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A Guide to Upcycling Furniture
If you have an old dresser, side table or set of chairs that need some TLC, don’t get rid of them – upcycle them! Not only is this more sustainable than buying new furniture, but you’ll be surprised how easily you can transform unloved pieces with minimal cost and time. Our guide to upcycling furniture includes handy tips and tricks for improving the look of tired furniture, including the equipment you’ll need, the best paint to use, and a step-by-step guide.
What you’ll need to upcycle furniture
First, you’ll need to source wooden furniture to upcycle. This may be a piece you already own, or you can pick something up secondhand. Our favourite upcycled furniture ideas include coffee tables, side tables, bookcases, TV units, dining tables and chairs.
Before you get started on your upcycling project, there are a few other things you’ll need, including:
Masking tape
Dust sheets
Sandpaper
Paintbrushes
Small paint roller (optional)
Roller tray
Undercoat or primer
Interior wood paint in your chosen shade and finish
The best paint for upcycling wood furniture
At Dulux Decorator Centre, we offer a range of interior wood paints perfect for your next upcycling project. Choose neutral shades for a timeless appeal, or opt for brighter tones to make your furniture stand out. Then, decide on your favourite finish, from gloss to eggshell, satin and matte.
If your furniture has metal handles, knobs or feet, you might also want to paint these areas. Use a specialist metal paint to achieve a long-lasting finish on metal fixtures.
How to upcycle furniture: step-by-step
Learn how to prepare furniture for painting, make repairs, and re-paint in our step-by-step guide. It’s essential to follow each step in order, and don’t skip the prep stages if you want the best results for your project. Our Skills Development Consultant, Mark Rigby, shares his advice on upcycling:
Furniture restoration and upcycling is no different than any other decorating project, and the key to a successful outcome is preparation. The more time and effort you put into this stage, the better the results will be.
1. Prepare the surface
If the furniture you’re upcycling is painted, you’ll need to remove this before to ensure maximum adhesion and a smooth finish on your new paint job. Peeling paint can be sanded off, while thicker coats should be removed with paint strippers. Even if the furniture isn’t painted, you must sand it beforehand.
Mark highlights the importance of using the correct preparation products for the job:
Use the correct cleaning materials to remove all surface contamination. Research which abrasives you’ll need, as they differ for each surface, whether removing laminated coatings or smoothing over unpainted wood.
2. Make any repairs
Once the existing paint is removed, you should be able to see the natural wood’s texture. Check for any cracks or holes in the surface and use filler to repair them. Always opt for specialist wood filler, as Mark advises:
Dedicated wood fillers tend to be more flexible than regular fillers and will be much better suited to cope with the movements in wooden substrates.
After the filler has dried, sand the area until smooth.
3. Apply primer
Primers and undercoats are essential when painting wooden furniture, helping the paint adhere to the surface for high-quality, long-lasting results. Apply a light coat using a paintbrush, then leave to dry. Once dry, gently sand the surface before painting, using a finer-grain sandpaper than in Step 1.
4. Apply paint
Grab your chosen paint colour and pour a small amount into a roller tray. This is much easier than dipping the brush into the pot each time and allows you to wipe off any excess, ensuring an even coating. You might want to use a small paint roller on larger areas, like table tops or cupboard doors, to apply the paint more efficiently. Use a corner roller or small paintbrush for detail work and hard-to-reach areas.
If you’re painting a set of furniture, like a dining table and chairs, you could use a spray machine to save time and achieve a flawless finish on your upcycling project. Learn more about the benefits of spray paint machines in our guide.
Explore the range of professional application products at Dulux Decorator Centre, including paintbrushes, rollers, trays, and spray paint machines, to find the tools you need.
Looking for more decorating advice and inspiration? Visit our blog for related articles, including:
How to brighten up your home on a budget