How to Do New Things With Old Furniture
If your furniture is bringing you down, don't assume you have to replace it! Discover new ways to revive and disguise it
Jo Simmons
20 March 2017
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Familiarity can breed contempt. It’s true of human relationships, but also the case when it comes to our furniture. That chest of drawers you once loved may suddenly seem terribly dated. That chair you inherited but never liked may now actively offend you! That sofa you saved up for may have lost its shape or grown a little grubby. But just because you’re losing the love for your furniture, doesn’t mean you have to ditch it altogether. Instead, think about transforming what you already own. Sometimes, all it takes is a small tweak, a clever disguise or an artful rethink to give old pieces an exciting new look, saving you a lot of money, too.
Redesign those drawers
Upcycle a neutral, inexpensive piece with pretty colours and decorative knobs. This is an Ikea chest of drawers, hacked creatively to look colourful and quirky. Using paint achieves a cheerful effect, or for speed, try using sticky-backed-plastic sheets. Redecorating only the drawer fronts makes this a quick and straightforward job.
Upcycle a neutral, inexpensive piece with pretty colours and decorative knobs. This is an Ikea chest of drawers, hacked creatively to look colourful and quirky. Using paint achieves a cheerful effect, or for speed, try using sticky-backed-plastic sheets. Redecorating only the drawer fronts makes this a quick and straightforward job.
Spread a cloth
The easiest way to disguise an unimpressive dining table, or simply give an existing table a fresh new look, is to spread a tablecloth over it! Go for classic white linen for a cool, timeless look, or repurpose a length of printed fabric as a tablecloth.
Discover easy ways to set up a spectacular dining table
The easiest way to disguise an unimpressive dining table, or simply give an existing table a fresh new look, is to spread a tablecloth over it! Go for classic white linen for a cool, timeless look, or repurpose a length of printed fabric as a tablecloth.
Discover easy ways to set up a spectacular dining table
Layer on the throws…
If your sofa or armchair has seen better days, disguise its tired upholstery with throws and blankets. Go for ones made from weighty, thick fabrics which will pad out the sofa and add to its comfort rather than mould to it. Be sure to layer up throws in various textures, too, to create a deep, sumptuous feel. Look out for patterned quilts, animal skins, knitted blankets and patchwork throws, then have fun combining them.
If your sofa or armchair has seen better days, disguise its tired upholstery with throws and blankets. Go for ones made from weighty, thick fabrics which will pad out the sofa and add to its comfort rather than mould to it. Be sure to layer up throws in various textures, too, to create a deep, sumptuous feel. Look out for patterned quilts, animal skins, knitted blankets and patchwork throws, then have fun combining them.
…Or make a singular statement
Alternatively, use a single throw or blanket and arrange it in a visually exciting way.
Of course, there’s nothing to disguise about this elegant daybed, but the blanket artfully rumpled on it should inspire you if your own seating is a source of visual frustration. Rather than neatly folding blankets or throws over the back of a sofa or covering the seats, try mussing it up and enjoy how the textured, wavy result brings energy to familiar seating.
Alternatively, use a single throw or blanket and arrange it in a visually exciting way.
Of course, there’s nothing to disguise about this elegant daybed, but the blanket artfully rumpled on it should inspire you if your own seating is a source of visual frustration. Rather than neatly folding blankets or throws over the back of a sofa or covering the seats, try mussing it up and enjoy how the textured, wavy result brings energy to familiar seating.
Refresh your head
Bored of your headboard? Cover it by draping a length of patterned fabric over it. Choose a piece long enough to secure by tucking beneath the mattress, or use a staple gun to hold the fabric in place.
Bored of your headboard? Cover it by draping a length of patterned fabric over it. Choose a piece long enough to secure by tucking beneath the mattress, or use a staple gun to hold the fabric in place.
Embellish with art
If you simply want to refresh familiar pieces, rather than radically overhaul them, consider stickers and stencils. Add a pattern over the surface of a coffee table, on the seat of a wooden chair or across one corner of a chest of drawers. The furniture won’t be drastically altered, but it will be enhanced.
Find out how to bring in an accent wall
If you simply want to refresh familiar pieces, rather than radically overhaul them, consider stickers and stencils. Add a pattern over the surface of a coffee table, on the seat of a wooden chair or across one corner of a chest of drawers. The furniture won’t be drastically altered, but it will be enhanced.
Find out how to bring in an accent wall
Remove some layers
Rather than painting furniture to revive it, try stripping it back. Vigorous sanding will remove paint on a wooden piece and produces a pleasingly patchy, distressed result. For a cleaner finish that reveals the wood below completely, use a chemical paint stripper, although you’ll need to wear protective gear and may have to work outside. This kitchen cupboard demonstrates another cheap and easy way to reinvent a piece of furniture – an offcut of wallpaper lines its interior, and is just glimpsed through the glass.
Rather than painting furniture to revive it, try stripping it back. Vigorous sanding will remove paint on a wooden piece and produces a pleasingly patchy, distressed result. For a cleaner finish that reveals the wood below completely, use a chemical paint stripper, although you’ll need to wear protective gear and may have to work outside. This kitchen cupboard demonstrates another cheap and easy way to reinvent a piece of furniture – an offcut of wallpaper lines its interior, and is just glimpsed through the glass.
Use a sizzling shade
Painting furniture is a brilliant way to give it a new lease of life, but simply whitewashing a pine chest of drawers is only the start. Why not choose a zingy, neon shade to bring a sharp accent to your space? And consider painting metal pieces as well as wood – this iron four-poster bed was radically brightened up with car spray paint.
Want to bring in high contrast into your living room? Read on
Painting furniture is a brilliant way to give it a new lease of life, but simply whitewashing a pine chest of drawers is only the start. Why not choose a zingy, neon shade to bring a sharp accent to your space? And consider painting metal pieces as well as wood – this iron four-poster bed was radically brightened up with car spray paint.
Want to bring in high contrast into your living room? Read on
Paint over a picture
If you’re tired of staring at the same old prints and posters, why not customise them? Add graffiti-style splodges in bold, contrasting colours to create your own exciting artwork (though possibly only if it’s a reproduction, not an original), or doodle in amusing details that add a witty touch to an over-familiar image.
If you’re tired of staring at the same old prints and posters, why not customise them? Add graffiti-style splodges in bold, contrasting colours to create your own exciting artwork (though possibly only if it’s a reproduction, not an original), or doodle in amusing details that add a witty touch to an over-familiar image.
Twist convention
Give new design direction to an old piece of furniture by tweaking it slightly. This is a witty take on a chest of drawers. The main body of the piece remains but its drawers have been replaced with vintage suitcases. It’s a whole new look for a familiar bit of furniture, offering the same amount of storage, but tons more style!
Give new design direction to an old piece of furniture by tweaking it slightly. This is a witty take on a chest of drawers. The main body of the piece remains but its drawers have been replaced with vintage suitcases. It’s a whole new look for a familiar bit of furniture, offering the same amount of storage, but tons more style!
Spray for a miracle!
Spray paint makes updating smaller pieces a breeze. Here, copper spray paint has been used to give a classic wooden standard lamp a funky new look. If budget allows, top off with bold new shade to complete the transformation.
Read more:
How to Use Colour in Your Living Room
How to Style Up Your Small Kitchen
Tell us:
Do you have any tips for transforming furniture? Add them to the Comments below.
Spray paint makes updating smaller pieces a breeze. Here, copper spray paint has been used to give a classic wooden standard lamp a funky new look. If budget allows, top off with bold new shade to complete the transformation.
Read more:
How to Use Colour in Your Living Room
How to Style Up Your Small Kitchen
Tell us:
Do you have any tips for transforming furniture? Add them to the Comments below.
Related Stories
Working with professionals
Busted! 5 Myths About Working With an Interior Designer
By Tanya Khanna
We put to bed the biggest misconceptions about working with design professionals
Full Story
Working with professionals
Can Hiring an Interior Designer Save You Money?
We dispel the biggest misconception that working with an interior designer will drive up the cost of the project
Full Story
Working with professionals
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer?
From furnishing working drawings to beautifying the home, find out how an interior designer plays multifunctional roles
Full Story
More Room Guides
Turn One Room Into Two With These Genius Ideas
Carve out an extra room within your home with these fab room-splitting tips and tricks
Full Story
Bedroom Guides
What Are the Ideal Wardrobe Measurements?
Here are dimensions for different types of wardrobe designs that ensure maximum functionality and storage
Full Story
More Room Guides
7 Types of Glass That Allow in Light & Privacy
These glass products and treatments will increase privacy without losing natural light
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
9 Ways to Make Minimalism Work in Indian Homes
Here are smart ways to harmoniously combine the minimalist ethos with Indian aesthetics and lifestyles
Full Story
Most Popular
Which False Ceiling Material is Better: Gypsum or POP?
Here is all you need to know about the difference between gypsum and POP before you commit to a ceiling
Full Story
Most Popular
Where to Use Which Paint?
Know your emulsions from your acrylics, and the right types for painting the home's interior & exterior
Full Story
Life
10 Bad Habits That Are Making Your Home Messier...
By Jo Simmons
...and how to break them! Tweak your mess-forming behaviours and help tidy up your interior
Full Story
So a "rumpled blanket" makes a statement does it? Yep - it says to me that it's just been discarded by someone too bone idle to tidy up.
Daubing paint over pictures? Come on - that's a joke - isn't it?
Replacing drawers with suitcases that have to heaved in and out of their space - quick way to put your back out - hardly a good idea. Oh - and where do you put the drawers? Stack 'em up to look like quirky steps no doubt....
I wonder - does the person who's come up with these ideas actually employ them all in his/her home? That I would love to see.....
Looks like one of our vases :-)
I cannot see the beauty in chipped painted furniture. Also hate suitcases. otherwise quirky pieces are fine.