How to make a modern wardrobe out of a Soviet wardrobe. How to update furniture with your own hands: change the design

Do you want to create a unique interior without extra costs?

Old furniture will help you with this, a photo of the alteration of which you can find with us. There are many ways to transform old, familiar items for you.

The choice of method depends on the purpose of the furniture and the type of coating, as well as its condition at the time of repair.

You can find a step-by-step photo-master class for making furniture with your own hands from old interior items on our website. The process of updating furniture includes two main stages:

• repair;
• decoration.

Let's take a closer look at what you should focus on.

Table repair

Tables are distinguished by their functionality into writing, dining, kitchen and coffee tables. Depending on their purpose, their structure also differs, and, consequently, the restoration process. As a rule, dining tables consist of 4 legs, a bow and a tabletop. They can be solid or folding. When altering such furniture, special attention should be paid to the condition of all elements, as well as their fastening. The legs should be the same, without damage. If necessary, they can be replaced.

The tabletop, in turn, is the main part of the table. Its surface should be smooth, free of grooves, cracks and corrosion. If necessary, wood putty can be used to achieve the desired effect. With its help, you can easily and quickly eliminate all surface imperfections. If necessary, it can also be used in the repair of legs. The same scheme is used in the repair of coffee tables.

Kitchen tables have their own characteristics. Before proceeding with the repair, it is necessary to conduct a complete inspection of this piece of furniture. An important role is played by the strength of the countertop. It must withstand heavy loads and physical impact. In this regard, the foundation on which it is installed must also be strong.

An example of using putty on wood, which will help fix all the bumps in the old countertop

Note! Kitchen tables are not only a place to work, but also used to store kitchen utensils. To do this, they have built-in drawers, shelves and doors. They should be given special attention.

If the table is equipped with shelves, then you should pay attention to their fasteners. If necessary, in a furniture store you can purchase special caps made of wood or plastic, and a thin, durable metal corner can also be used as a shelf mount. Pay attention to the condition of the canopies with which the door is attached. It is best to replace them with new ones, since with frequent use this part lends itself to the greatest wear.

The freshness of natural wood is given by special polishing agents that can be found in any hardware or furniture store.

If the table is equipped with drawers, then check how firmly their walls and bottom are connected. To facilitate their use, you can replace the fittings with which the drawers are pulled out. You can buy it at a furniture store. You can also purchase various types of comfortable handles.

Advice! When replacing canopies, choose those that are designed for furniture. They will provide more convenient and reliable operation of the doors.

When repairing a desk, you should pay attention to all of the above. After watching a detailed master class on reworking old furniture with your own hands, you can repeat it yourself.

Repair of cabinets and bedside tables

Each house has furniture that is designed for storage. As a rule, these are different types and sizes of cabinets and cabinets. They can be different in height, depth, spaciousness. Moreover, each of them can become a real decoration of your apartment. To do this, see how to restore old furniture with your own hands further.

A rather extravagant and extraordinary element of the interior - a bedside table from an old suitcase

First of all, it is worth inspecting all the fastenings of the shelves and, if necessary, replace them with new ones. You can also replace the drawer mounts with more functional and modern ones.

Depending on the size, the methods of fastening the doors may vary. Sheds are used at cabinets and small cabinets. They wear out quickly, so when carrying out repairs, it is best to replace them with new ones.

If you are remodeling a large wardrobe and it has movable doors, then over time its fittings may also wear out. In a furniture store, you can find special fasteners for sliding wardrobe doors.

How impressive the restored old furniture looks in this case, see the photo below.

Chair repair

It is hard to imagine any home without chairs. Today it is so commonplace that few people pay attention to it. This can happen in two cases - either with the proper design of the chair as an interior item, or if it breaks. We will consider how to come from the second option to the first.

The option of restoring old chairs with vintage-style covers

The chair consists of three main elements:

• legs;
• seats;
• backs.

All of them can fail sooner or later. If the legs are the cause of the breakage, then they must be firmly fixed, otherwise the use of the chair becomes dangerous. If the seat is broken, then it can be replaced by cutting out the appropriate piece from plywood or fiberboard. The same can be done with the back. Also, if desired, the chair can be made soft. To do this, soft foam-based upholstery must be attached to the seat and backrest.

Advice! If you decide to install or replace the upholstery on a chair, it is best to use fabric stitched to the foam. You can find one in a textile store, and it is worth fixing it with a construction stapler.

Old furniture: photo design options using painting

As you know, any piece of furniture should be not only functional, but also attractive. Therefore, when old furniture is updated, the photo of which you can see below, it is necessary to break the work into several stages. The first step is surface preparation.

It is necessary to clean the furniture from traces of old paint, varnish, as well as dirt. After that, it is necessary to putty the cracks, if any, and then apply a primer. Next, you can apply the foundation. To do this, you need to choose the paint of the appropriate color.

New life of the frame of an old bed made of natural wood - painting in delicate turquoise

Advice! It is best to use water-based acrylic paint. It does not contain toxic substances, does not emit a strong odor and dries quickly. This gives the surface a glossy finish. But if you are good at using an aerosol can, then it will do.

decoration

Restoration of old furniture, photos of which are presented below, includes decor. You can use different techniques and combine them. The most common is decoupage. For this you will need the following:

• the desired image printed on paper;
• PVA glue;
• brush for glue;
• varnish, preferably water-based acrylic;
• brush for applying varnish.

Decoupage is a fascinating activity, and furniture made using this technique looks very gentle and unusual.

Advice! It is best to use large colored napkins with appropriate motifs as an image.

Lubricate the surface with glue, gently attach and smooth the picture. Let everything dry a little, then open it with varnish. It is worth noting that there is no doubt about the effectiveness of using this method during the restoration of old furniture with your own hands.

Another no less interesting method of decorating is applying patterns using lace. For this you will need:

• lace;
• paint of the corresponding color;
• Scotch.

Take a piece of lace and attach it to the place you plan to decorate. Secure the ends with tape. It is advisable to cover the rest of the area with paper or film. Apply paint with a brush or use aerosol cans. Let the product dry. Remove tape, paper and lace.

Advice! If you want to decorate a large area, then it is best to use a piece of guipure of the appropriate size.

Both of the above methods are quite effective. Instead of lace and guipure, you can use paper templates. As a rule, often when decoupage and restoration of old furniture, wallpaper left after repair is used.

Padding of upholstered furniture

Over time, the upholstery of sofas and armchairs not only loses its attractive appearance, but can also sag a lot, become not as soft as before. But if you don’t want to throw away your favorite piece of furniture or don’t have the money to buy a new one, you can do the upholstery at home.

Refurbished shabby chic dining room

A detailed master class on how to remake furniture with your own hands, and photo examples are presented on our website. You need to purchase the appropriate fabric from which the new upholstery will be made. It could be:

• barakan;
• velours;
• leatherette;
• crepe;
• alcantara;
• leather, etc.

The choice of material for upholstery depends on your financial capabilities. You can buy it both in a textile and in a specialized furniture store. You will also need a construction stapler and staples for it.

It is best to get rid of old upholstery. It can be fixed with glue. In this case, you will need a construction knife or (if stapler brackets are attached) you will need to use a flathead screwdriver. After removing the old cover, begin to install a new one.

A small master class on replacing the upholstery of an old pouffe

Cut off the required piece of upholstery, attach it so that the edges go to the place where the old one ends, and attach with a stapler. You can carry out such manipulations both with the soft part, and with the back and the former.

If upholstered furniture has lost its volume and softness, they can be returned by replacing the foam rubber. It is necessary to fix it with the help of special small carnations. If you are afraid that such manipulations are beyond your power, then you can stick foam rubber over the old upholstery and fit it with a new one. But it should be borne in mind that the furniture should not lose its functionality.

We give new volume to the seat of an old chair

You can give any volume to your product. To do this, you need to choose foam rubber of the appropriate thickness. If there is a folding mechanism, then after the constriction it should function as before.

Advice! If you need to replace the upholstery and renew its volume, it is advisable to use fabric stitched to the foam. You can purchase it at a specialized store or stitch both materials yourself.

Upholstered furniture upholstery decoration

If you change both layers of upholstery, you can apply different types of decoration options that will give your furniture a more aesthetic look. There are many ways to do this. We will look at the two most common:

1. The fabric used for the upholstery can be sewn on with patterned seams. This will create a special decorative effect.
2. Purchase buttons or textile clips and use them to tighten the fabric and foam rubber, connecting them together.

Renovation of upholstered furniture with a cover

A more economical and easier way to hide stains is to sew covers. To do this, you can choose any fabric you like. It is important that it is durable. The most commonly used for this purpose are:

• barakan;
• velours;
• velvet;
• jeans
• coarse calico;
• other.

After taking measurements according to the size of the sofa, you can sew a cover that will cover the back, seat and, if necessary, the former of your sofa.

A small master class on sewing a removable cover for a pouffe

When making a cover, you can use various decor techniques. You can place embroidery in a certain place. If desired, you can sew an application. To do this, fragments of the pattern are cut out of pieces of fabric and sewn to the base, forming a single picture.

You can also use the currently popular patchwork - the art of making products from patchwork. In this case, you can use pieces of old unnecessary things to make a cover.

We update the past with plywood

Scuffs, stains and even broken upholstery on the former can be hidden with a special lining. To make it you will need:

• plywood;
• small metal corners;
• the smallest furniture screws.

You can cut plywood yourself or seek help from specialists where you will purchase it. You will need 5 pieces according to the size of your bull. The overlay should cover its outer, inner, back, front and top parts. After taking measurements, simply make 5 corresponding rectangles and fasten them from the inside of the structure using corners and self-tapping screws.

Further, it is enough just to put the design on the former. It can not only serve as a decor, but also be quite functional. You can use the overlay as a mini table. If necessary, apply paint or decorate it in any way convenient for you.

Advice! After making the plywood lining, sand it on both sides with sandpaper.

In modern life, nothing stands still. Tastes, preferences, home interiors are changing. Therefore, often after the repair is completed, the main question becomes what to do with old furniture, especially cabinets.

You can, of course, purchase a new model of a chic wardrobe that would harmoniously fit into the new design of the room, but if the previous version of the design is made of high-quality material or natural wood, you should not rush to throw it away. It is quite possible to give such furniture a chance for a new life, for this you just need to be patient and learn how to update an old cabinet with decorations.

Today, there are many ways to upgrade items. It can be painting, painting, decoupage or a sticker of a film that imitates various materials. Each of the restoration methods will not require large material costs.

Thanks to such modern finishing technologies, the cabinet will acquire an original look, and decorating with an ornament or pattern will allow you to install the structure in any room. It should be noted that everyone can try himself as an independent designer, choosing the type of design and color scheme to his taste.

Benefits of manual design

New furniture is always fashionable, beautiful and prestigious. It can be purchased both in finished form and made to order. But recently, most of the owners of the house prefer to pick up paints, brushes and start creating individual masterpieces from old furniture models. And this is not in vain, as there are many reasons not to throw outdated cabinets in the landfill.

Self-restoration has many advantages, these are:

• Stylish. The main reason for replacing furniture is its inconsistency with the new style. So, for example, if the room is decorated in the direction of country or Provence, then even a new purchased wardrobe will have to be “customized” to the general appearance of the room. Therefore, thanks to the hand-made style, the cabinet in use will not yield to an expensive novelty from the store.

• Fashionable. Recently, it has become popular not only to be the owner of restored furniture, but also to be able to transform old items with your own hands. Using your creative imagination, you can make a real work of art out of unnecessary "junk".
• Exclusively. As a rule, all models of cabinets are mass-produced, so there are often hundreds of similar analogues in stores. But if the structure is restored independently, then it will be in one copy. In addition, cabinets can be decorated with an original technique in the form of a palette fusion. After styling the furniture in a suitable color, the interior of the room is either bright or neutral, it all depends on personal tastes.
• economically. You can't buy a new cabinet for free. As for the updated type of design, it will be affordable and economical. For example, to purchase a can of paint, a roll of sandpaper and accessories, you need some money. In addition, restoration is considered a great way to relax.

How and what to decorate

Over time, all cabinets lose their original appearance and become irrelevant for housing design. But don't throw them away right away. It is quite possible to give such outdated models aesthetics and originality. In order to decorate furniture at home, it is enough to be patient and purchase the necessary materials.

In modern decoration, the following types of restoration are distinguished:

• Painting. This is the most efficient and simple solution. It is possible to update the cabinet by painting in various ways, using not only a chic palette, but also many options for applying paint. In order for the cabinet to be transformed, it is enough to cover it completely with one color or to update only certain parts: sides, doors, drawers, handles. Ombre-colored designs look unusual when dull shades of colors smoothly turn into a rich tone.

For this type of finish, as a rule, acrylic solutions are used, they do not leave a smell, they are easily mixed and washed off.

• Stickers and stencils. Thanks to a simple set of items, you can create a beautiful decor yourself, without having the ability of an artist. Sophisticated floral arrangements, geometric shapes will quickly transfer to the surface of the furniture and help it fit into the modern design of the house. Decor elements are applied both to a simply prepared surface and to a pre-painted background. The lines on the cabinets are created with adhesive tape.

• Wallpaper restoration. At the end of the repair in the house, there is no need to rush to throw away the remnants of wallpaper, as they will be an excellent material for restoring an old cabinet, hiding its many shortcomings. Paper clippings are applied to the painted surface. They can be placed both on the outer parts of the structure and inside on the shelves.

To ensure that the appearance of the furniture remains unchanged for a long time, it is recommended to additionally cover the finished product with a transparent varnish.

• Decoupage. It is an unusual type of design, in which the pattern on the cabinet smoothly merges with its surface, the decoupage of doors with napkins looks especially beautiful. For decoration, the simplest napkins with a pattern are suitable. In this case, the composition can turn out to be contrasting, clear or with gaps. This method of decoration is often chosen for a wardrobe and a furniture wall, but if there is an outdated model of a chest of drawers in the room, then it can also be updated.

During the application of napkins, it is important to ensure that wrinkles and bubbles do not form, and upon completion of work, the furniture is covered with a protective layer of varnish.

• Textile. To give a second "breath" to the closet, fabric is also often used in the finishing process. For lovers of everything stylish and fashionable, designers advise choosing lace decoration. It is worth noting that each type of matter will correspond to a certain design style. For example, silk is used for a more sophisticated interior, and linen is useful for Provence. The fabric is glued to the surface of the cabinet with PVA glue.

• Mosaic. This type of decor looks aesthetically pleasing and bright, suitable for art deco style. Broken multi-colored glass, ceramics are used as the main material for restoration, sometimes the cabinet is decorated with a mirror. Particles for the future drawing are glued to the cabinet with ordinary glue.

• Gilding. The furniture is covered with "golden" foil and fixed with varnish.

• Aging. If the room looks in Provence style, then the furniture should be quite “old”. In design, this is considered a special art direction, in which the cabinet gets an antique vintage look. Wooden structures look especially special, painted with a facade, using a dry brush. If you want to create more noticeable reliefs on the surface of the cabinet, you can first cover it with acrylic, and then “walk” with a regular sponge moistened with glaze.

• Photo restoration. Application of a film with a photo print.

How to repaint the product

The unpresentable appearance of an old cabinet can be really fixed by repainting. At the same time, the furniture will not only become “fresh”, but also original. It is this type of restoration that is considered the most popular, as it opens up many ideas that make dreams come true. In order for the update process to proceed correctly, you must complete the following steps:

• Training. The surface of the wooden cabinet should be well leveled and sanded. This also applies to structures made of chipboard. To do this, a thin layer of putty and primer is applied. Thus, on the tree it will be possible to hide all visible defects in the form of chips and cracks. After that, the furniture is carefully polished.

• Coloring. Selected color and brushes. Often, a special spray tool is also used to apply paint. It evenly distributes the color tone under pressure and makes the work neat. It is worth noting that the paint should be applied evenly in several layers, so the cabinet will get a rich tone and the result of the restoration will last for a long time. After the paint is completely dry, it can be additionally opened with a glossy or shiny varnish.

If you want to get an antique cabinet model, you can use color tinting for wood. Prior to this, the wooden structure is carefully cleaned, puttied and opened with a colored solution.

DIY glass decor at home

In many houses you can find a wardrobe with glass doors. It is considered an excellent item for home design, as glass is a decorative element that is easy to work with.

To date, there are two popular ways to finish it:

• technique of painting with liquid glass;
• decoration without the use of paints.

In addition, masters often use a combination of glass with metal, polymer clay, plasticine and other materials. In order to make the glass look unusual, you will need to prepare sea salt, unground coffee beans, glue, acrylic paints. The coffee beans are typically glued either in a predetermined order or randomly. It is preferable to apply the composition to the bottom and top of the glass.

Cabinet doors will also look stylish if they are decorated with sea salt. To do this, the outer part of the glass is covered with glue, and then salt is applied and waited for complete drying.

So that during operation such a decoration does not lose its attractiveness, it is fixed with liquid glass or transparent varnish.

No less original decorate glass with plasticine. Before starting the design, you will need to draw pattern templates, choose its color. Then a picture is formed from different shades of plasticine. Such a decoration will fit well into the interior of children's rooms, it will help to unusually complement the marine theme, where sea salt will turn into drops of water, plasticine into fish and algae, and shells will serve as the seabed.

As for the finishing with broken glass, it is considered a real masterpiece and will decorate the doors of any cabinet. Broken fragments of the material are glued with a special glue.

Before applying patterns, you will need to prepare glue, broken glass and acrylic paints, while the order of applying decoration elements is thought out in advance. First of all, the work surface is covered with a thin layer of glue, particles of decor are fixed and they are completely dry. Then the resulting ornament can be painted with acrylics and varnished.

Today, many people have old furniture at home. It seems to be a pity to throw it away, but it also spoils the view. In reality, a simple restoration is needed. How to do it? Let's find out in this article.

Work process

Let's say we have this closet. After the update, it will stand in the hallway. It can be said to welcome guests. First you need to remove everything that you can. This is primarily a door. The mezzanine should be at the bottom. It will be convenient to store shoes here. Bars are placed under it along the edges, which are screwed with self-tapping screws.

The cabinet on top must be divided with a partition. Usually any board of the appropriate size will do.

On one side, put a crossbar. It is perfect for coats and other clothes. On the other hand, you need to put 2-3 shelves. Boards will do again.

In this photo you can see the switch. But for him it is possible to simply cut a small hole.

The bottom of the furniture became the top. Here you can store umbrellas and hats. As a rule, old furniture is not very attractive. But this is easy to change. All you have to do is paint it white. It is practically universal. Such a miniature mezzanine will fit perfectly into the distance that exists between the main cabinet and the wall. Self-tapping screws and corners are used for fastening.

First, sand the entire surface. Everything is covered with putty before painting. Cover everything thoroughly with paint. Then treat the surface with varnish for durability.

Doors are painted in the same color. You can use patterns from an old cabinet. Just be sure to treat them with gold paint.

Due to the fact that the doors from another cabinet turned out to be small, I had to use a special insert. There are many decorative solutions. But you can additionally screw the handles you like.

Shelves can be pasted over with a film, and the rest can be treated with acrylic enamel, which is odorless. On the left side, you can make a special decorative cutout. Look how great it looks.

As you can see, such a restoration is quite simple to carry out. This does not require a lot of money and time. Almost anyone can do this. So you can process almost any furniture. Naturally, you can make some adjustments of your own. Just use your imagination.

There comes a time when the furniture ceases to harmonize with the design of the room. The cupboard becomes a tasteless box, disturbs you. Tired furniture can be replaced or given a new style.

There are several simple techniques that allow you to update an old wardrobe with your own hands. We will tell you how to repair vintage furniture or create an original piece of furniture from it.

Wrapping or stickers

To make an outdated chiffonier fit into the updated design of the room, add ornate flower patterns. An unusual geometric pattern created with self-adhesive film will breathe new life into old-fashioned furniture.

They are:

• standard: matte or glossy surface with a variety of patterns and colors;
• furniture for the facade, with a touch of wood or metal.

Step-by-step instructions for working with self-adhesive film:

1. Prepare the facade: remove dust and stains with water and chemicals.
2. Level the surface with plaster and primer.
3. Mark the self-adhesive film from the inside in advance, not forgetting to take into account the allowances.
4. Remove the protective layer from the inside by 2-4 centimeters.
5. Stick sticky surface to cabinet
6. Using a rag and spatula, smooth out the sticker.
7. Carefully peel off the protective paper.

Beautiful pictures will create a positive atmosphere in the room.

Watch for bubbles. To avoid their occurrence, attach the sticker carefully, straightening the film.

On a note. If the bubbles that appear do not smooth out, pierce them with a needle.

Photo printing and photo wallpapers

The technique is suitable for the restoration of a kitchen cabinet or sideboard. Wall mural can be bought in the construction department or contact the printing house.

Print Centers will help:

• enlarge the image without losing the quality of the picture;
• make a collage of several photos or pictures;
• to apply the image on a film for gluing on a specific type of surface.

Toning

Decorate boring furniture can change the color of the facades. Instructions for tinting a wardrobe:

1. Clean the surface of dust with a dry cloth.
2. Also treat the inner walls with an antiseptic (vinegar will do). It will get rid of the musty smell.
3. Use wood putty to eliminate defects. The color must match the details.
4. After the composition dries, sand the treated areas with sandpaper.
5. Coat the closet with a structuring wood stain. It should be darker than the color of the furniture.

The tinting technique is suitable for decorating a closet in the bathroom, in the kitchen or in the hallway.

Remember that this method is only suitable for natural wood surfaces.

Slate surface of doors

This decoration is becoming very popular. Slate doors are in vogue, on which you can write or draw.

Before and After - the transformation of an ancient chest of drawers

There are 3 ways:

• Sticking of a slate film to a door or a facade.
• Buying a finished board.
• Covering the door or inner wall with special paint.

Painting technique:

1. Sand out bumps and scratches.
2. Apply primer in two coats.
3. Using a roller, treat the surface with slate or chalk paint.
4. After drying, apply a second layer.

A cupboard or sideboard will shine in a new way.

Mosaic decoration

Decorating with various small details will help create an art deco atmosphere. Finishing base:

• pieces of colored glass;
• ceramics;
• shells;
• beads;
• sea ​​pebbles;
• artificial flowers.

You can attach the elements to the cabinet with colorless rubber-based glue.

Expert opinion

Victoria Chernikova

Decorator

Before starting work, draw a sketch of the future composition. Arrange the elements on a flat surface to present a visual image. So the drawing will turn out neat.

Mosaic decor will add brightness and elegance to the interior. This design is suitable for any closet, if the style of the furniture matches the design of the room.

Aging

Cabinets painted with a dry brush will look elegant, which leaves behind only a part of the paint, creating the effect of the impact of time (only for wooden furniture).

Artificial aging method:

• Paint the surface a color that is a few shades darker than the original. Choose a shade according to the color scheme of the room.
• Wax some areas. You can use a regular candle.
• Paint the closet a light shade such as cream or beige.
• Wipe the surface with sandpaper, so scuffs will appear.

An easy way to give an antique look to a cabinet is craquelure. The varnish of the same name is applied to the surface. After drying, small cracks appear on the facade paint.

Kitchen drawers are aged with craquelure

Decoupage

The peculiarity of this design is a smooth transition from the picture to the color of the cabinet.
Use patterned napkins as materials for decoupage, so you create the feeling of painting on furniture. The composition can turn out to be clear, with watercolor gaps.

For cabinetry:

1. cut out the image or use the whole napkin;
2. divide it into layers;
3. paste the picture;
4. cover the dried surface with varnish.

Decorative rivets

To add brutality to old furniture, you can attach metal parts to the cabinet. For lovers of loft design or steep punk, it is recommended to decorate the doors and the facade of the cabinet with rivets or nails with decorative hats. With such accents, even standard IKEA furniture will look like a pirate treasure chest or a cabin on a ship.

Glue the metal parts to the facades. If the surface is upholstered in leather or thick fabric, nails will be required to securely attach everything. Combine metal fittings with other decorating methods (paint or fabric) for a personal touch.

Inlay

This is not gemstone decoration, but furniture decoration with overhead elements:

• vinyl napkins;
• embroidery;
• lace.