Decorating Guides
Wake Up Tired Furniture With Paint, Paper and Fabric
Give ordinary pieces a new spin with crafty updates, like a fresh tabletop, decorated sideboard and wall-size pinboard
Not the DIY type but still hankering for a creative interiors project? The answer could be style hacking — shorthand for taking an existing piece of furniture, be it a tired old chair or an off-the-shelf bookcase, and adding some quirky, crafty personality. (The trend began a while back when clever folks discovered they could give Ikea staples new life with a few smart style tweaks.)
Style hacking sits in that happy space between DIY madness (new headboard built from scratch? No problem!) and mass-manufactured blandness. The result can mean an original piece for the price of a tester pot of paint or a roll of wallpaper — ideal if, like many of us, you’re on a budget but don’t want cookie cutter interiors. The following projects are achievable even for beginners.
Style hacking sits in that happy space between DIY madness (new headboard built from scratch? No problem!) and mass-manufactured blandness. The result can mean an original piece for the price of a tester pot of paint or a roll of wallpaper — ideal if, like many of us, you’re on a budget but don’t want cookie cutter interiors. The following projects are achievable even for beginners.
Swap drawer handles. Give a plain chest of drawers, new or old, a pretty lift by swapping neutral drawer pulls for colorful glass knobs. This tall chest was given a breezy makeover with a lick of white paint and a set of contrasting turquoise handles. Sleeping baby optional.
Upcycle vintage chairs. If you can hold a paintbrush, you can definitely manage this one! Painted wooden furniture is a brilliant way to add a wow factor to a neutral room, as seen in this country dining room. If you don’t have an old chair in need of love, scour secondhand stores or eBay. Old-school Windsor-style chairs, like the ones here, work perfectly.
Prepare varnished wood with sandpaper (use wire wool and mineral spirits for waxed finishes). Use a primer to ensure a good finish — acrylic-based primers are easy to use. Then apply two layers of eggshell-finish paint, lightly sanding between coats. When it comes to color, the only rule is to have fun. Try solid hues, like this cool blue, or experiment with painting the legs and seats in contrasting shades.
Prepare varnished wood with sandpaper (use wire wool and mineral spirits for waxed finishes). Use a primer to ensure a good finish — acrylic-based primers are easy to use. Then apply two layers of eggshell-finish paint, lightly sanding between coats. When it comes to color, the only rule is to have fun. Try solid hues, like this cool blue, or experiment with painting the legs and seats in contrasting shades.
Cover your seat. Got a tired chair with a removable seat pad? Try revamping it without calling in a professional upholsterer. First find some cute fabric, checking that the pattern will work with your seat’s dimensions. Remove the existing fabric (the wadding/foam and seat pad frame should remain; if the former looks ancient, replace that, too).
Use the old fabric as a template to cut out your new fabric. Secure it snugly in place over the stuffing and seat, using a staple gun to attach it to the underside of the seat frame, or upholstery tacks hammered into place. Replace the seat and admire your funky, upcycled new chair.
Tip: You can pick up an old chair in a junk shop and make a new seat on the cheap, but this trick could work equally well with new chairs.
Use the old fabric as a template to cut out your new fabric. Secure it snugly in place over the stuffing and seat, using a staple gun to attach it to the underside of the seat frame, or upholstery tacks hammered into place. Replace the seat and admire your funky, upcycled new chair.
Tip: You can pick up an old chair in a junk shop and make a new seat on the cheap, but this trick could work equally well with new chairs.
Paper the backs of shelves. Wallpaper the back of a cheap bookcase for a shot of uplifting pattern. It’s an inventive way to give otherwise dull units a custom twist. Buy offcuts of wallpaper from decorating shops (look for discount rolls from discontinued lines) or use samples.
First give the shelves a wipe-down, then measure the recesses carefully. Cut the paper to size using a paper knife. (It sounds obvious, but insert the pieces into the recesses to check that they actually fit!) Mix a little wallpaper paste, apply it to the back of the paper using a small brush and fix the wallpaper neatly into place, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles.
First give the shelves a wipe-down, then measure the recesses carefully. Cut the paper to size using a paper knife. (It sounds obvious, but insert the pieces into the recesses to check that they actually fit!) Mix a little wallpaper paste, apply it to the back of the paper using a small brush and fix the wallpaper neatly into place, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles.
Paint a mirror frame. Transform a humdrum mirror into a supercool one by giving the frame a lick of bright paint. The result can really lift a room, this hot-pink number being a case in point. Try spray painting for an even, glossy finish.
First clean the frame, then sand it. Lay the mirror on plenty of newspaper, making sure the glass is well covered. Cover the frame with a suitable coat of primer (depending on whether it’s metal, wood or plastic). Then get spraying, making sure the area is well ventilated. Wear a mask and always read product instructions carefully before using spray paints.
Alternatively, use a glossy paint and a small brush, coating the frame thoroughly. Allow it to dry, then repeat.
First clean the frame, then sand it. Lay the mirror on plenty of newspaper, making sure the glass is well covered. Cover the frame with a suitable coat of primer (depending on whether it’s metal, wood or plastic). Then get spraying, making sure the area is well ventilated. Wear a mask and always read product instructions carefully before using spray paints.
Alternatively, use a glossy paint and a small brush, coating the frame thoroughly. Allow it to dry, then repeat.
Get in the frame. If you’re anything like me, you probably have empty picture frames just waiting to be filled with exciting artworks you haven’t actually sourced yet (or photos still unprinted). No more waiting. There are so many beautiful wrapping papers around these days, so simply frame your favorites. Snip the paper to fit your frame’s dimensions and voilà — a lovely, original display.
Go collage crazy. Like flower arranging before it, collage is back in fashion with crafty souls. This humble hallway bench has been given a shot of personality thanks to a patchwork of vintage and painted scrap-wood pieces.
See how the homeowner, an artist, came up with this bench
See how the homeowner, an artist, came up with this bench
Decorate a sideboard. Secondhand sideboards make great candidates for style hacking: You can often pick them up cheaply, and their rectangular shape makes them a great blank canvas for all kinds of creative designs.
This 1950s model has been given a quirky update using classy wallpaper featuring winter trees; try stenciling for a similar effect. The shimmery gold top adds another nice glam touch.
Read a reluctant DIYer’s diary of a dresser makeover
This 1950s model has been given a quirky update using classy wallpaper featuring winter trees; try stenciling for a similar effect. The shimmery gold top adds another nice glam touch.
Read a reluctant DIYer’s diary of a dresser makeover
Brighten a wardrobe. With their blank facades, wardrobes also have tons of potential for adding extra style points. You can pick up plain models inexpensively if you look around. The owner found this cabinet in a flea market and gave it a twist using wood-paneling-print wallpaper in white and aqua.
Design a pinboard. The humble corkboard isn’t just for pinning up to-do lists; it’s also a brilliant textured surface for experimenting with design. All you need is some paint and your imagination. Here, several have been given a geometric slant and displayed as practical artworks.
See more of this house and how to make your own stylish corkboard
See more of this house and how to make your own stylish corkboard
Copy the crate shelf trend. The crate shelf is becoming a staple in urban-rustic cafes and shops. Follow the trendsetters and turn your own wooden crates or wine boxes into similarly eclectic shelves. Buy weathered, vintage crates online or ask your friendly local wine seller for spares. New ply crate shelves can look fab too, as seen here.
Secure the boxes firmly to the wall using mirror plate fixings or screws and screw anchors. If you want the natural industrial look, leave the crates unpainted; alternatively, coat them with eggshell-finish paint or cover the interiors with quirky wallpaper offcuts.
Have you style hacked any furniture? We’d love to hear your ideas and see photos in the Comments!
More: Explore the Houzz DIY scection
Secure the boxes firmly to the wall using mirror plate fixings or screws and screw anchors. If you want the natural industrial look, leave the crates unpainted; alternatively, coat them with eggshell-finish paint or cover the interiors with quirky wallpaper offcuts.
Have you style hacked any furniture? We’d love to hear your ideas and see photos in the Comments!
More: Explore the Houzz DIY scection
Measure the tabletop and cloth, fold the corners neatly and fix the oilcloth in place underneath with a staple gun or tape.