It's no secret that new furniture can be expensive. Finding ways to extend the life of your existing pieces can save you some serious cash, as I learned when I recently moved into a new apartment. One of my goals was to keep as much of my old furniture as possible rather than buy everything new. And with these expert-backed ideas to revive old furniture, I was able to do just that.
You might be surprised at how easy it is to make a piece feel new. A new coat of paint or wood varnish can make that tired old dresser look like a vintage treasure. You can also get creative with new hardware or peel-and-stick wallpaper — it's not just for walls.
Some of these ideas require basic DIY skills, while others are so easy anyone can pull them off. If you're not sure where to start with some of these ideas, look for online tutorials to help you learn how to do things like sand down your wood furniture or reupholster your headboard with fresh fabric.
Below, experts share creative ideas to revive old furniture. If you're looking for even more upcycling inspiration, read up on how to refresh your home without buying anything new and unexpected things you can upcycle.
Repaint Old Furniture
Don’t underestimate the power of paint when it comes to repurposing old furniture. “A fresh coat of paint in a gloss finish can instantly update an old piece for minimal cost,” says Elisabeth Engelhart, visual styling director at Good Housekeeping Institute. “Sanding and priming beforehand will give you the best results."
Maria Viola-Kuttruff, interior designer of Viola Interior Design, adds that this works well for a piece that is stained in a tone that is no longer current and therefore looks outdated.
Reupholster An Old Headboard
Melissa Dyckman, founder and interior designer at Melissa Dyckman Interiors, says reupholstering an old headboard can give your bedroom new life. “You can achieve this by removing the old fabric, adding fresh batting for fullness and wrapping and stapling the new fabric to the back,” she tells GH. “Finish with pre-sewn piping for a custom look. “
Use An Old Bookcase As Linen Storage
If you’re a bibliophile, then you probably have some old bookcases that you can repurpose around your home. “An old bookcase can be perfect for linen storage,” Dyckman says. “Paint it or wallpaper the back, add baskets or bins for organization and add a cafe curtain to hide anything less appealing.”
RELATED: Genius Linen Closet Organization Ideas
Transform A Vintage Trunk Into A Coffee Table
No living room is complete without a coffee table in the center. “A vintage trunk can double as a coffee table with storage,” Dyckman says. “Add a few books and a tray to the top, store your cozy blankets inside and you have a functional, yet collected piece.”
Similarly, Milan Rousset, director of sales and marketing at Z Gallerie, says that ottomans or benches can be converted into coffee tables by adding a custom-cut tempered glass or mirrored top secured with clear bumpers.
Update Hardware On Dressers
Emma Seymour, associate director of the textiles lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, says one of her favorite ways to repurpose old furniture is to update the hardware.
“I regularly swap out the hardware on furniture in my apartment,” she says. “I also changed the hardware on my kitchen cabinets, which is a great renter-friendly upgrade.”
Rousset adds that replacing knobs or pulls with sculptural hardware, or updating furniture legs with modern casters, can instantly modernize a design. “These small adjustments are often enough to make familiar pieces feel completely new,” she explains.
Add Peel And Stick Wallpaper To Tabletops
You might already have peel-and-stick wallpaper around your home, however, you can use it on old furniture too. “Peel and stick wallpaper adds personality to a basic piece like a bookshelf, cabinet doors or tabletop,” Engelhart says. “Choose a bold pattern or even a textured grasscloth paper for a fresh look.”
RELATED: Removable Wallpapers to Temporarily Transform Your Space
Use An Old Stool As A Plant Stand
There’s nothing wrong with thinking outside the box when it comes to repurposing old furniture. For example, Engelhart says an old stool or chair can double as a plant stand or bedside table to give a cool collected designer look to your space.
RELATED: Best Indoor Plants That Are Hard to Kill
Add Textiles For A Quick Upgrade
Textiles can add an instant upgrade to your space with little to no effort. “Swap out new throw pillows, drape a blanket or fabric across the back of a sofa or headboard, or cover an old side table with a chic tablecloth,” Engelhart tells GH.
Turn A Console Table Into a Desk
If you’re a gamer, then Lauren Lerner, interior designer and founder of Living with Lolo, says you can pretty easily turn a console table into a desk. “Add a power strip underneath and a simple drawer unit on one side for storage,” she says. “It works especially well in a bedroom or hallway where a bulky traditional desk would feel too heavy.”
Refinish Wood Furniture
Monique Valeris, home design director at Good Housekeeping, recommends refinishing old wood furniture to give it new life. “With a little elbow grease and the right stain color, you can turn a drab piece of furniture into a stunner,” she says.
Casey Clark is a freelance consultant who is interested in beauty, health, and style-related commerce content. She learned from Hofstra University with a degree in journalism. Her work has been published in Women's Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.
