How to Give Life to Second-Hand Furniture

In our fast-paced world, it’s often easier to replace a broken article than it is to fix it. That said, there’s nothing more rewarding than giving life to second-hand furniture. It’s not only rewarding, but also greener than buying something new and sending your old items to the garbage heap. 

Not everyone has experience in the repair and restoration of second-hand items, though that doesn’t mean that it’s something reserved exclusively for the experts. With a little time, effort, and a small investment, you’ll have your second hand furniture looking good as new in no time! 

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Don’t Go Too Big Too Soon

It can be tempting to tackle the biggest item in your home first, such as that worn-out sofa or busted-up coffee table, but going too big too quickly can do more bad than good.

Start with small items, such as pillows in need of a new case or an old coat hanger that could use a bit of revitalization.

Upcycling is not the easiest hobby to get into, so allow yourself the opportunity to grow with short, easy-to-finish projects that give you the chance to learn. 

Choosing the Right “Mood” for Your Mood Board

A proper plan prevents profoundly poor performance and, yes, a well-placed alliteration can drive a point home like few other instruments can.

To get the most out of your upcycling journey, I recommend that you take as much time as is needed to adequately map out your project.

Here’s how to do just that.

Whether it’s minor scratches or large patches of missing stuffing, you’ll need to get your furniture in working order before you can begin giving it a new look. Be sure to note down all issues and come up with a plan on how you intend to address them.

Check Condition and Damage

Before you can begin giving your furniture an update, you need to know how much work will go into fixing everything up. Whether it’s minor scratches or large patches of missing stuffing, you’ll need to get your furniture in working order before you can begin giving it a new look. Be sure to note down all issues and come up with a plan on how you intend to address them. 

Keeping a log of all issues ensures that you remember every detail and plan for how you are going to remedy them when the time comes. 

Take (Accurate) Measurements

Before you can begin, you’ll need to know the exact dimensions of the item you’re working on. If, for example, you’re reupholstering your sofa, you should know the length, width, and height of not only the frame, but also the dimensions of the cushions, legs, and any other items. 

You can use the same format as the issues log to track measurements. 

Plan for functionality

More important than giving your home a new, fresh look, your upcycling should always be functional. Any planning (or actual changes) that you make should fit the purpose of the item. 

Choose a theme (and mood board it)

Even if you only plan on fixing up one or two items, you should try your best to create a mood board. 

The reason that I suggest doing this is so that you’re not backtracking later when you do decide to add/ update more items. 

Concepts

You should include concepts and ideas such as colors, textures, materials, and themes. I also like to include a few ideas for items I can add to the room to enhance the work I do. Examples of this are things like picture frames, ladder bookshelves, carpets, etc. 

Cleaning and prep

Depending on what you’re doing, you will need to get your furniture ready for its glow-up. 

Cleaning 

It’s tempting to get stuck in straight away, however, you should take some time to ensure that the items that you’re upcycling/ refurbing are spotless before you begin.

Any blemishes, stains, or patches of dirt will get in the way while you’re in the thick of it. 

Prep

More important than cleaning is the preparation you should do before you begin your work. Ensure that you have all tools, paints, material, and other consumables ready when you work. The last thing you want to be doing is looking for the right paintbrush in the middle of your work! 

Easy-to-do Refurbs you Can do in a Day

If you’re new to the upcycling game, I recommend that you start small. Even if you’re a seasoned upcycling veteran, you may find some fun, easy-to-do projects below too! 

Slap a new coat of paint on it

Most of the time a complete refurb isn’t needed.

A simple sanding, a new coat of paint, and a coat of varnish will have your furniture looking good as new. 

There are a ton of great paints you can get your hands on, from the traditional “can of paint'' to matte spray paint.

You must use the right paint for the item you're working on, so, for example, if you’re painting a wood coffee table, be sure to use wood paint. Likewise, if you’re painting fabric, use fabric paint.

Update fittings and fixtures

A new set of handles can make an outdated chest of drawers look brand new.

Spend five minutes at your local homeware store and you’ll find a plethora of new fittings and fixtures that’ll give new life to your old furniture. 

Wallpaper it

Wallpaper is traditionally applied to, well, walls... right? Yes, it is, but that doesn’t mean it won’t look great on an older furniture item.

Wallpaper is a great way to save cash, time, and effort while also giving your out-of-date items new life. 

Reupholstery

This may seem like a bit of a jump - to go from painting old items to reupholstery but if you start small, it’s a jump you should definitely make! 

There’s a lot that goes into reupholstery, so I’d recommend that you do a little more research, particularly regarding the kind of item you are wanting to reupholster.

Things to consider

Remember, there’s a difference between the shape, size, and material of the various items that you’ll be working on. For example, if it is leather furniture you will be working on, it is a good idea to use a sewing machine for leather to ensure you don't damage your material.

I won’t leave you completely in the dark about upholstery though! This article from Architectural Digest gives a great starting point! 

Thanks For Reading!

I hope that I’ve given you some helpful information here! If there’s anything that you think I’ve left out or other advice that you want to give to newer upcyclers, leave a comment! If you want to get a friend into the art of upcycling, share this with them - it helps us out a lot! Thanks for stopping by.

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