Refurbish Your Furniture

(Image courtesy of decor8)

Sometimes we all need a little change of scenery in our apartments. But this time, rather than packing up all your furniture and heading to donate it why not take those old pieces and transform them into something unique? Turning old and and dated pieces of furniture into something new can be a great way to release your creativity into your apartment and increase your sense of ownership over the pieces you keep in your home.

Recreating older pieces of furniture doesn’t have to be difficult or overly time consuming. This blog from renters.apartments.com has some quick and simple ideas to update old furniture. Keep reading to learn how you can refurbish a number of old pieces.

• Slipcover an old armchair, sofa or ottoman: For instant furniture revival without any staples, find a slip cover that fits your chair, sofa or ottoman to give it a facelift. If needed, remove old upholstery on hand-me-down furniture and replace it with fabric that matches the room’s decor. While you’re at it, replace any foam or batting that has seen better days. Straight forward pieces are fairly easy to reupholster yourself, but if you feel overwhelmed by the project, take the furniture to a professional for guaranteed results.
  
• Repaint a tired dresser, nightstand or armoire: Whether the piece was painted previously or not, prep the furniture by sanding and priming it. Apply two coats of your favorite colored paint. Stencils and painter’s tape allow you create customized designs for added interest. Finally, replacing old hardware completes the makeover.
  
• Rescue a worn-out cart: Give media carts, movable kitchen islands, utility tables and other furniture-on-wheels a new lease on life with a properly executed makeover. Sand, prime and paint your old wood cart to freshen it up. New casters are probably in order as well, since these rust and wear out with age.
  
• Recover a chair or bench cushion: Kids and animals wreak havoc on cushion covers, staining and tearing them when your back is turned. Save the furniture by removing the existing cushion and recovering it with a new fabric of your choice. All you need to complete this DIY project is a staple gun and a screwdriver. You might also choose to repaint wooden portions of the chair or bench for a complete furniture transformation.
  
• Restore a shabby bookcase: Wooden shelves are as ho-hum as they get, but you can liven up even the shabbiest of bookcases on a Saturday afternoon. Sand and prime every surface and apply white paint to the exterior and shelf fronts. Then, paint a bright color on the insides of shelves to add contrast. White crown molding along the top adds a stylish finish.
  
• Update a drab headboard: Statement headboards are more fashionable than ever right now. If you have a stately headboard with a drab, damaging finish, update it with fresh paint, maybe even a unique stencil design. Upholstered headboards also add value and interest to the bedroom, as well as a comfortable way to prop yourself up.