Give Tired Furniture a Makeover with Simple Upcycling Hacks

I absolutely love finding new uses for old things. It’s so rewarding to breathe new life into furniture that seems worn out or outdated. With a few simple upcycling hacks, I can easily transform sad, forgotten pieces into beautiful showstoppers.

Reasons to Upcycle Old Furniture

There are so many great reasons to try furniture upcycling instead of buying new:

• Saves money – Buying new furniture can be expensive, but with some creativity and elbow grease, I can overhaul existing items on a budget.

• Reduces waste – Upcycling puts old furniture back into use instead of sending it to landfills. It’s a great sustainability strategy.

• Adds personal touch – I can customize furniture with my own flair by choosing fun, unique paint colors, hardware and embellishments.

• Quick weekend projects – Many upcycling furniture ideas can be tackled in a few hours or a weekend. No need to wait weeks for delivery of new items.

• Learn new skills – With each furniture makeover, I add to my DIY skills. It’s so empowering!

Essential Upcycling Supplies

Before starting any furniture facelift, I make sure I have these essential supplies on hand:

• Sandpaper – To smooth any rough or damaged spots so paint adheres properly. I keep multiple grits handy.

• Paint – Chalk paint adheres to surfaces well without priming. I always have white and black plus a few colors on hand.

• Paint brushes and rollers – For applying paint smoothly and evenly. Foam rollers work great.

• Paint tray – To hold and distribute paint to my roller or brush. Disposable aluminum trays are inexpensive.

• Drop cloths – Protect my floors and surroundings from drips and spills.

• Rags and tack cloth – For removing dust before painting and for wiping away mistakes.

• Sanding block – Helps sand flat surfaces evenly and smoothly.

• Stain (optional) – For bringing out wood grains on select pieces instead of paint.

• Sealer – I use polyurethane to seal and protect my painted finishes.

With these supplies on hand, I’m ready to tackle many furniture makeovers using simple upcycling techniques.

Helpful Upcycling Tips and Tricks

Here are some of my best tips for getting great results on furniture upcycling projects:

• Remove hardware – I always take off knobs, pulls and hinges before painting. Easier to paint without them in the way.

• Lightly sand – For the paint to properly adhere, I sand to rough up surfaces, then wipe clean.

• Use painter’s tape – To protect areas I don’t want painted, like edges and hardware holes.

• Work in thin coats – Multiple thin coats of paint look better than one thick coat. I patiently let each coat fully dry.

• Seal paint – A polyurethane sealer protects chalk paint so it holds up to wear and tear. I apply 2-3 thin coats.

• Consider durability – For high-use surfaces like tables and desks, I opt for durable paints like enamel over chalk paint.

• Update hardware – New knobs, pulls and hinges in modern finishes give a fresh facelift. I save old hardware to reinstall later if wanted.

• Watch for sales – I save on my makeovers by buying supplies on sale and checking secondhand shops for furniture to upcycle.

Upcycling Ideas for Common Furniture Types

With so many possibilities, upcycling furniture is lots of fun! Here are some of my favorite makeovers for common furniture pieces:

Dressers

Tired old dressers are perfect upcycling candidates. A few tweaks make them look brand new:

• Sand lightly then apply bold, colorful chalk paint like navy blue or forest green
• Replace old hardware with modern brass pulls
• Decoupage paper onto drawers for an artsy look
• Stencil patterns onto dresser fronts to complement room decor
• Display collections like books or plants on top

Tables and Desks

To upcycle basic tables and desks:

• Paint apron or legs a contrasting color from top
• Stencil numbers or inspirational quotes onto desk surface
• Attach trim pieces along edges for defined lines
• Replace standard hardware with unique knobs or pulls
• Add storage with baskets or a shelf along back

Chairs and Benches

Some of my favorite ways to upgrade chairs:

• Use tufting buttons and upholstery foam to update seat cushion
• Add nailhead trim along seat back and front for vintage flair
• Paint or stencil fun patterns onto wooden chair legs and supports
• Replace seat fabric with eye-catching print or bright color
• Add decorative beading, trim or studs as accents

Finding Inspiration and DIY Know-How

I’m constantly finding new upcycling inspiration online – furniture makeover ideas are everywhere! Here are some of my go-to sources:

• Pinterest – Endless inspiration from DIYers on furniture paint techniques, patterns, colors and more. I have a board just for upcycling ideas!

• Blogs – So many talented bloggers like Funky Junk Interiors and Miss Mustard Seed show off their furniture makeovers step-by-step. Very helpful!

• YouTube – Handy video tutorials that demonstrate upcycling processes. I’ve learned techniques like paint distressing, decoupage and more.

• DIY books – Flip through books like Upcycled at my local library. They’re full of upcycling inspiration and how-to’s.

• Hardware stores – Staff are very knowledgeable about paint products and tools. I’m not afraid to ask associates tons of questions!

With the right inspiration and supplies, I can transform tired furniture into treasured showstoppers. What will you upcycle next?