Upgrade instead of deleting

Liven up old dressers and furniture with handles and knobs. Trends come and go, so suddenly your home doesn't feel quite up to date anymore. Or it could just be that the furniture is showing signs of everyday wear and tear (yes - dear children, we love you but you could be a little more gentle with the furniture sometimes).

In these situations, it's tempting to throw out the old and buy new. However, there are many different ways to extend the life of your existing furniture, which is easier on both your wallet and the environment. This is commonly known as "upcycling".

Upcycling furniture allows us to breathe new life into an old and worn-out item, through simple means such as a fresh coat of paint or new handles and knobs. The effect can be dramatic and give your home decor the facelift it deserves. Our team of experts here at Freya Home have therefore put together some practical tips on how you can start “upcycling” your old furniture.

Be ready for upcycling furniture, dressers and cabinets

You will probably need items like sandpaper, string, and masking tape. You will also most likely need to use paint brushes - make sure they are of decent quality! There is nothing more annoying than having to pluck out brush bristles or never getting an even paint job.

Choose your project: Drawers, new handles, kitchen doors - choose one project at a time

It's important to choose the right type of project. Maybe it's some old drawers that could be made new with some new drawer handles, or maybe it's your chairs that could be spruced up with new chair upholstery. Whatever it is, try to focus on one project at a time so that you complete the projects.

Painting to spruce up furniture and dressers

Painting is perhaps the most popular way to spruce up your furniture or dresser. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference a touch of new paint can make. Not only can paint be used to cover up any pesky scuffs and scratches, it can also provide a simple but effective color change that can tie your new decor together with your old one. It’s important to choose the right color with a clear goal in mind, so decide in advance whether you want to highlight a new accent color or just find a color that complements the rest of the decor.

Local DIY stores are often kinder to your wallet than big chains when it comes to purchasing paint. Otherwise, you can also ask friends and family if they have unwanted leftovers from previous projects - a small blow to the environment.

Before applying any paint, it is always recommended to sand the surface first with sandpaper. This will give you a smooth surface and remove any excess paint or residue that could affect the surface of your new paint. If the furniture is varnished, you will need to sand a little more or even apply some solvent before painting.

Replacing fittings, handles or knobs

If you're happy with the color of your furniture but still want to get a new fresh style, why not just 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 cabinets.

This is probably the easiest way (just make sure to measure to make sure you buy the right size handles) 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 if you decide on a different interior design theme in the future.

Detailing - if handles and new paint aren't enough

If new paint or upgraded handles simply don't solve your problems, are there other ways to get that little something extra? There are plenty of ways to make your furniture more eye-catching and unique.

Stencils are great for adding a unique touch to your furniture and tying together different elements in your home. With a paintbrush or spray paint, you can easily mirror the shapes or colors of different pieces of furniture without breaking the bank by buying entire sets of expensive furniture.

The possibilities are many - but always remember to choose colors and details that match. It may be easier to choose a simpler color as a base and then combine it with fittings or details for a pop of color.