniture you want to update
Has a certain design or style of furniture inspired you? If so, compare it to the piece you want to update and decide if it’s reasonable to obtain the look you want. Also, determine if you think its color, size, and shape will fit nicely into the intended space or if you want to move it into a different area of your home.
Take it one project at a time
If you’ve identified more than one piece of furniture that you want to make over, only do one piece at a time rather than updating them simultaneously. Once you’ve seen the finished product, you may change your mind on how you want to update other pieces.
Research tutorials
Do the appropriate research on how to refinish, paint, or reupholster the piece before you get started. If this is your first project, make sure you understand the processes to get the best results. If this is not your first rodeo, there are always new and updated techniques to learn and incorporate into your design.
10 furniture-makeover design tips
1. Paint or stencil
Whether you’re stenciling or applying a rich coat of paint, the transformation can be surprising. For example, you can paint your furniture piece to match the walls. If you want to strip, sand, and restain, you can convert a dark wood to a lighter tone, trade out a shiny finish for matte, or swap chrome for a darker metal. If you prefer to stencil rather than go through the painting process, you can still create a decorative, artistic look for your piece.
2. Hardware
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to update your furniture is by swapping outdated hardware on dressers, doors, or cabinets for a fresh, modern look. There are a plethora of designs to choose from at retailers like Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, and IKEA, as well as home-supply stores.
3. Washi tape
Washi tape is a great product to use for updating furniture. Much like duct tape, it will stick to just about any surface, you can cut it to size, and you can remove it if you make a mistake while applying it. Washi tape has become increasingly popular and is available in hundreds of designs and colors. Using it to add unique patterns or funky details to your furniture can be much simpler than painting or staining.
4. Wallpaper
Wallpaper isn’t just for walls. It can add bursts of color, design, and patterns to a piece of furniture, giving it a whole new look. You can use peel-and-stick wallpaper to line drawers, bookshelves, or the tops of furniture. Most can also be removed without damaging the paint or finish underneath. Wallpaper can be a temporary fix if you have plans to eventually refinish or replace the piece.
5. Slipcovers
If you have a favorite chair or sofa that’s structurally sound but has fabric with stains, small holes, or wear and tear, it can easily be fixed by covering it with a slipcover. Slipcovers are available in many colors and sizes, and utilizing one will give your room an instant face-lift. And to spice things up, consider investing in a few colorful or decorative pillows.
6. Repurpose
If you have a piece of furniture that is still in good condition but is outdated and no longer fits in its current space, consider moving it to a different location or repurposing it by changing how you use it. For example, convert an old dresser into a bookshelf by removing the drawers and any accompanying drawer rails and adding thin but sturdy wood panels for shelves if need be. You can even use it as a window seat by removing the legs and covering and upholstering the top with a cushion in a fun color or pattern.
7. Bar cart or TV stand
Don’t be quick to throw out your old bar cart or television stand. With a little ingenuity and inspiration, you can turn an old item into a great accent piece. One such way is to tile all or one of the shelves with mosaic tiles, paint it a vibrant color, or stain it with a lighter, more neutral wood finish.
8. Tables and chairs
If your kitchen or dining room table and chairs have seen better days, you may not need to spend money on new ones. There are techniques you can use to fix white ring stains, chipped wood, small cracks, or dents, such as applying wood epoxy or filler for chips. If your goal is to modernize the table’s look, consider swapping out the table legs to create a completely different appearance. You can even paint them with a contrasting color from the tabletop.
9. Headboard and footboard
Are you tired of your old headboard and footboard? An update may not be as difficult as you think. Consider spray-painting them with a contemporary color to brighten your bedroom. And don’t be afraid to experiment with color—whether you add it to the entire headboard and footboard or incorporate just a pop of color to liven things up. You can also upholster your headboard; there are a variety of tutorials on sites like Pinterest to help with this.
10. Outdoor furniture
Don’t retire your outdoor patio furniture just yet. You can update your scuffed or rusted table and chairs by painting them with a vibrant gloss lacquer color. If you have a wooden bench that needs some TLC, you can bring it back to life by spray-painting or applying a fresh coat of colored sealant. Then finish off your new outdoor look by adding some decorative chair cushions and pillows to the mix.
When it comes to revitalizing or reusing furniture, your options for transforming them are only limited by your imagination. Check out the plethora of ideas and how-to videos at your fingertips online for even more inspiration, and let your creativity shine.