Upgrade instead of discard
Liven up old dressers and furniture with handles and knobs. Trends come and go, so all of a sudden your home no longer feels quite of the moment. Or it might simply be that the furniture is showing signs of everyday wear and tear (yes - dear children, we love you, but you could be a little gentler with the furniture sometimes).
In these situations the temptation is great to throw out the old and buy in the new. However, there are many different ways to extend the lifespan of your existing furniture, which is gentler on both your wallet and the environment. This is commonly known as "upcycling".
Upcycling furniture lets us breathe new life into an old and worn item through simple means, such as a fresh dab of paint or new handles and knobs. The effect can be dramatic and give your home decor the facelift it deserves. Our expert team here at Freya Home has therefore put together some practical tips on how you can start “upcycling” your old furniture.
Be ready to upcycle furniture, dressers and cabinets
You'll most likely need items such as sandpaper, string and masking tape. You'll also very likely need to use paintbrushes - make sure they're of decent quality! After all, there's nothing more annoying than having to pick off stray bristles or never getting an even finish.
Choose your project: Drawers, new handles, kitchen cabinet fronts - pick one project at a time
It's important that you choose the right type of project. Perhaps it's some old drawers that can be made like new with a few new drawer handles, or maybe it's your chairs that can be spruced up with new chair upholstery. Whatever it is, you should try to focus on one project at a time so that you actually finish them.
Painting to spruce up furniture and dressers
Painting is perhaps the most popular way to spruce up furniture or dressers. You'll be amazed at how big a difference a dab of fresh paint can make. Paint can not only be used to mask any troublesome scratches and scuffs, but it can also provide a simple yet effective colour change that ties your new decor together with the old. It's important to choose the right colour with a clear goal in mind, so decide in advance whether you want to highlight a new accent colour or simply find a colour that complements the rest of the decor.
Local DIY shops are often kinder on the wallet than big chains when it comes to buying paint. Otherwise you could also ask friends and family whether anyone has unwanted leftovers from previous projects - a small win for the environment.
Before applying any paint, it's always recommended to first sand the surface with sandpaper. This is so you get an even surface and can remove any excess paint or residue that could affect the surface for your new paint. If the furniture is lacquered, you'll need to sand a bit more or even apply a little solvent before painting.
Replacing fittings, handles or knobs
If you're happy with the colour of your furniture but still want to achieve a fresh new style, why not simply replace your old fittings with something new?
New handles or knobs can actually make a big difference to your decor. With the almost endless supply of inspiration out there, there's no limit to how creative you can get with your existing dressers or kitchen cabinet fronts.
The Loop leather handles in natural leather fitted on wardrobes from IKEA.This approach is probably the easiest (just make sure to measure up so you buy handles with the right dimensions) and definitely more cost-effective than repainting a whole piece of furniture. Upgrading your handles or knobs also gives you the option to easily change your mind should you decide on a different interior theme in the future.
Detailing - when handles and fresh paint aren't enough
If fresh paint or upgraded handles simply don't solve your problems, are there other ways to achieve that little extra something? There are loads of ways to make your furniture more eye-catching and unique.
Stencils are excellent for putting a unique stamp on your furniture and for tying together different elements in your home. With a brush or spray paint, you can easily mirror the shapes or colours of different pieces of furniture without going bankrupt buying whole sets of expensive furniture.
The possibilities are many - but always remember to choose colours and details that go together. It can be easier to choose a simpler colour as a base and then combine it with fittings or details for the pop of colour.
