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 home. 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 an old piece feel new. A new coat of paint or wood varnish can make that tired old wardrobe look like a vintage treasure. You can also get creative with new fittings 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, 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.
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interior designer of Viola Interior Design, adds that this works well for a piece that is stained in a tone that is no longer current and therefore looks outdated.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 filling 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 bed sheet storage
If you love a good book, then you probably have some old bookcases that you can repurpose around your home. ‘An old bookcase can be perfect for storing bed sheets, towels and tablecloths,’ Melissa says. ‘Paint it or wallpaper the back, add baskets or bins for organisation and add a cafe curtain to hide anything less appealing.’
Related: How to declutter your books and finally fit them all on the shelf
Transform a vintage chest into a coffee table
No living room is complete without a coffee table in the centre. ‘A vintage chest can double as a coffee table with storage,’ Melissa says. ‘Add a few books and a tray to the top, store your cosy 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 rubber pads.
Update fittings
Emma Seymour, associate director of the textiles lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, says one of her favourite ways to repurpose old furniture is to update the fittings.
‘I regularly swap out the accessories on furniture in my home,’ she says. ‘I also changed the fittings on my kitchen cabinets, which is an easy upgrade.’
Milan adds that replacing knobs or handles with sculptural accessories or updating furniture legs with modern alternatives can instantly modernise a design. ‘These small adjustments are often enough to make familiar pieces feel completely new,’ he 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,’ Elisabeth says. ‘Choose a bold pattern or even a textured grasscloth paper for a fresh look.’
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, Elisabeth 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.
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 across the back of a sofa or headboard, or cover an old side table with a chic tablecloth,’ Elisabeth tells GH.
Related: 10 creative ways to upcycle old tablecloths
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 an extension lead 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 colour, you can turn a drab piece of furniture into a stunner.’ she says.
