3 Easy Tricks to Transform a Piece of Furniture
Whether you're upcycling a thrift store find or giving a little love to the desk your grandmother left you, there are plenty of ways to give a piece of furniture a fresh new look without paying full price!
In this article, you'll find 3 easy tricks to refresh your furniture without breaking the bank.
Paint and/or Stain
Paint can literally transform almost anything. Practically any surface can be painted; you just need to prep it properly and use the right kind of paint!
Our favourite ideas:
- Paint just the legs of a piece of furniture for a more modern look;
- Paint the whole piece a vibrant colour so it becomes the statement piece of your space;
- Paint just the drawer fronts;
- Paint a tabletop in a colour that contrasts with the legs;
- Play with paint finishes to create texture. For example, paint a chair's seat and back with a high-gloss finish and, on the other hand, paint the frame and legs with a very matte finish.
Change a Piece of Furniture's Hardware
By hardware, we mean the handles, legs, mirrors, etc. that come with a piece in its original state. Sometimes simply removing the extra flourishes or hardware can completely change a piece of furniture.
Our favourite ideas:
- Swap out a piece's handles for colourful, more modern ones, or simply remove them altogether;
- Change the legs of a desk or table for a cleaner look;
- Remove the frame or ornate details that can make a mirror feel overdone;
- Reupholster a chair in a fabric that will fit better with your decor;
- Remove the top hutch of a china cabinet to turn it into a lighter, less bulky console.
It's also worth asking yourself what purpose a piece of furniture really needs to serve. Does it absolutely have to keep its original function? Could you give it a new one instead? For example, an old console can easily become your new TV stand once you remove the legs, while the dresser in your bedroom could just as easily become your new sideboard. Staying open-minded and creative is key when reimagining a piece of furniture and its purpose.
Self-Adhesive Vinyl
If paint isn't your thing, no problem! You can also change the look of a piece of furniture with peel-and-stick mural wallpaper. This product is affordable, easy to install, and lets you add a pattern that simply wouldn't be possible with paint.
Our favourite ideas:
- Apply a mural or wallpaper to the back of a shelving unit;
- Cover a desk or table surface with self-adhesive wallpaper;
- Apply a vinyl wall decal to a piece's drawer fronts;
- Apply a decorative frosted window film to a mirror or glass doors.
There's never a bad reason to transform a piece of furniture you already own: it's good for the environment and your wallet, and it saves you from out-of-stock products and shipping delays that can sometimes drag on far too long…
For more inspiration, check out our Pinterest board.
Happy transforming!
