DIY Upcycling: 5 Ingenious Ways to Transform Old Furniture

Are you someone who wants to give New Life to Old Furniture with DIY Upcycling?

Are you tired of looking at that old dresser gathering dust in the corner? Or maybe that bookshelf you’ve had since university is on its last legs.

We’ve all got pieces of furniture that have seen better days, but we can’t bear to part with them. The good news is you don’t have to toss your treasured items or spend a fortune remaking them.

With a little DIY spirit, you can give your old furniture new life through upcycling! DIY Upcycling is taking something old and turning it into something useful again without completely stripping it down.

It’s a sustainable way to refresh your home decor on a budget. And it allows you to keep furniture that holds sentimental value while giving it a fresh new look. Ready to revive your worn-out furnishings?

Read on for tips to DIY upcycle different types of furniture in clever ways.

5 Transforming Ways to DIY Upcycling Your Old Furniture

Here are some awesome tips for easy DIY upcycling ideas.

1. Refreshing and Repurposing Old Dressers

Dressers are often handed down or purchased secondhand. While they may be worse for wear, a little upcycling can make them look good as new. Here are some ideas for bringing tired dressers back to life:

Sand and Stain

If your dresser has a solid wood finish beneath layers of paint or varnish, try sanding it down and applying a new stain. Choose a colour that suits your style. Add updated hardware like knobs or pulls to finish the look.

Paint techniques

For dressers with laminate or particleboard finishes, paint is your best bet. An ombre or gradient effect adds visual interest. Dry brushing over painted finishes also creates neat, distressed textures.

Wallpaper cover

Use wallpaper or contact paper to cover a dresser’s inside and outside. This lets you change the colour and pattern easily—Accessorise with new knobs that pick up colours from the paper.

Convert to storage

Dresser drawers can hold all kinds of everyday items. Try using one to organise towels in a bathroom or spices in a kitchen. Place a dresser in an entryway to hold hats, scarves and gloves. Get creative!

2. Upcycling Ideas for Old Bookshelves & Cabinets

Bookshelves and cabinets tend to get scratched and water-stained over the years. Luckily, there are DIY Upcycling tricks that camouflage damage and make them gorgeous again:

Painted patterns

Add coats of paint in contrasting colours to create geometric, striped or stencilled designs on cabinets. Use painter’s tape to create clean edges between colours.

Distressed finishes

Make marks, dings, and worn areas disappear under a distressed paint treatment. Whitewash or antique glazing waxes also give a worn patina look.

Outdoor upgrades

Take bookshelves and cabinets outdoors by sealing and finishing them for protection. A coat of weatherproof paint allows you to upcycle kitchen cabinets into garden units.

Glass door additions

Install glass panel doors on open bookshelves or cabinets to make contents less visible. Etched, stained or frosted glass options look chic and help hide clutter.

Removable wallpaper

Line the back of bookcases with a patterned wallpaper to add a fun pop of colour and texture visible through shelves. Switch it up seasonally if desired!

3. Breathing New Life into Old Tables and Desks

From flea market finds to hand-me-downs, old tables and desks are ripe for DIY upcycling. Make them functional focal points with these DIY ideas:

Add painter’s legs

Swap simple legs for decorative ones like tapered Painter’s Legs found at hardware stores. They instantly dress up old tables.

Incorporate storage

Cut a hole in the centre of a tabletop to insert a painted wooden box or basket for storing clutter like remotes and chargers.

Specialty finishes

Try finishes like glossy chalk paint, textured sand paste or metallic rub-ons to transform a tired table. You can try distressing and dry brushing techniques work here, too.

Personalisation

Turn a table into a family keepsake by decoupaging it with photos or your kids’ art. Etch names, dates or designs into the edges or legs as well.

Change the top

Flip a table upside down and attach a new top entirely – try salvaged barn wood, patterned tiles or a mosaic-style collage. Stencil the base in a fun colour.

4. Revitalising Old Chairs and Benches

Chairs and benches are often easy to find secondhand. Their small size makes them perfect for little upcycling projects:

Fabric updates

Reupholster seat cushions or backs in bold patterns and fabric like faux leather, suede or colourful prints. Use textile medium to adhere fabric right to the chair.

Stencil designs

Add interest to painted patterns, shapes, stripes, or celestial shapes using stencils and paint pens. Look for peel-and-stick stencils to make it extra easy.

Leggings

Instantly change the look by slipping stretchy chair “leggings” over the legs. They come in cool textures like faux fur, sequins, burlap and more.

Nailhead trim

Use a nail gun or hammer and nails to add decorative nailhead trim around the edges of a chair back or seat. Brass and black are classic colour choices.

Wood finishes

Try gel stains, paint, chalk paint or whitewash to transform the colour and finish of wooden chairs without chairs. Distressing brings out character.

My Final Thoughts on DIY Upcycling Old Furniture

With a bit of ingenuity, it’s amazing what a second life you can give worn-out furniture. The best part of upcycling is that you’re reducing waste and saving money, too. 

Next time you’re tempted to toss an old bookshelf or desk, try one of these techniques to remake it instead. 

Feel free to get creative and make it your own. Your home décor will benefit from the unique DIY touches.

Do you like these easy DIY upcycling ideas? Let me know in the comment box if you have any ideas!

FAQs

Is upcycling furniture difficult?

Upcycling furniture can be as easy or challenging as you want it to be! There are beginner-friendly projects like painting a dresser or adding new hardware. For more advanced upcyclers, some projects involve deconstructing and rebuilding furniture pieces into something entirely new.

What kind of furniture can be upcycle?

Almost any type of furniture can be upcycle! From dressers and chairs to tables and bookshelves, the possibilities are endless. The key is to assess the piece’s condition and envision its potential. Even furniture with minor damage can be transformed with some creativity and effort.

What tools and materials do I need to upcycle furniture?

The tools and materials you’ll need will depend on your specific project. However, some general supplies include sandpaper, paint brushes, paint or stain, screwdrivers, and a hammer. For more involved projects, you might need a power sander or drill.