Refurbishing old furniture. New life for your favorite things

Soviet-era furniture - walls, cabinets, chests of drawers - does not differ in beauty, but is reliable and strong. Well, it's just that the hand does not rise to take it to the landfill. And rightly so. It is very easy to update it, giving it a completely new sound and a modern look. Alteration of cabinet-type furniture may not be very difficult: there are materials that allow you to significantly change the appearance with little effort. The easiest way is to change the color and accessories. With fittings, everything is clear - choose what is more suitable for the style, and the color changes in two ways - paint and glue the film (or wallpaper).

Alteration of the old wall: changing the design

Pasting old furniture with self-adhesive film is the easiest way to change the decor. The film is today both monophonic and color, different colors, textures and shades. It does not make sense to glue a film with a wood pattern: otherwise it is in trend today. But plain or with a pattern - this is what can turn an old wall into new furniture. The actions are simple, but the work requires accuracy. But the result is excellent. See two photos. On the first one there is an old Soviet wall from before the renovation, on the second - after.

Updating an old furniture wall - before and after

Now about how it was updated. A compacted self-adhesive furniture film was used, cream color, matte surface. The open part of the old wall was closed with glass doors, a translucent matte film was taken for the glass. Edging - furniture layout (also self-adhesive) color chrome. The order of work is as follows:

• Everything that can be removed, removed, disassembled. Remove old hardware.
• Surfaces must be clean and free of grease. This is easier to achieve with a soft cloth dipped in dish detergent. Then everything is washed off with warm water with a little vinegar. Wipe clean with a dry cloth.
• Cut out the details. It is better to cut the film 8-10 mm more. The rest is then cut off with a paper cutter.
• Spray the part to be glued with water from a spray bottle. On a wet surface, the film can be moved if something goes wrong. You can even peel it off without damaging it.
• After removing the protective layer from the film, carefully lay it out. Having aligned, begin to smooth with a soft cloth from the middle to the edges. Try not to have bubbles. To do this, you need to move gradually, without jumping from place to place.
• If there is still a bubble, it can be pierced with a thin needle approximately in the middle. Then expel air from the edges of the bubble to the hole and wipe the puncture site.
• After gluing the film, we take a clean thin cotton fabric, spread it on top and iron it with a warm iron (medium heat).
• We glue the trim, install new handles.

Such a sequence of work with every detail. With glass, everything is the same, only you need to glue it on the inner surface. After assembly, you have an updated wall. This technique can be used for any item: chest of drawers, bedside tables, wardrobe, etc.

For example, after a successful experiment with the wall, they redid the old cabinet in the same way and added it to the right. Now the whole wall is occupied. In the same way, you can update the kitchen set: stick a self-adhesive film and replace the handles.

There is a second way. It is a modification of the proposed method, but simpler and less laborious. Only the doors are pasted over and not with a film, but with non-woven wallpaper. Wallpaper is glued to PVA glue. To prevent the edges from bulging, the parts are cut 5 mm less on all sides. It turns out a kind of edging. Everything looks good (example in the photo below).

What is good about this method: it is easy to change the decor. Tired of the old appearance, cut off the wallpaper, pasted new ones. Despite the fact that the method seems frivolous, the appearance persists for several years. Its author even tried it on a kitchen set. Only the wallpaper on top is covered twice with PVA glue. In this case, the lockers can be washed. It is important to apply a layer of varnish evenly, without sagging, there are no other difficulties.

Sometimes the wallpaper is varnished. But before you do it, try it on an unnecessary piece: see how they react to it.

When choosing a varnish, you need to remember that acrylic and cellulose varnishes remain transparent after drying, polyurethane turns yellow after a while. Also, polyurethane is almost not softened by solvents: it can only be removed mechanically (from wood it is cleaned with sandpaper).

Dresser update

The old chest of drawers stood for who knows how many years in the attic, but it is very strong and reliable, not a single gram of cracked, only the polishing cracked. In terms of strength, it far exceeds modern products. This is the feature that is inherent in the old, still Soviet times, furniture. It is not very detailed (to put it mildly), but after standing for several decades in poor conditions, it remains strong. The makeover of the chest of drawers is more complicated: two techniques were used: painting, and then decorating with polyurethane moldings and wallpaper.

Step 1. We remove the accessories, remove the old coating. In some places the polishing was scraped off, in some places it was polished with sandpaper. Chips were covered with putty on wood, waited until it dries. At the final stage, everything was cleaned with a sandpaper with a fine grain. At the same time, the chest of drawers became the same as in the photo below.

This is after it has been puttied and smoothed with sandpaper.

Step 2. Installation of polyurethane moldings. When choosing moldings, make sure that they are not voluminous: too thick on a small chest of drawers will look very rough. They should be no wider than 5 cm and as narrow as possible when viewed from a profile.

Purchased polyurethane moldings are neatly cut, the corners are sawn down at 45 °. (). The pattern match must be perfect. We glue them on PVA. For reliability, you can additionally fix it on self-tapping screws with wide caps. A small recess is made under them, after the screw is screwed in, the hole is covered with putty. Try to ensure that the putty immediately lays down perfectly (you can touch it up with a wet finger), since it is problematic to clean off the dried one.

Moldings are glued and put on self-tapping screws

Step 3 Everything is treated with a primer. You can use PVA glue diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 2. After the primer dries, paint (two layers). For this case, water-based acrylic paint was chosen. The color is coffee with milk, although it looks very different in the photo. Color rendering is inaccurate.

This is after the second application of paint. pretty

Step 4 For decoration, wallpaper was chosen, in which the coating is made using the silk-screen printing technique. Pieces are cut according to the size of the inside of the frames from the moldings, glued to the PVA. After the glue dries, the entire chest of drawers is coated twice with a water-based varnish.

Step 5 And the last to install new legs (furniture wheels) and handles.

We install handles and legs)) The updated chest of drawers is not at all like the one you saw in the first photo.

As you can see, there are no difficult jobs. Everything is really elementary. But all processes require accuracy - the appearance depends on it. In the same way, you can update the old wardrobe. Get a set for the room. Stylish and original.

When updating furniture, the worst thing is if the surface is varnished. The polish takes a long time to peel off. If the surface is smooth and polishing is not damaged, you can apply a primer for difficult surfaces on it, and paint after drying. This greatly speeds up the process of painting lacquered furniture.

If you have kids and a dacha or yard, you might be interested in reading with lots of photos. And about

How to update an old nightstand

In the photo gallery below you can see the restoration process of an old polished nightstand. First, the old polishing was removed from it, puttied, sanded, and after processing it was painted twice with acrylic paint. Then paper with an interesting pattern was glued to the doors (it was a gift paper bag). After drying, everything together was covered with two layers of semi-gloss acrylic varnish.

The sequence of work is simple if you know how to do it. All processes will repeat the sequence of actions that you saw in the example of updating the chest of drawers. The result is also impressive.

Remaking furniture with your own hands is a painstaking task, but the result is worth it. Below is a photo of a bedside table restored using a simple technique: it is pasted over with embossed wallpaper, and varnish is applied twice on top.

Table makeover

Using the same technology, a banal coffee table can be turned into a modern piece of furniture. In this case, it was pasted over with wrapping paper. It is dense, sticks well and does not sag when applying varnish.

Before starting work on decorating the tabletop, the legs of the old table and the edges of the tabletop were painted in a light color: this way it suits the new design style more. Then began the process of its transformation.

When pasting, the panel is cut out much larger than the dimensions of the tabletop. So it is necessary. Paper is glued on PVA, rolled with a roller so that there are no lumps and swellings. The surface must be absolutely smooth.

After pasting, take sandpaper with fine grain (it is more convenient to work if it is attached to a bar). Passing it along the edge, they bend and at the same time separate the excess paper.

Even cutting on a guillotine you will not get a fairly even edge. And with this method, it turns out to be designed professionally. Do-it-yourself and does not smell.

After the glue has dried, the surface is covered twice with a thin layer of varnish. It should be applied with a soft brush in a small amount. Layers are applied in different directions: first along the long side, then across.

Alteration of furniture: photo ideas

Remaking furniture with your own hands is a creative business. Even a boring one can be made into a great thing. And it is not necessary to repeat exactly what you saw. Many useful ideas come during the execution of a "project". The only pity is that some of the plans are not as attractive as it seemed. Try, experiment. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to do this at minimal cost.

Have you decided to make repairs, change the interior, purchase furniture that will match the updated design? But it happens that it is a pity to throw away old furniture, because it is still quite strong, it can last a long time. Yes, and each piece of furniture keeps its memories, family traditions. It’s just that a hand will not rise to take such things to a landfill. But both in the landfill and in the sales markets, you can see furniture that could still serve and serve. Designers are looking for this “treasure”, they make real masterpieces.

But it happens that it is a pity to throw away old furniture, because it is still quite strong, it can last a long time.

Do you want to change the situation, bring original ideas to the interior, so that the old furniture will sparkle with new colors? You will bring your ideas to life, create magnificent things.

Yes, and each piece of furniture keeps its memories, family traditions.

The furniture of the old times had the main advantage - it was very strong, durable, it was made from natural wood. Using all your imagination, you yourself will decide how best to use certain parts from the headsets, what new purpose the table, chair, chest of drawers, etc. will have.

It’s just that a hand will not rise to take such things to a landfill.

You think it's hard to do. In fact, everything is not so difficult. Read the relevant literature, look on the Internet, talk with friends, acquaintances who are fond of this business. You will give things a unique look. There are many materials and ways in which you can remake furniture with your own hands. You can save a significant amount of money by restoring interior items than by purchasing new furniture.

Use a huge number of ideas, methods, how to reconstruct outdated furniture.

Before you begin, decide which restoration method to choose. Get the right ingredients. Remember, in this case diligence, endurance, a serious approach are needed. Maybe this will motivate you to start your own business. You will delight not only relatives, friends and acquaintances with amazing things, but also fulfill orders.

The furniture of the old times had the main advantage - it was very strong, durable, it was made from natural wood.

Living room, office

The most important room in the house is considered to be the living room. Actually, here we mostly spend time, relax, meet friends, gather with the whole family. If you decide to make repairs or change the interior, take the matter seriously. The environment should be comfortable, multifunctional. If desired, set aside a place for a study. At first glance, this seems to be impossible, because the rooms are small and it is difficult to allocate space for an office. If you work from home, you need nothing to distract from work, the conditions correspond to a fruitful, even atmosphere. Designers advise to fence off the work area.

You will give things a unique look.

To do this, use partitions. They can serve as shelving. In order not to spend significant amounts to purchase furniture for the workplace, use old interior items. You can reconstruct them:

• repaint;
• paste over with wallpaper or self-adhesive film;
• change accessories;
• decorate with various objects, attributes;
• arrange books, indoor flowers.

You can save a significant amount of money by restoring interior items than by purchasing new furniture.

So that the furniture does not take up much space, it can be converted into a transformer, made on wheels. It is compact, easy to move, fold and unfold. The converted furniture will perfectly match the overall atmosphere in the room.

You will delight not only relatives, friends and acquaintances with amazing things, but also fulfill orders.

In a small living room, it is important to save more space. Therefore, it is better to use a table-shelf for a study. It will be more suitable for the general environment. Convert old furniture into wall shelves, racks, bedside tables, where you will store everything you need for work.

Many houses have old chairs.

colorful chair

Many houses have old chairs. They are worn out, the upholstery has fallen into disrepair, do not rush to get rid of them. They can be restored, and they will last for a long time. By changing their texture, you will return the former beauty. Now there are many varieties for restoration, be smart.

Now there are many varieties for restoration, be smart.

The first step is to remove the old coating. If the seat is soft, then it is also removed. Then sandpaper, the grain size can be any, the surface is treated. How you sand will determine how far the other coating will go. The work will be a little easier if the surface is wetted. Usually, from such a procedure, the old coating turns out to be viscous. Let the chair dry and go over it again with fine grit sandpaper.

Thinking about varnishing a chair? It is better to use a colorless primer. You can’t do without it, even if you want to paint the chair. This allows the coating to last longer and apply better. The varnish must be applied in two layers. The first coat must dry before the second coat.

If the seat is soft, then it is also removed.

It has become popular to paint the furniture white, and the seat is draped in contrasting colors. Many options are provided.

• The chair will look unique if you use a stencil for decoration. Drawing can be the most diverse.
• Upholstery and foam are completely replaceable. Any fabric will do, fixed with a stapler.
• Another option is to make a cover. The coating will hide the flaws and disadvantages without major alteration.
• You can decorate the cover in different ways - to your taste and color.
• Needlewomen can knit or crochet the original upholstery.

Use obsolete things in a new way. Show your imagination to the fullest.

Use obsolete things in a new way. Show your imagination to the fullest. Here are a few options where you can use old chairs.

Many craftsmen can make a bench, a bedside table, a photo frame, a planter, a hanging shelf, even a dog feeder.

Here, for example, is such a necessary item as a wall hanger. Making it is easy enough. It is necessary to separate the back from the chair, paint or decorate, attach hooks and hang it on the wall. Favorite rocking chair that everyone wants to have, but not many have. It is easy to make, just make semicircular crossbars and attach to a chair.

An unusual option is a crib for a pet. First you need to build a box with a mattress. The filler can be foam rubber. The back of the chair will serve as the headboard, and the legs will serve as the base. From them it will turn out to assemble a wonderful box for magazines and newspapers.

Have you decided to make repairs, change the interior, purchase furniture that will match the updated design?

Do you like rustic furnishings? Towel holders fit perfectly here. They are made from the backs of chairs, they are made quite simply, they will look stylish in the kitchen or in the bathroom.

Designers are looking for this “treasure”, they make real masterpieces.

If the frame is strong, and the legs have become unusable, then the chair can become, to the delight of the kids, a swing. First, the furniture must be carefully processed - sanded, coated with an antifungal solution, painted.

Use a huge number of ideas, methods, how to reconstruct outdated furniture.

Many craftsmen can make a bench, bedside table, photo frame, planter, hanging shelf, even a dog feeder. From the chair you can get an unusual table for storing various accessories.

The furniture of the old times had the main advantage - it was very strong, durable, it was made from natural wood.

light buffet

Before, almost everyone had a buffet. Many have kept it, not wanting to throw out the outdated thing. It adds a certain charm to the atmosphere. The restored sideboard is placed in any room. The main thing is that it matches the interior. Before starting work on the alteration of old furniture, it is necessary to assess its condition and eliminate flaws. Then we clean it - remove the old coating with sandpaper or a tool designed for this, grind and paint. It is important not to forget that before any painting the surface must be primed.

Now light colors are in fashion, but you can give the furniture a bright shade or paint it in a neutral color, apply a pattern, paste over with wallpaper, gift paper, film. Use new hardware. If you like to draw, put some image on the doors. Not enough patience, stick stickers, and cover the surface with a transparent varnish. If the sideboard is wooden, it is better to use varnish for painting. You will get a unique thing, it will last a long time.

Before starting work on the alteration of old furniture, it is necessary to assess its condition and eliminate flaws.

How to update an old nightstand

A Soviet-era bedside table is a valuable thing. It is so strong, it can last more than one year. But her appearance leaves much to be desired. From such a thing you can create a newfangled object.

If you like to draw, put some image on the doors.

You will need the following materials:

• self-adhesive film;
• putty;
• acetone;
• dye.

You will get a unique thing, it will last a long time.

We look for defects, cracks, and other flaws on the nightstand. We wipe dust, remove pollution. We dismantle parts, process with sandpaper. Putty the damaged areas, let dry, sand the surface again. Be sure to degrease with acetone. The next step is film wrapping. We prepare a piece of the required size, plus 3-4 cm. We apply it to the plane, detach the substrate from above and carefully glue it. So we glue the entire surface of the bedside table. Next, we repair the decoration elements, attach them to the furniture, change the fittings, and assemble the parts.

Instead of a film, you can use wallpaper, gift paper, or just paint.

Features of reworking the wall

We all remember the old Soviet walls that stood in the houses of our grandmothers and mothers. Furniture, unfortunately, dilapidated, there were chips, scratches, cracks. Nowadays, these walls can still be seen in apartments. If they are strong, but outwardly worn out, it is better to remake them in a modern way.

There are many options for reworking furniture with your own hands.

Here are a few options.

1. Pantry. Remove everything that is superfluous, the most necessary will remain. Move the shelves to another place or add a few new ones. Arrange boxes for shoes, containers for linen, change the facade.
2. Wardrobe. We remove the doors, install additional shelves and crossbars for clothes. It's great if the wall is elongated. Then we change all the doors on the compartment door from floor to ceiling, this will help to hide the gaps.
3. Or we divide the wall into parts and install it in other rooms. For example, mezzanines - in the corridor or hallway, a wardrobe - in the bedroom or in the nursery, and a sideboard will make a wonderful library.
4. You don’t want any changes, but the wall needs to be updated, you need to completely disassemble it, removing fasteners and accessories. We clean, remove the old coating. Using the necessary pastes and a primer, we close up cracks, chips, scratches. All dry and sanded. Not satisfied with the color of the wall, repaint, then cover with a matte varnish. After drying, we collect the wall, change the handles, hinges. If you want, put modern doors.

Keep it up and everything will work out!

Turn on your imagination, and your wall will turn into trendy furniture, update the interior of the room.

How can you recycle other items

You can update any old furniture. It is made of high quality wood and will always be in demand. After carrying out the necessary alteration procedures, you will have real works of art in your house. After cleaning, processing, painting, decorating, an old chest of drawers will turn out to be an elegant thing. You can make a sofa out of it, convert it into a table for a mirror. Convert the lower part of the chest of drawers into a place for pets.

It is made of high quality wood and will always be in demand.

From the coffee table you will get a wonderful ottoman, the children's changing table will serve as a unique stand in the country. An old chair can be repainted, upholstered, an original table will come out of a dilapidated door, a cozy bench with shelves will come out of a table for dishes.

You can update any old furniture.

There are many options for reworking furniture with your own hands. All you need is desire, patience, imagination, ingenuity, and with your own hands you will create special things not only for yourself, but also for relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Keep it up and everything will work out!

VIDEO: Second life for old furniture

The times of shortage of furniture are long gone, and today we can buy whatever we want for an apartment and a house to our taste. But until now, many owners of furniture from the era of socialism are trying to repair them, to give them a new life. And this is not from greed or a keen attachment to things. It’s just that such an object as an old chest of drawers may not be rubbish, the place of which is perhaps in the country, but a challenge to one’s own imagination and the ability to create with one’s own hands.

Restoration of an old chest of drawers: pros and cons

The processes of repair and restoration are similar, but have several significant differences. When repairing old furniture, we simply transform it most often: remove peeling paint, sand it, apply a new layer, fasten loosened elements. Restoration is a deeper work that goes far beyond the boundaries of cosmetic repairs. In addition, a restored chest of drawers can become more valuable if it was originally a rather original, exclusive product.

Before you decide to restore an old chest of drawers, conduct a thorough assessment of its value. Inspect the product for tags or stamps indicating the name of the master and the time of manufacture. It may turn out that your chest of drawers is an old piece of furniture art, and by starting to process it, you will lose a truly valuable thing.

An old chest of drawers may be of antique value

Signs of antiquity can be the following:

• sharpening of internal corners as a result of long-term operation of the chest of drawers;
• uneven notch on the fastening screws;
• different distances between the turns of the notch.

The last two signs may indicate that the fasteners were made by hand, and not industrially.

All of the above can be seen with the naked eye. A deeper analysis will be carried out by a specialist whom you invite to evaluate the product. Until the final conclusion, it is not recommended to start restoration or repair work.

Restoration process from start to finish

So, you have decided to restore the old chest of drawers with your own hands. The work will be painstaking, requiring attention and time. Each step is extremely important, so try not to miss anything.

Old chest of drawers in need of restoration

For work you will need:

• putty and glue for wood;
• sandpaper of different grain size in a set;
• a hammer;
• Screwdriver Set;
• rubber mallet;
• gloves and respirator;
• toothpicks, toothbrush;
• a tool for cleaning accessories (tooth powder is suitable);
• brushes;
• paint and varnish.

Product cleaning

An old chest of drawers must be cleaned so that the surfaces and decorative details are not damaged. First, wipe the product with a sponge and soapy water. The water should be warm, but not hot, and as a detergent - household or stain-removing soap without chlorine.

Antique pieces of furniture, especially chests of drawers, are often decorated with small details and carved inserts. A toothbrush will help you clean them well.

Remove the furniture fittings (this will give you access to the surfaces under the parts for better dirt removal) and rub with a cleaner. For example, tooth powder works well for silver.

Clean hard-to-reach places such as crevices and corners with an awl or toothpick. Plaque and ingrained dirt can be removed with fine sandpaper. It should be used very carefully, otherwise the finish may fade as a result of strong pressure.

If you decide to change the color of an old chest of drawers or cover it with a new layer of varnish, the surface must be carefully sanded.

Preliminary preparation

After the old chest of drawers has been washed and dried well, repair or replace the damaged items. Finding suitable parts is likely to be difficult. To do this, it is better to contact an antique shop or a carpentry workshop to order the manufacture of the necessary decor items. You can also get professional help with installation parts there.

Check how well the screws and bolts are tightened, if the wood is cracked. Loose or rusty bolts must be removed and replaced with new ones. Fix small cracks on the surface with wood glue; those that are larger, cover with putty on wood, picking it up strictly in tone. If you plan to subsequently cover the chest of drawers with stain, then use a special putty.

Painting work

Now you rarely see furniture made of natural wood in a wide sale. An old chest of drawers may not match the modern style of your home. Therefore, in addition to a fresh look, this product can be given a new image. The easiest way is to paint it in one color, for example, white.

First of all, remove the old coating from the surface. Do this carefully so as not to damage the wood and leave no traces of the old coating in the cracks and corners.

Thoroughly clean the surfaces of the chest of drawers so that there are no bumps

Now sand the surface to get rid of bumps and minor imperfections.

Sand the surface well

After sanding, proceed to putty. Carefully repair all chips and unnecessary holes. After the putty has dried, rub it with fine-grained sandpaper.

To paint the chest of drawers, use a special paint for wood. It may be necessary to re-sand the surface. To give the chest of drawers a gloss, a layer of varnish can be applied over the paint (naturally, after complete drying).

Replacement of old parts

The old chest of drawers used in our example had iron handles. Of course, they are beautiful and give the furniture an antique look. But unfortunately, some of these pens are hopelessly damaged. The easiest way out is to completely replace them with new ones that are more suitable in style. This is easy to do: drill holes of the desired diameter in suitable places and insert the fittings.

Replace your old dresser handles with new ones for a modern look.

As you can see, the chest of drawers has become completely different: new, modern and exclusive.

New life for old furniture

Decoupage chest of drawers

If pure white is not enough for you to breathe new life into an old chest of drawers, decoupage.

1. Paint the surface with white acrylic paint. Let dry well.
2. Cut out patterns from decorative paper napkins. Stick them on the dresser with PVA glue.
3. After everything is dry, varnish the chest of drawers.

That's all, your chest of drawers sparkled with new colors! Decoupage is good because you can choose any pattern and pattern that your imagination allows.

Master class on decoupage chest of drawers (video)

Another repair option

This method will help you turn an old and boring bulky chest of drawers into a light and elegant piece of furniture. For the transformation, we will take the classic model without any special decorations: three wide drawers and two small ones.

Classic chest of drawers with three large and two small drawers

You will need the following tools and materials:

• means for removing an old layer of varnish or paint;
• sandpaper;
• chisel;
• matte putty;
• PVA glue;
• self-tapping screws;
• polyurethane foam decorative moldings;
• wallpaper;
• paraffin;
• acrylic water-based paint;
• transparent water-based varnish;
• 8 decorative handles.

Training

Unscrew the knobs on the chest of drawers. Examine it carefully from all sides. Pay special attention to the lid and legs: in these places, the wood is usually subject to the greatest damage. If the deficiencies are minor, it is not necessary to eliminate them. But in case of detection of more serious damage, sometimes it is necessary to replace some parts completely.

Free the chest of drawers from the old varnish or paint. The upper layers can be removed with a chisel; they usually come off easily. Carefully rub the remains with emery so that clean wood is visible.

Thoroughly clean the product of old paint and remove accessories

In places where noticeable bumps and dents are found, apply mastic with a spatula and level the layer. After drying, sand these areas with fine-grained sandpaper. Do this carefully, do not press too hard, otherwise you will damage the fresh layer of mastic. As a result, the surface should become perfectly flat.

The new drawer handles you buy may be smaller or larger than the old ones. In this case, you need to seal the holes left from the old handles that you removed with mastic and make new ones in the right places with a drill.

Note! There are handles that are attached to special screws. They do not need to drill holes. If you have the opportunity, purchase such accessories to make your work easier.

Dilute PVA glue with water. Using a brush, treat the entire surface of the chest of drawers. You can replace the glue with any primer. When the surface is completely dry, you can start decorating.

decorative elements

First of all, prepare the main elements of decor - frames for sidewalls and drawers. They can be made from conventional polyurethane moldings. In this work, the main thing is the correct measurements. The frame for the drawer should be located strictly along the edge. On the sidewalls it is better to make a small indent.

Correctly calculate the dimensions of the decorative frames on the boxes

It is also very important to properly trim the corner parts of the molding.

When you have prepared all the details for the frames, proceed to fix them. For greater reliability, fasten the frames with screws, then seal the places where they enter the moldings with mastic so that the hats do not stand out.

Cover with mastic the places where the screws enter the moldings

Now paint the installed frames with acrylic paint. Choose any color that you like or suits the interior of the room. For example, light coffee or beige is well suited for a French-style chest of drawers. Apply the paint in several layers, each time waiting for complete drying.

Paste wallpaper inside the frames. It is good if they have a thick texture and a fancy pattern. The ornament should be darker than the general background. After you finish pasting the wallpaper, carefully screw the handles into place.

For original decor, use wallpaper

The final touch is the coating of the chest of drawers with a transparent varnish. It should be applied in several layers.

Chest of drawers after restoration in the interior of the bedroom

To make the drawers slide out of the grooves easily, grease the wooden parts of the pull-out system with paraffin. Sliding will be greatly facilitated.

How to restore an old chest of drawers (video)

As you can see, turning an old bulky chest of drawers into a completely new and attractive interior element is not at all difficult, although troublesome. But all the difficulties fade before the result of the work. Tell us in the comments about your ideas for restoring and reworking old furniture. Good luck and enjoy your home!

Restoring old furniture with your own hands is a complex process, but very exciting! How to give new life to loved ones armchairs in which they listened to grandmother's tales. How to make an ancient one sparkle with gentle matte highlights dresser, which contains many "precious" masterpieces - pieces of handmade lace, velvet pieces, from which you can sew a ball gown for a doll or make an exclusive lampshade for floor lamp.

Restoration of old furniture: giving new life to wood

Restoring wooden furniture is a process that requires a thrifty approach and a lot of patience. An old tree can be eaten by worms into dust. But if you want to revive a neat little table with a unique marquetry or a bureau with lots of secret departments, try to get creative.

Wooden furniture is quite durable. But before starting the restoration, it is necessary to carefully remove all the boxes, shake off the dust, remove the places beaten with mold with sandpaper. This applies not only to living rooms and bedroom sets. Restoration kitchen furniture- a process that will bring no less pleasure.

Interior in country style today in a special trend. So don't throw your grandmother's closets in the trash. Remove old paint or varnish. Carefully treat the wood with special compounds that protect against insect pests.

doors kitchen cabinets can be painted with paint and slightly blackened, giving a touch of elegant old age. If the wood is valuable, carefully remove the varnish and cover with a new composition. You can bring the old varnish coating back to life if it has not been touched by mold. There is a wonderful recipe: wax! This is a magical remedy that will revive a tree 1-2 centuries old.

Shimmering velvet that caresses the skin

Restoration of upholstered furniture help bring true masterpieces back to life. An old chair can be thrown into the trash because of the velvet worn to holes and protruding springs. But what if you do otherwise?

Carefully remove the old upholstery. Springs will take longer. But if there is no other option but to throw it away, then do it. Replace the inside with soft, thick foam cut from a pattern. Furniture after restoration is no worse, and even better and more comfortable. The covering can be made of brocade or velvet. The main thing is not to fall out of the time frame of history.

This also applies sofas, canape. Restoration takes a special place leather furniture. The inside can also be replaced with porous foam rubber. But the outer coating can not always be left as expensive. If the leather isn't torn, try carefully putting it on the frame. If you have to completely replace the top cover, do not worry. You can not use new fabrics. Try to find an old tapestry or brocade.

Sometimes mirrors are inserted in the backs of the sofa. If the reflective field has not faded and the amalgam layer is not significantly scratched, simply refresh frame around the mirror. If you need to replace the field itself - do not worry, remove the old mirror information. This is recommended by Feng Shui experts.

New faces for old furniture

Updated furniture after restoration looks very creative and elegant. If you turn on the fantasy at full speed, you can remake cabinets and armchairs beyond recognition. There are several unique technologies: cover the wooden sides with acrylic paint, insert a mirror mosaic, change the fittings. Most importantly, try not to fall out of the general style. Handles and locks should either shine like real gold, or shimmer dully by candlelight.

There is another interesting technology. You can decorate the cabinet doors with bright chintz and varnish. How to paint the side walls by hand? This is not difficult.

• Sand off any old varnish or paint.
• Sand down.

• Apply the pattern with acrylic paint.
• After drying, varnish the surface.

Restoration of furniture at home is an artistic process of spiritual creativity. You can paint with ornaments or floral patterns the doors of the grandmother's closet. There is such an update option: after preparing the surface, plant dried flowers, herbs, petals of fresh flowers on the glue. Then open everything with varnish in 2-3 layers.

You can decorate with mother-of-pearl a chess table that someone threw out as unnecessary. People sometimes don't realize how valuable some items are. You can make a set: a round table with a stone top and a mantelpiece from the same material. It is desirable in the same style to arrange a mirror over fireplace. To do this, you can cut a stone stand separately with built-in permanent candlesticks.

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 table top. 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:

The fabric used for the upholstery can be sewn on with patterned seams. This will create a special decorative effect. 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; and others.

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 ask for 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.

May 3, 2019 Sergey