Is there a piece of furniture in your home that you’ve been planning on DIY updating?
Revamping old furniture into new and stylish pieces can be a great way to save money, and have some fun! But where to start?
Keep reading to learn how to revamp your furniture like a pro.
Image courtesy of Style by Emily Henderson
I have done my fair share of furniture restorations, but the biggest issue I always encounter is the best way to paint to make it look like it was done by a pro. I found this awesome step by step guide on Style by Emily Henderson where she picked the brains of the amazing Meg Piercy of MegMade. This 12 step paint tutorial covers everything you need to become a master furniture painter, check it out!
Step 1: Gather all your tools and take a before picture so you can compare and appreciate all your hard work.
Step 2: Take off the old hardware and put it in a safe place.
Step 3: Remove all the drawers and doors. Get a blower or hairdryer to blow out any dust from inside of the cabinet and behind the drawers.
Step 4: Use a degreasing spray and Brillo pad to clean the entire piece.
Step 5: Fill in any dents, cracks, scratches, or missing veneer with Bondo if you’re feeling adventurous or a simple wood filler if the Bondo seems intimidating.
Step 6: Sand the wood filler or Bondo until smooth
Step 7: Now, the fun part—it’s time to paint. You can surely use regular interior latex paint, but I prefer chalk paint because it adheres to furniture beautifully without the use of primer and (usually) no sanding, which is why we love to use it.
Step 8: Put a piece of tape on the inside of the hardware holes to avoid paint dripage.
Step 9: Apply your first layer of paint and do it quickly. (If it begins to dry while you’re painting, you’ll get pull marks.) After you’ve painted everything once, wait for the piece to dry completely. Then, take high-grit sandpaper (400 or higher) and scuff the entire piece (but don’t rub it too hard because that will remove the paint.) Be sure to wrap up your brushes in a bag if you don’t want to rinse off between coats so the paint doesn’t get cakey and clumpy.
Step 10: Give the piece another coat and wait for it to dry. If your paint starts to get a little thick, you can add a bit more water.
Step 11: Once dry (a solid 24 hours is recommended here), use a rag to liberally rub the wax over every painted surface (you can also add the wax on the tracks of drawers to make them glide more smoothly). You can use either clear wax or a tinted formula depending on the finish you desire.
Step 12: After about 20 minutes—or when the piece is not tacky go back with a dry rag or 0000 steel wool to buff it.
For a full tutorial with pictures click here! Meg’s blog also includes her favourite products to use and a few insider tricks!
Now that you have access to THE BEST furniture paint tutorial, here are some other tips to elevate your repurposed furniture.
Add new hardware
New hardware is a great way to give your old furniture a modern new touch! I’ve found the best place to buy drawer pulls and handles is Amazon!
Check out how Sarashomehaven used these leather drawer pulls help to transform this IKEA dresser.
Image courtesy of Sarashomehaven
New Legs
One of my favourite ways to elevate old furniture – whether it’s a bookcase, drawers, or a bench – is by adding new legs. Adding some mid-century, or hairpin legs is a great way to give furniture a fresh look.
Cane Webbing
I love adding cane webbing to everything possible, it’s a great way to incorporate a different style into your home, and adds a beautiful boho-Scandinavian vibe to any piece! Check out this gorgeous refurbished cabinet from Hunker.
Image courtesy of Hunker
Simple Touches
Photo: Addicted2Decorating
Take a look at this simple revamp – a fresh coat of paint and simple design add ons such as this gold trim make a huge difference!
I hope you enjoy these tips on how to up your furniture revamp game, I know I am very excited for my next project now. If you’re wanting to take this DIY project on but are having some hesitations, we recommend also checking out So Much Better With Age!