How to revive your old furniture

We all know how much I love an upcycling project. I’ve brought to life an old and dented pine cupboard and made over my childhood bedside tables. Both of these projects were relatively easy and didn’t take that much time, but the outcome was astounding and they looked like completely new pieces of furniture (for a fraction of the cost). Plus, upcycling is good for the environment – better to turn an existing piece into something you love than buy new.

 

Giving old furniture a new lease of life isn’t just about being eco-friendly; it’s also a creative way to add personality to your home, with unique items that can’t be bought anywhere. You’ll have the freedom to decide on a design and colour theme too, allowing you to create something that you’d never be able to find in a shop.

With a little imagination, effort, and the right tools, you can transform outdated or worn-out pieces.

I like to think I have some know-how when it comes to DIY and revamping your furniture. That’s why I’ve created this handy guide to help you do the same. Discover how to assess your existing furniture and revive it!

 

Step 1: Assess your existing furniture

Before diving right into a makeover, you should first assess the furniture’s condition and potential. I’d advise that you check for wobbly legs, cracks, or missing parts and fix these issues before proceeding. In doing this, you’ll know what supplies you might need (wood glue or filler, as well as primer and paint), and also what you’ve got in store when it comes to the restoration.

You should also consider the design at this point too. What colour paint do you need? Will you add new hardware (such as new handles to drawers)? What about extra detailing like moulding? If you’re restoring some chairs, could they do with new upholstery too? Buy all the supplies you need before you start, otherwise the project could become a bit bitty.

Generally, shops like B&Q or Wickes will do everything you need. You might want to buy your paint online if these don’t stock it. If you’re using Frenchic paint, you can use their website to find a stockist local to you. Decorating Centre Online is another great site that offers all the supplies you’d need for a project, from paint brushes to painter’s tape.

 

Step 2: Gather your supplies

Right, you’ve decided on your design, the colour of your paint and what supplies you might need. Now it’s time to buy it all. You may need things like:

• Sandpaper or an electric sander (I’d highly recommend electric as it saves so much time)
• Paint, primer, and brushes
• Wood filler for repairing cracks
• Screws, nails, or glue for structural repairs
• Fabric, foam, and a staple gun for upholstery projects
• New hardware like knobs, handles, or casters
• Protective gear such as gloves, mask, and goggles.

Of course, there are other things that you might need for your specific project, but the above should give you a basic idea.

 

Step 3: Clean and prep the furniture

Something I see time and again with furniture upcycling is impatience. Do not rush the prep stage. I know there are paints out there claiming that you don’t need to pre-sand the furniture or use a primer, but in my experience, the paint will chip and your furniture won’t look as nice for as long a period of time.

I’d suggest that you always:

• Clean the item of furniture thoroughly. I’d recommend sugar soap for this, as it’s a degreaser and will help to lift dirt off. Use a damp cloth and sugar soap, and then go over with a damp cloth with just water to remove the sugar soap. Then dry thoroughly with a clean cloth. It seems overkill, but it’s worth it.
• Remove any existing finishes. If the furniture has peeling paint or any obvious damage, take the time to remove it with a sander or chemical stripper.
• Fix any imperfections. Don’t ignore cracks or holes, as once you paint the wood, they’ll only show up more. Use wood filler to fill them, and once it’s dry, sand it back so it’s level with the wood, and you’ll never know the crack was there once the wood is painted.

 

Step 4: Choose your makeover method

There is more than one way you can improve the look of your furniture. Depending on the look you want to achieve, you don’t just have to use paint. There is also stains, seals, fabric, new hardware, etc. You can find more info on each of these things below.

Paint

A fresh coat of paint can instantly modernise furniture. As I’ve already stated, use a primer to ensure the paint adheres well and lasts longer. You can also experiment with chalk paint for a matte, vintage look or high-gloss paint for a modern touch. For a unique flair, add stenciled designs or patterns.

Stain and seal

This is something I think I’m seeing more of, and I love it. Instead of covering the beautiful natural grain of the wood with paint, you can celebrate it and stain the wood instead.

To stain a piece of furniture, first remove any old or existing finishes with an electric sander. Then, apply a wood stain of your choosing to enhance the grain and colour. There are tons of stains available, some more orange, some quite dark and some almost clear so be sure to get some tester pots first to see which you prefer. As an optional extra, you can seal the furniture with a clear coat for durability and protection. This might be particularly important for a dining table or dressing table, where the surface of the wood could easily become damaged through use.

Reupholstery

Adding new fabric to an old piece of furniture can give it the revival it needs. I’ve previously reupholstered my dining chairs and it made such a difference to their look.

 

First, I’d suggest that you remove the oldl fabric (and any padding if necessary). Replace the padding with some brand new foam that’s been cut down to size, and then secure your chosen fabric using a staple gun.

Hardware

Updating hardware like knobs, pulls, or hinges can give furniture a fresh, modern vibe. Choose hardware that matches the style you’re going for, be it rustic, industrial, or contemporary.

 

If all these steps and decisions are making you feel a little overwhelmed (understandable), you can always seek professional help. The team of expert painter and decorator Islington is known for providing its customers with the best services at the most reasonable prices. With their years of experience, they make sure each one of their customers is 100% satisfied. You can easily get in touch with them to get a free estimate for your project.

 

Step 5: Add personal touches

The best part about reviving furniture yourself is that you can make it truly yours. You can add a layer of decorative paper or fabric to drawer fronts or tabletops, sealing it with Mod Podge. You can also lightly sand edges after painting to achieve a shabby chic look. If you want an eclectic feel, you could combine materials like wood and metal together.

Don’t be afraid to experiment – most mistakes can be undone and redone!

 

Step 6: Protect your work

Congratulations, your furniture makeover is complete! Or is it? You might think you’ll skip this step. The furniture looks great and you’re not worried it’ll start to show signs of wear. But actually, paint can begin to chip or scratch with prolonged use, and it could start to make your revived furniture look a little shabby again.

I would absolutely take the time to use a wax or topcoat for painted and stained furniture. We never waxed our kitchen after we painted it, and there are scratches all around the door handles and the cupboards from use. We did, though, wax the paint when we painted our daughter’s wardrobes and so far, no chips or damage! It’s so worth the time.

If your project has involved fabric, you can apply a fabric protector to guard against stains (particularly important for chairs and sofas).

 

Step 7: Show your furniture off!

It’s time to show off your hard work, so really think about where your furniture is going (preferably in a place people will see it so they’ll ask where you got it from and you have the joy of being able to say you did it yourself).

Whether it’s a painted dresser in the bedroom, a reupholstered chair in the living room, or a stained dining table, these pieces will add character and tell a story of creativity and sustainability.