A striking piece of furniture can make a big statement in a room. Whether it’s a well-preserved antique, an heirloom you want to keep for its memories, or a thrift shop find that doesn’t quite match your décor style, there are lots of ways to give those pieces new life.
With just a few small steps, you can easily change and spruce up old furniture.
Add a New Stain or Glaze
Simply adding a new stain is one easy way to refresh an already beautiful piece of wooden furniture.
“There are thousands of colors to choose from and you can even combine a few different colors for more dimension,” says Andrea Mckinley, owner and operator of Restored By Grace Refinishing Service, who serves clients throughout NoVA.
Be sure to prep the piece by removing hardware, stripping it, and sanding it.
“Fill in the nicks and dents with a matching stain marker and a clear coat for a fresh, stunning appearance,” Mckinley says. “This saves time and money because you’re not starting from square one.”
This method also allows you to keep the character of the old piece if that is your desired finished look.
Mckinley recommends using a new stain and topcoat in either an oil or a water-based formula.
Fresh Coat of Paint
Changing up or adding some paint is another simple way to update a piece of furniture.
“This can completely change the look and feel of anything you can flip,” says Mckinley.
And there are a ton of different paint options to choose from including milk paint, enamel, oil based, interior, and exterior. Different painting techniques, such as farmhouse, French provincial, and distressed, make the choices seem limitless.
You could even use spray paint as an easier option.
“Spray paint can be used on practically any surface you would need painted, and it is oil-based so it will last a long time,” says Mckinley.
Change Up Legs or Hardware
Another way to upgrade a piece of furniture is to cut off or replace the legs.
For instance, Mckinley says don’t be afraid to cut legs off of a bar stool or end table to transform it into an awesome new foot stool or side table.
“Most feet on a piece of furniture are either screwed on or screwed into holes so they are super easy to swap out,” she says.
Changing the hardware can create a whole new look.
“This can truly make or break a piece of furniture or make a statement about the piece,” Mckinley says. “You can find tons of vintage hardware and castors for furniture on Etsy, eBay, or any online marketplace.”
Repurpose Items for New Causes
If you don’t love the piece of furniture as it is, consider thinking outside of the box. Many pieces can be repurposed for use in a different way or to better match your décor style.
Mckinley suggests you might have an old antique door that could be made into a headboard or a coat rack. Or an old ladder that could become a blanket holder.
“You could take an old armoire and make it into a kid’s closet,” she says.
The possibilities are endless.
Create Dimension with Epoxy
If you’re looking for a whole new look, you can always use resin to make an awesome finish on a piece, says Mckinley.
“Make it look marble and add dried flowers or other items into the epoxy for a 4D look,” she says.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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