Transforming outdated furniture into a bespoke household item can not only look impressive in the home but can also be cheaper than buying a new piece.
According to Ideal Home, choosing the right piece of furniture to upcycle is key to a successful project.
For DIYers just starting out on their upcycling journey, a bedside table can be an excellent first project. Generally, these items are manageable in size but can still offer a big visual impact.
Our professional decorators at Scott Anson Painters and Decorators Ltd have some top tips to upcycle a bedside table.
Essential Tools
The tools required for an upcycling project will depend on the scope of the DIYer’s creativity.
However, the following tools can be a good starting point for most projects:
- A brush or sponge to clean away dust and debris
- Various sandpaper grits
- A screwdriver for replacing fittings
- Quality brushes or rollers
- Primer
- Finishing paint or stain
- New fixtures and fittings such as drawer pulls, hinges and handles
- Safety equipment such as gloves and a dust mask
- Measuring tape or a ruler
- Wood glue
- Masking tape
Planning and Prep Work
Strong preparation and planning can help to ensure a successful project. When upcycling a piece of furniture, it’s possible to add, remove or replace as many of the original elements as desired.
The piece can be stripped right back to its shell for a complete makeover. If this sounds too extreme, a piece can simply be given minor repairs with new fittings and a fresh lick of paint.
As a bare minimum, it’s a good idea to start by:
- Cleaning the bedside table
- Making any required repairs
- Sanding down the surface
- Priming the surface before starting to decorate
There are a lot of inspiring trends in interior design magazines and on social media channels. Gathering ideas before starting the project can ensure a clear plan of action.
Paint Effects
The type of paint effect to use will depend on the ambience and character of the room the beside table will sit in. For example, using two-tone contrasting colours on different elements of the table can look modern and striking.
Wallpaper
For those who aren’t particularly skilled with a paint brush, wallpaper applications can provide intricate patterns and textures that can be easily applied to a surface.
A Vintage Look
Using distressed paint techniques, period colours, fixture styles and decorative motifs can give a piece of furniture a vintage appearance.