Do you have a piece of furniture that you’re thinking of getting rid of? Do you like the piece but it isn’t working with a new design aesthetic or newer pieces? Is it hard to find a replacement for it? Perhaps, instead of getting trashing the furniture and buying new, you can give your furniture a second life.
How to Give Furniture a Second Life
1. Decide the project. Figure out what you need to do in order to make the piece of furniture work or to make it better. Usually, a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware will do the trick.
2. Gather materials and make a game plan. If you’re going to be revamping anything with wood, you should be sanding everything with sandpaper before painting. If you’re trying to paint furniture with laminate, you will need a special primer. Decide on paint finish, which can depend on what the piece is used for, and pick your paint colors (or stain, if you’re working with wood and want to enhance it).
3. Set up your workspace. Use canvas drop cloths, which can be found at any hardware store, to protect floors and surrounding décor or furniture. You can also use old blankets if you’re in a pinch. Be sure to use painter’s tape to keep the parts you don’t want painted paint-free. Plus, painter’s tape helps create clean, crisp lines.
4. Get started! Be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy or grab an apron to help cover up your clothes. Most paint can be washed out in the laundry but that is never a guarantee.
5. Second coat and topcoats. Getting a quality paint will help ensure that your coverage is smooth and even with one coat, but a second coat is good practice. Be sure the paint is completely dry between coats. After the second coat is dry apply your topcoat to seal in your hard work.
6. Clean up and enjoy! Place the furniture where you want it, enjoy the second life you have given it.
Bonus: you can humbly brag when guests ask about the piece.