Drawing on a chest of drawers with your own hands. Technique for restoring chests of drawers in various ways
READ ALSO: HOW TO MAKE HANDLES FOR DOORS OR FURNITURE. TOP 17
1. Floral print
2. Add fabric to the sides of the drawers
Read detailed instructions.
3. Decorate drawers with wallpaper
You will also be interested - 45 Ways to Update Your Closet with Wallpaper.
4. Use lace
Read detailed instructions.
5. Applying paint to a lacquered chest of drawers
30+ Ways to Use Leftover Paint Wisely.
6. Memorable dates on the chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
7. Or your favorite songs
Read detailed instructions.
8. Or favorite cities (streets)
Read detailed instructions.
9. Trailer from a chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
10. Use file cabinet drawer handles
Read detailed instructions.
11. Striped accent
Read detailed instructions.
12. Use painted toys as pens.
Read detailed instructions. You will also be interested - How to make your own handles for doors or furniture. TOP 17.
13. Or their halves
14. Blue milk
Read detailed instructions.
15. Paint a chest of drawers with metallic paint
Read detailed instructions.
16. Bold Ombre Style
Read detailed instructions. You will also be interested - 33 Examples of Ombre Walls + Master Class.
17. Use a stencil to create an original pattern
Read detailed instructions.
18. Another option using stencils
Read detailed instructions.
19. Add a Geometric Pattern to the Top of the Dresser
Read detailed instructions.
20. Use wood planks to line drawers
Read detailed instructions.
21. Replace drawers with baskets
22. Cover the boxes with maps from around the world
Read detailed instructions.
23. Or Both
24. Dresser ombre style
Read detailed instructions.
25. Ombre...
Read detailed instructions.
26. Another ombre option...
27. Use magnetic paint
Read detailed instructions.
28. Use different shades of polish
Read detailed instructions.
29. Strictly and tastefully
Read detailed instructions.
30. Run multi-colored stripes along the entire chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
31. Solar accent
You will also be interested - how to make a simple plywood cabinet.
32. Paste the chest of drawers with newspapers. Why not?
33. Scallops
34. Charming patterns on drawers
Read detailed instructions.
35. Update your chest of drawers with gift wrapping
Read detailed instructions.
36. Use old rope for handles
Read detailed instructions.
37. Funny mustachioed dressers
38. Optical illusion
Read detailed instructions.
39. Bright circles on the dresser
40. Or triangles
41. Use Headed Nails
Read detailed instructions.
42. Cross stitch effect
Read detailed instructions.
43. Ombre...
44. For lovers of navigation
Read detailed instructions.
45. Stylized chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
46. Cover the chest of drawers with fabric
Read detailed instructions.
47. Cover with foil
Read detailed instructions.
48. Don't be afraid to use bright colors
49. Ombre...
50. That case when scribbles look organic
51. Add Brass Staples and Handles
Read detailed instructions.
52. Create a colorful texture on the drawers
Read detailed instructions.
53. Sea chest of drawers
54. Experimenting...
55. Use House Numbers as Pens
Read detailed instructions.
56. Add miniature wheels
Read detailed instructions.
57. Experimenting...
58. Add Vinyl Letters
Read detailed instructions.
59. Bright and colorful chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
60. Bright geometric patterns
61. Create whimsical shapes
Read detailed instructions.
62. Get rid of the drawers
63. Another version of geometric patterns
64. colorful chests of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
65. Leopard notes
Read detailed instructions.
66. Do not forget about the decor of the inner surface of the drawers
67. Color contrast
68. Mix prints
69. Experimenting...
70. Use colored pencils as liner
Read detailed instructions.
71. Marine shades
72. Use leather instead of banal pens
Read detailed instructions.
73. landscape chest of drawers
74. Mirror chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
75. For UK fans
Read detailed instructions.
76. Family photo
Read detailed instructions.
77. Contrasting stripes
78. New legs for an old chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
A chest of drawers is an element of the decor of many apartments and houses. It is convenient to store bed and underwear, clothes and home textiles in its capacious drawers. During operation, the appearance of the furniture loses its attractiveness even with careful handling. Product design may lose relevance in a modern interior. Do-it-yourself restoration of the chest of drawers allows you to return the furniture to its former attractiveness, to revive the appearance.
There are many ways to restore a chest of drawers. Coloring, decoupage or aging is suitable. You can restore furniture made of plywood, chipboard, restore the look of an old chest of drawers. Before performing any restoration option, old furniture must be prepared and stocked with materials for work. This will require the following tools:
- grinder to remove the old coating;
- putty on wood and a spatula for covering cracks;
- screwdriver for dismantling old rusty screws;
- metal corners with which you can strengthen the structure;
- fine-grained sandpaper for sanding the coating;
- brushes and primer on wood for processing furniture for painting;
- drill for making holes for fittings, fasteners;
- paint, brushes, roller and tray for restoration at home.
Tools
Depending on the finish option, the list of tools and materials may vary. If the chest of drawers is painted, varnish is used to fix the coating. When using the decoupage technique, you need PVA glue, beautiful stickers that will decorate the surface.
All materials and tools must be prepared in advance, as soon as it is decided how to update the chest of drawers. In order for the furniture to serve for a long time, it is recommended to replace the fixing and decorative fittings with new elements.
Furniture preparation
Restoration of an old chest of drawers will be successful if the furniture is properly prepared for work. The chest of drawers is freed from the things and objects stored in it, the boxes are taken out. Old handles are unscrewed - if they are antique, the products can be repainted in gold, bronze or silver. Parts that cannot be restored must be replaced with new fittings. Surface preparation is carried out as follows:
- to finish the old chest of drawers with their own hands, the furniture is wiped from dust and dirt. You can use warm soapy water for cleaning;
- do not use aggressive chemical components - ordinary laundry soap will do;
- carved elements are cleaned with an old toothbrush, and small decorative holes with an awl or other sharp object;
- grinder remove the old paintwork, hard-to-reach places are treated with sandpaper;
- repair of furniture fasteners - loose legs are disassembled, reassembled, adding PVA glue to the joints;
- wooden slats on which the boxes “ride” can be replaced with modern guide rails;
- if the product has cracks and chips, they are covered with wood putty. The mixture dries for at least a day;
- the restored places are carefully rubbed with fine-grained sandpaper so that the surface is even and smooth;
- to improve the adhesive qualities, the furniture is coated with a primer in two layers, allowing each coating to dry;
- the soil dries out from 12 to 24 hours - it depends on the type of primer chosen.
An antique chest of drawers with a long history may contain a unique brand or mark of the master on the surface - these fragments should be preserved in order to convey the charm of a restored antique product as accurately as possible. Restoring a chest of drawers with your own hands requires patience and skill. You can not ignore the process of preparing furniture, otherwise all the work will be in vain.
Dust removal
The old coating must be carefully removed from all decorative elements.
Sanding furniture surfaces
Restoration options
To return the furniture to a presentable appearance, various restoration techniques are used. The simplest option is decorative wallpapering, as in the presented photo. Some craftsmen cover with fabrics or lace. You can use stencils to apply original drawings with paint or make complex decor with plaster. But most often, restoration is carried out with the help of painting, spectacular decor.
Decoupage
Decoupage is the use of various materials to decorate furniture. For decoration, a variety of clippings are used, which are glued to the chest of drawers. The theme can be anything - floral motifs, birds, portraits, photo collages. Acrylic paints and ready-made stickers are used to complete the work. Decoupage of a chest of drawers in the popular shabby chic style - drawings are combined with an aged surface:
- prepare the surface of the furniture for processing (grinding, putty, primer), remove the boxes and remove the fittings, treat with alcohol;
- I restore the inner parts of the chest of drawers with white paint or ivory, let it dry for 12 hours;
- to simulate "scuffs" on the convex parts of the chest of drawers apply a dark stain with a dry brush in a small amount;
- the outer surfaces of the chest of drawers are coated with a primer, after drying they are treated with sandpaper;
- black acrylic paint is applied to the aged areas, after drying they are rubbed with a paraffin candle;
- paint the chest of drawers with your own hands in the base color. To make the drawings look expressive, use white, cream, beige;
- the paint is applied in several layers, each time the coating is dried until completely dry;
- decorative elements are cut out of decoupage paper. It is convenient to place large parts in the center, small ones in the corners;
- coat the pictures with PVA glue on the outside and inside, apply glue to the sections of the chest of drawers and glue the decoupage, as in the photo;
- the edges of the pictures are smoothed with paint to visually erase the borders. Cover the entire chest of drawers with varnish, fasten the fittings.
Antique furniture handles are painted antique. If decoupage is done in a modern style, you can choose new accessories to your liking. For decoupage, you can use newspapers, photos, napkins for needlework, stickers.
An interesting decoupage option in the Provence style is a combination of paper flower applications with lavender splashes. The chest of drawers is painted white, medium-sized blue or purple flowers are glued on, and then droplets of paint are splashed with an old toothbrush from a distance of one or two meters. The greater the distance, the smaller the droplets.
All irregularities are smoothed out with sandpaper
Edges and handles are painted with brown acrylic paint.
Edges and handles are rubbed with a candle
Painting with white acrylic paint and sanding
Drawing up a picture from selected pictures
Applying a layer of glue
Leveling with fine sandpaper
Replacement of metal parts
Old chests of drawers require not only decoration, but also the restoration of the system of fasteners and fittings. Metal elements of the dresser - bolts, screws, handles, corners. They eventually become unusable and lose their external gloss. Antique beautiful fittings can be left if the products are not damaged, or painted. This is true for models in the old style and shabby chic design. For restoration in a modern version, furniture handles should be replaced with new products. Fixing parts of the chest of drawers also need to be repaired or replaced. How to restore an old chest of drawers to make furniture more durable:
- carefully inspect the condition of the fasteners;
- unscrew old loose screws;
- wood glue is added to the holes;
- install dowels of suitable size;
- new fixing screws are screwed into the dowels;
- frame parts are connected with metal corners;
- the corners need to be fixed in the inside of the chest of drawers.
Be sure to check the condition of the legs. If they are loose, the products are disassembled and new fasteners are installed. To make the drawers slide easily when opening and closing, furniture rails can be installed instead of mounting strips. The main thing is that they do not disturb the harmony and harmony of the restored product. Additionally, furniture can be decorated with metal decorative overlays that imitate carvings or patterns. The main rule of restoration is to first replace the fasteners, and then proceed to decorating.
Drawer guides
One of the easiest ways to restore the beauty of a chest of drawers is to paint the furniture. It takes a little time, reliably hides the slightest defects and flaws, allows you to give the product any color. Before painting, the chest of drawers is prepared for restoration. Fittings are twisted from it, drawers are taken out and the old coating is removed. If the chest of drawers is polished, the top layer must be removed thoroughly so that the new paint does not peel off. Coloring master class:
- surface grinding, crack filling, priming;
- applying paint with a brush on the corners and in hard-to-reach places;
- painting the smooth surfaces of the dresser with a paint roller;
- drying of the first layer, secondary staining, drying;
- fixing the decorative coating with a layer of varnish.
You need to apply paint on furniture at least two times to make the color rich and beautiful. You can cover the chest of drawers with three or more layers - this way you can repaint dark furniture in light shades and vice versa. First, paint the internal parts, and then proceed to finish the external surfaces. Acrylic paints work well for painting. You can use alkyd enamels, but they release toxins and a strong characteristic odor.
Thermal removal of the old coating
Grinding can be done with a machine or special nozzles for drills.
Acrylic putty will hide defects visible to the eye
Painting is best done with a brush.
Painted chest of drawers
Aging
The current trend in furniture restoration is the use of aging techniques. It is in this way that an old chest of drawers can be given an original look. Aging work is slightly different from traditional staining. In addition to acrylic paint, white paraffin candles are needed. Restoration with the effect of aging is shown in the photo:
- furniture is prepared for work - cleaned, primed, strengthened fasteners;
- allocate dark paint (brown or black) accent areas. For the Provence style, blue is used;
- after the paint has dried, the places where the effect of aging needs to be applied are rubbed with wax;
- the entire surface of the dresser is covered with a layer of white paint several times. Places treated with wax are carefully scraped off with a knife;
- painted surfaces are rubbed with sandpaper to give the furniture the desired antique effect, and varnished.
You can achieve vintage “scuffs” on furniture by using contrasting shades - a white base and dark accents or a black base background, painted with light paint and rubbed in some places with sandpaper. Aged furniture harmoniously looks in the interiors of shabby chic, Provence, country, vintage houses.
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. Just 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, and 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;
- 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.
- Paint the surface with white acrylic paint. Let dry well.
- Cut out patterns from decorative paper napkins. Stick them on the dresser with PVA glue.
- 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!
Storage space is a necessary element of any room. Although there are hundreds of modern and compact solutions now, we always return to the traditional option: a chest of drawers that never goes out of style. Are you still looking for the perfect chest of drawers for your home?
Then, especially for visitors to the Design Museum, some amazing DIY ideas that will help you create your own, unique design.
Ombre effect
Open any design magazine and you will definitely find at least one project with the inclusion of the Ombre effect. Add this idea to your interior as well. The Bungalow Blog project uses a muted blue color. If you are aiming for a similar effect, try using the same soft colors and shadows.
Another variation of the dresser design using a gradient. This time, a warmer composition from Our Party 3. If you like orange colors, you can also play in contrast with white handles.
geometric patterns
Geometric patterns are one of the hottest trends in the design world. Simplicity of forms, clear lines and contrasting colors - everything you need for a total transformation of any thing. The idea behind Stars for Streetlights combines classic colors and trendy triangular shapes to create an optical illusion effect.
This playful green and pink chest of drawers from The How-To Gal may seem frivolous, but it's perfect for a kid's room. You can play with colors and give the design a more formal look if you use navy blue and turquoise as a base for a nautical theme, or a gray and white combination for a modern one.
Don't be afraid of bright colors! Bold enthusiasts and experimenters will love the DIY project from Fengshui Dana. If you want a more discreet option, you can reduce the number of colors or replace the triangles with squares.
An old chest of drawers can be made attractive again with a fresh coat of paint and Moroccan-inspired patterns. Of course, the painting process may seem very complicated, but rest assured, the result will exceed all expectations. (DIY Network)
Style - in one color
If you stick to a simple design, then the transformation of the chest of drawers will cost you much less. The DIY project from Centsational Girl proves that even white can look amazing. If you want to add elegance to the design, you can consider a pistachio or lavender variation.
Although pink by nature is a very “flashy” color. Proper use of it will help to make the right accent in your room. In this design, it perfectly dilutes the white finish. (jRox Designs)
Do you have a favorite color that you would like to include in the design? Then Amanda's idea from Unexpected Blessings is for you. She decided to embody her love for mint shades in the design of a chest of drawers. Why not follow her example?
Bright accents
Of course repainting is the easiest solution to change the look of your chest of drawers, but there is an even easier solution. Add a few bright touches or distinctive signs to your furniture design and you will give it a new life.
If you like retro style, you can use floral motifs from DIY Network as a basis.
If you're not sure you want to change the look of all your drawers, try alternating solid colors and decorations. An idea from Spearmint Baby combines an ombre effect with wallpaper decorating some of the shelves with floral motifs.
If you stick to the same style in everything, then the dresser option from HGTV will suit you. Decorate the shelves with a single print with a large pattern, and you will get a bright and fashionable accent for your interior.
Innovative ideas for unique design
By keeping some parts of your chest of drawers intact, you can create a truly unique work of art. The idea from Centsational Girl shows how partial paint treatment of some details can significantly transform a thing, but the previous design of the composition is not lost.
The following design uses the opposite effect, with the help of paint you can achieve a single color scheme of the chest of drawers, while maintaining its original appearance. And the decoration of the doors with PVC rings creates a unique textured relief. (Vintage Revivals)
Most likely, inspired by the ideas, you are already looking askance at your old chest of drawers. So don't forget to share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comments!
The popularity of hand-made products is growing day by day, including hand-painted furniture. A fascinating activity also brings practical benefits: with the help of painting, old pieces of furniture acquire a second life. But it is not necessary to deal exclusively with restoration. New simple furniture without frills can be turned into a real masterpiece of the interior. The main thing is to choose the right painting technique.
Design options
The way furniture is designed depends on professional skills and the time you are willing to spend on creating a masterpiece. For beginners who do not know the art of artistic drawing, it is better to start by using simple stencils. A more complex and interesting painting is obtained by mastering the decoupage technique. In the future, the main composition can be supplemented with small details made independently.
For masters who use a brush, it is better to try painting furniture using acrylic paints. It will take more time to work, but the freedom of creativity here is not limited to a certain composition. For the first experiments, small pieces of furniture are suitable - a stool, a chair or a shoe shelf. After honing your painting skills, you can move on to larger items - chests of drawers, cabinets.
Comment! Natural wood furniture is suitable for painting, products based on chipboard or MDF will have to be set aside. The exception is the design of surfaces using decoupage.
Preparatory stage
Depending on the technique you choose, you will need:
- Acrylic paints. You can buy a set or individual shades of the desired volume. The water-resistant image surface is ideal for a wooden base.
- Brushes. It is recommended to purchase synthetic products or with mixed pile, designed specifically for acrylic formulations. It is better to refuse natural brushes. To work, you will need wide instances that fill the background areas, and thin brushes for drawing small details.
- Primer. Usually, before starting work, the surface of the furniture is treated for better adhesion with the applied paint layer.
- Special blends to create certain effects. To give the picture interesting shades, you should use little tricks. Most often, painting is found in the interior of Provence. The provincial design direction actively uses special techniques for the artificial aging of surfaces. It can be scuffs, small cracks and chips. Craquelure varnish, gelatin, PVA glue and even egg yolk can be useful to achieve this goal.
Golden paints give the pattern on the furniture additional brightness, using a hair dryer when painting will help to get a blurry image.
Before starting work, the furniture surface must be cleaned and degreased. To eliminate irregularities, sanding is carried out, scratches and dents are puttied, after which the furniture is covered with a primer. The beginning of painting is started after thorough drying of the treated surface.
Comment! If the preparatory stage is skipped, the painted image may deteriorate after a short period.
Art for beginners
After the preparatory stage, they proceed directly to the design of furniture.
Using stencils
Painting with a stencil is the easiest way to transform the interior of a room. Having chosen the option you like from numerous examples, it is initially printed out and then transferred to a thick sheet. An ornament or other image is carefully cut out. Simple and at the same time attractive patterns are presented below:
The surface of the furniture is initially painted with a background color, usually calm shades are chosen for this purpose. After the paint dries, the stencil is securely fixed to the furniture and the prepared cutouts are filled with brighter paint. The work is carried out with a sponge, so the surface is painted more evenly. It is better to gradually apply several layers to the furniture.
Depending on the chosen pattern, furniture painting is done in one-color or multi-color. In conclusion, it is recommended to additionally circle the contour of the painting to obtain a brighter image. If the stencil is small, you can use the pattern on several objects, the main thing is to observe moderation in order to avoid oversaturation of the interior with bright colors.
Decoupage technology
The essence of the decoupage technique is to fix a pattern made on paper or fabric onto a dense base. It can be small vases and jars or larger furniture. The advantage of decoupage compared to painting with acrylic paints is that it is not necessary to choose a wooden surface for decoration.
Of great importance in the preparation of materials is the choice of varnish. Depending on the composition, the surface of the furniture can be:
- semi-matte;
- matte;
- with sequins;
- antique;
- semi-gloss;
- glossy.
To imitate painting, they acquire a special material with a printed pattern. There are the following options for decorating furniture:
- Napkins. Due to the thin base, working with them is quite difficult. For beginners, it is better to train on small, even surfaces of furniture.
- Decoupage card printed on rice paper. Due to the denser base and elasticity, it will be a little easier to achieve the effect of painting on furniture.
- Decoupage cards on plain paper.
- Prints on photo paper. The advantage of the solution is the ability to order any image that is optimally suited for decorating furniture painting.
Attention! Regardless of the chosen pattern, the piece of furniture intended for decoupage painting is painted in a white background. The reason for the requirement is simple - before applying, the paper with a pattern is moistened, if the base is colored, the color of the painting will be noticeably distorted. On a white background, the color scheme will remain in its original form.
Fixing the picture takes place in a different way. Usually, the surface is treated with glue, after drying, paper with a pattern is applied and carefully leveled, achieving a complete absence of bubbles or wrinkles. When the paper dries, the drawing is varnished, which will preserve the integrity of the painting.
Illustrative examples of painting made using the decoupage technique are shown in the photo:
Painting with acrylic paints
A full-fledged painting is more suitable for people who can independently create an interesting picture on furniture. But this is not a prerequisite. A simple drawing in the form of a cherry on a children's chair is quite possible for a beginner to complete.
Main stages of work:
- It is better to make a preliminary sketch of the painting on paper in order to choose a harmonious color palette that will blend into the overall interior.
- Prepare pencils, paints, brushes, varnish and other improvised materials.
- The outlines of the pattern are applied to the surface of the furniture with a simple pencil without pressure, so that it does not subsequently show through the acrylic paint.
- First, large elements of the painting are painted, then small details are drawn up.
Depending on the desired effect, the base coat of paint is allowed to dry or another tone is applied on top, without waiting for complete drying. Photos will help you evaluate the variety of images with which you can decorate furniture:
Features of painting in various rooms
When choosing an image, they are guided by the functional purpose of the room and the style of the interior. Most often, painting on furniture is in demand in the Provence style. Natural motifs, all kinds of vegetation and birds are fully consistent with the design concept with a taste of the French province. Painted looks extremely organic. If desired, the furniture in the kitchen can also be painted, although it is easier to turn to the decoupage technique. In addition to flowers, birds and vegetation, there are other interesting compositions.
The children's room is a space for creativity. For beginners, it is better to choose simple images, these can be fish, colorful numbers and letters. If desired, the child's room will be filled with bunnies, fairies, cars and sailboats. It all depends on the age, gender and preferences of your beloved child.
For furniture design, you can also choose a neutral theme - geometric shapes, iridescent bubbles, the choice is limited only by your own imagination.
The kitchen is a suitable place for still lifes. The painting in the form of a tree will look extremely impressive on the furniture, the trunk of which is located on the pencil case, and the branches smoothly pass to the adjacent cabinet.
Go ahead, and due to the design of the surface of the furniture set, you can transform the interior of the room beyond recognition. The main thing is to take into account the functionality of the room, the overall stylistic decision and not overestimate your own capabilities.
