10 Tips for Upcycling Furniture for Beginners
If you want to help the environment, but you don't know how to, one of the simple ways to get started is through upcycling furniture.
There are plenty of furniture gems out there looking for a home. Sadly, too many of them are going to end up in landfills because they get taken by furniture removal and no one has the time to fix them up and give them life again.
Upcycled furniture not only can look really cool, but it can give you a neat story to tell your friend. Continue reading this article to learn how to upcycle furniture and the top tips you need to know.
1. Know What You're Working With
Before you start working on your new project, it is helpful to try to get an understanding of the piece. Where did it come from? What was the initial intent with this piece?
It might sound strange, but if you want things to turn out well, you want to build a sort of relationship with the piece you're working with. It's almost as if it will talk to you and tell you what it wants to be and what it wants to look like.
Use some investigative work and let it tell you its story before getting started.
2. Think Outside the Box
When you're looking at old things that are discarded, it's easy to just see them as they are. An old recliner might just look like a used piece of furniture, but by taking a little time to fix up the recliner, it might turn into the perfect focal piece in your living room.
Seeing things as what you can turn them into vs. what they are will allow you to determine the value of the piece to you.
3. Don't Spend Big Bucks on Vintage
It's easy to get sucked into buying vintage furniture at a high-end consignment shop or antique shop. Instead of spending all of your money there, head down to a flea market with friendlier prices and see what's available there.
Most of the time, anything you can find that's vintage, you can find somewhere else. Don't spend more than your budget allows.
4. Use the Good Paintbrushes
Investing in your paintbrushes will allow you to get a high-quality look for your new upcycled furniture. If you buy the cheapy paintbrushes, you'll find their bristles are falling out, and they get everywhere.
There's nothing more frustrating than getting done with a beautiful piece just to find that it is covered in paintbrush bits.
If you want to make sure you use brushes that work well with the paint you're using, see if you can find brushes that are the same as the brand of paint. Also, make sure to clean them as soon as you're done with them, so they stay in good condition for your next project.
5. Don't Be Afraid to Be Bold
If you have a favorite color you want to showcase in your house, now is the perfect time to splash some paint on something.
The good news is that if you don't like how something turns out, you can always change it. It might take a little work, but why even do something DIY if you aren't going to have some fun and put your personality into it?
6. Distressed Furniture Is In
If you don't think you're the best at painting—no problem. If you don't do such a great job painting, you can always turn it into a distressed paint job.
Before you put paint on your project piece, you'll need to sand it down unless you want to use chalk paint. If you want it to look really distressed, then go over it with sandpaper again after you're done painting.
7. Use Stencils
If you want to change the look of one of your pieces but you don't want to go overboard, try stencils. You can make the piece of furniture stand out and make the whole place look beautiful.
You will add some of your personal style in the room when you have some fun with your favorite stencils.
8. Become an Upholstering Genius
One of the easiest ways to make an old and tired chair look like it's super ritzy and expensive is by reupholstering. When you change up the upholstery on the chair, it looks like a whole new piece.
One of the things you should note as well is that it doesn't have to cost a lot of money when you redo your upholstered chairs. You can use old sheets, curtains, or discounted materials to get the material you need without a hefty price tag.
9. Fancy Countertops
Do you hate the way your countertop looks? That's an easy fix if you use self-adhesive vinyl. You can put it on top of your current counter, and it will change the way the whole room looks.
Besides looking amazing, it is heat resistant and is easy to clean.
10. Say Yes to Wallpaper
If you don't feel like getting into the annoyance of paint, one of the alternatives is using wallpaper. You can put wallpaper on the wall, or you might opt to put it on the side of furniture to spice up the look.
There are so many cool patterns. You're sure to find one that you'll like.
You're a Pro at Upcycling Furniture
Now you have some of the best strategies and tips for upcycling furniture. You can enjoy the savings in your wallet and give yourself a sense of accomplishment once you're finished with your projects.
Do you want to learn more about DIY and other important topics? Keep reading our blog to get the additional information you need.