Decorating
Second Life: Achievable Revamps for Hand-Me-Down Furniture
Use our guide to update tired furniture with upholstery and nailhead trims or repurpose relics into new family treasures
Some treasured pieces of family furniture should remain exactly that. Others, however, could do with a new lease on life to bring them into the 21st century. Whether you want to freshen up your brother’s old bedside table or add a contemporary twist to your cousin’s console, these professional finishes will give you some ideas.
Leather upholstered furniture
There’s no need to limit yourself to fabric if you’re keen to upholster an old treasure. Leather, suede and even some other hides are robust enough to withstand frequent use and can conceal the ravages that time can wreak on old furniture. This upholstered chest of drawers has been beautifully finished with a nailhead trim and topped with glass for extra protection from stains and spills.
There’s no need to limit yourself to fabric if you’re keen to upholster an old treasure. Leather, suede and even some other hides are robust enough to withstand frequent use and can conceal the ravages that time can wreak on old furniture. This upholstered chest of drawers has been beautifully finished with a nailhead trim and topped with glass for extra protection from stains and spills.
Customised nailhead trims
Speaking of nailhead trims, this technique can be enough to liven up any ancient relic.
Nailhead trims can be applied to timber furniture and upholstered pieces – it’s a great way of making sure that the material used to upholster the furniture is firmly attached to the substrate.
Traditionally, nailhead trims come in a variety of colours from black, bronze and brass to pewter, nickel and natural in polished or brushed finishes.
You can choose between a finely or a widely spaced trim and use it as an understated outline on your furniture, or as a highly decorative motif in its own right.
Speaking of nailhead trims, this technique can be enough to liven up any ancient relic.
Nailhead trims can be applied to timber furniture and upholstered pieces – it’s a great way of making sure that the material used to upholster the furniture is firmly attached to the substrate.
Traditionally, nailhead trims come in a variety of colours from black, bronze and brass to pewter, nickel and natural in polished or brushed finishes.
You can choose between a finely or a widely spaced trim and use it as an understated outline on your furniture, or as a highly decorative motif in its own right.
Although it’s possible to grab a nailhead trim, a rubber mallet and launch into a DIY project, it can be tricky to achieve straight, evenly spaced lines with nailhead trims.
Tip: The human eye can detect inconsistencies of up to a millimetre at close range – and with good vision – so it pays to get a professional to do the job for you unless you don’t mind the variations that come with DIY.
Tip: The human eye can detect inconsistencies of up to a millimetre at close range – and with good vision – so it pays to get a professional to do the job for you unless you don’t mind the variations that come with DIY.
Metal trims
If you love the look of aluminium travel trunks and have an old chest of drawers that needs a new lease on life, consider tracking down a designer or restorer with experience using sheet metal as a furniture trim. This technique is usually applied around the edges and corners of furniture, giving it a ‘framed’ appearance. Rivets complete the industrial look and help affix the metal sheet to the furniture beneath.
Tip: Notice the matching trim on the mirror above these drawers? Consider applying this trim to multiple pieces for continuity.
If you love the look of aluminium travel trunks and have an old chest of drawers that needs a new lease on life, consider tracking down a designer or restorer with experience using sheet metal as a furniture trim. This technique is usually applied around the edges and corners of furniture, giving it a ‘framed’ appearance. Rivets complete the industrial look and help affix the metal sheet to the furniture beneath.
Tip: Notice the matching trim on the mirror above these drawers? Consider applying this trim to multiple pieces for continuity.
Mirror-panelled cabinetry
The panels or inserts in many pieces of furniture can be the first parts to show signs of wear and tear because they are often made from thinner, weaker material than the frame. If this sounds familiar, consider replacing the panels with mirrored inserts for a new look. A professional will be able to keep any detailing or timber fretwork on the facings of your drawers or cupboards and affix custom-cut mirrored panels behind them, which is the case with this mirrored armoire.
Let the Fog of Antiqued Mirrors Creep In
The panels or inserts in many pieces of furniture can be the first parts to show signs of wear and tear because they are often made from thinner, weaker material than the frame. If this sounds familiar, consider replacing the panels with mirrored inserts for a new look. A professional will be able to keep any detailing or timber fretwork on the facings of your drawers or cupboards and affix custom-cut mirrored panels behind them, which is the case with this mirrored armoire.
Let the Fog of Antiqued Mirrors Creep In
Wire-mesh panels
In a similar vein, wire-mesh panels or inserts can be used instead of traditional timber if you’re keen to replace the facings of your drawers or cupboards.
This Sydney kitchen by Provincial Kitchens features wire-mesh cabinet doors in keeping with the home’s traditional Shaker style.
Tip: For high-humidity areas or rooms such as the kitchen, which can become oily from cooking residue, opt for fine wire mesh rather than a looser weave to prevent a greasy film from coating the insides of your cupboards.
In a similar vein, wire-mesh panels or inserts can be used instead of traditional timber if you’re keen to replace the facings of your drawers or cupboards.
This Sydney kitchen by Provincial Kitchens features wire-mesh cabinet doors in keeping with the home’s traditional Shaker style.
Tip: For high-humidity areas or rooms such as the kitchen, which can become oily from cooking residue, opt for fine wire mesh rather than a looser weave to prevent a greasy film from coating the insides of your cupboards.
Veneer-clad furniture
Gone are the days when veneer was exclusively applied to walls and benches. These days a skilled professional can revamp furniture with veneer cladding as well. Take inspiration from this demi-lune shaped Omni Drawer Chest, resplendent in its carved wood-like cladding. Highly textured veneers with a three-dimensional quality can be used to create a similar look.
Tip: Consult with a cabinetmaker before pre-purchasing cladding as different pieces of furniture have different possibilities.
Gone are the days when veneer was exclusively applied to walls and benches. These days a skilled professional can revamp furniture with veneer cladding as well. Take inspiration from this demi-lune shaped Omni Drawer Chest, resplendent in its carved wood-like cladding. Highly textured veneers with a three-dimensional quality can be used to create a similar look.
Tip: Consult with a cabinetmaker before pre-purchasing cladding as different pieces of furniture have different possibilities.
Lacquered and varnished furniture
Varnish is often used as an umbrella term when we refer to top coats that give furniture a protective finish, such as lacquer, enamel, polyurethane and shellac.
Each product is suited to different applications and gives a slightly different finish, so you might prefer to place the technical work in the hands of experts. Professionals are also equipped to handle the fumes and mess that come with spraying and painting.
Of all these varnish-like finishes, however, lacquer is typically the glossiest. Black lacquer was used here to give the curved bombe chest in this black and white entrance a brilliant sheen.
Varnish is often used as an umbrella term when we refer to top coats that give furniture a protective finish, such as lacquer, enamel, polyurethane and shellac.
Each product is suited to different applications and gives a slightly different finish, so you might prefer to place the technical work in the hands of experts. Professionals are also equipped to handle the fumes and mess that come with spraying and painting.
Of all these varnish-like finishes, however, lacquer is typically the glossiest. Black lacquer was used here to give the curved bombe chest in this black and white entrance a brilliant sheen.
Painted restoration
If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of reviving an old piece of furniture, chances are your first thought was to give it a loving lick of paint. It’s true that if you fancy a DIY project, all you need is sandpaper, paint and something to apply it with. However, if you’re craving a more detailed finish, at the very least, look into stencil kits if you have an intricate design in mind. Who knows, you may create a new family heirloom.
Revamp Old Drawers With Paint
If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of reviving an old piece of furniture, chances are your first thought was to give it a loving lick of paint. It’s true that if you fancy a DIY project, all you need is sandpaper, paint and something to apply it with. However, if you’re craving a more detailed finish, at the very least, look into stencil kits if you have an intricate design in mind. Who knows, you may create a new family heirloom.
Revamp Old Drawers With Paint
Repurposed bathroom vanities
Here’s one for the renovators – repurposed furniture can be used to make bespoke bathroom vanities with all-important storage space, so don’t throw out your old sideboard just yet if you’re planning on redoing your bathroom.
Bookshelves, bedside tables, buffets, consoles and chests of drawers can all be recycled if they’re in good condition. If your beloved relic is low, a plumber can mount a bowl or vessel sink on top to bring it up to a workable height.
If, however, the piece of furniture you wish to repurpose as a bathroom vanity is high, try recessing or semi-recessing your sink instead.
Tip: Aim for a total height of 900 to 1,000 millimetres for your bathroom vanity to ensure ergonomic ease.
Here’s one for the renovators – repurposed furniture can be used to make bespoke bathroom vanities with all-important storage space, so don’t throw out your old sideboard just yet if you’re planning on redoing your bathroom.
Bookshelves, bedside tables, buffets, consoles and chests of drawers can all be recycled if they’re in good condition. If your beloved relic is low, a plumber can mount a bowl or vessel sink on top to bring it up to a workable height.
If, however, the piece of furniture you wish to repurpose as a bathroom vanity is high, try recessing or semi-recessing your sink instead.
Tip: Aim for a total height of 900 to 1,000 millimetres for your bathroom vanity to ensure ergonomic ease.
Glass-topped furniture
Placing a sheet of custom-cut glass on top of a piece of furniture is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to give it an instant lift.
Simply measure the top of your chest of drawers, table, bedside table or other piece of furniture and be exact, double-checking your measurements to the millimetre. Measure the angles of each corner too – you’ll be surprised at how few are exactly 90 degrees.
Next, take these dimensions to your local glazier and select a type of glass and your preferred style of edging. Swiped or seamed edges will be sharp, so opt for pencil, bevelled or mitred edges, which have a smoother feel. Edges can be ground (which gives a rough or brushed appearance), smoothed (which looks frosted) or polished (where the edge has the same reflective appearance as glass itself).
Placing a sheet of custom-cut glass on top of a piece of furniture is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to give it an instant lift.
Simply measure the top of your chest of drawers, table, bedside table or other piece of furniture and be exact, double-checking your measurements to the millimetre. Measure the angles of each corner too – you’ll be surprised at how few are exactly 90 degrees.
Next, take these dimensions to your local glazier and select a type of glass and your preferred style of edging. Swiped or seamed edges will be sharp, so opt for pencil, bevelled or mitred edges, which have a smoother feel. Edges can be ground (which gives a rough or brushed appearance), smoothed (which looks frosted) or polished (where the edge has the same reflective appearance as glass itself).
Mirror-topped furniture
Similar to topping furniture with a sheet of glass, you can also crown an old heirloom with a custom-cut mirror. Similar rules apply when selecting how the edge is finished, though mirrors also come in a wide variety of hues. You can choose from standard, antique, smoke, bronze, gold and other shades.
Similar to topping furniture with a sheet of glass, you can also crown an old heirloom with a custom-cut mirror. Similar rules apply when selecting how the edge is finished, though mirrors also come in a wide variety of hues. You can choose from standard, antique, smoke, bronze, gold and other shades.
Decoupage designs
Many furniture restorers have created an art form of upcycling tired furniture with wallpaper, then applying a transparent decoupage-style medium as a protective finish.
Take inspiration from this intricately detailed Fornasetti curved chest of drawers in ‘Palladiana Ivory’. Although it’s manufactured by the company itself, Fornasetti’s wallpaper has also become a firm favourite for upholstering furniture from other sources, including old family heirlooms.
Tip: Decoupage-style restoration can also be done with other types of paper – think old newspapers reporting historical events and breaking news or pages from your favourite classic novels.
Many furniture restorers have created an art form of upcycling tired furniture with wallpaper, then applying a transparent decoupage-style medium as a protective finish.
Take inspiration from this intricately detailed Fornasetti curved chest of drawers in ‘Palladiana Ivory’. Although it’s manufactured by the company itself, Fornasetti’s wallpaper has also become a firm favourite for upholstering furniture from other sources, including old family heirlooms.
Tip: Decoupage-style restoration can also be done with other types of paper – think old newspapers reporting historical events and breaking news or pages from your favourite classic novels.
Timber-topped furniture
Keen to use a more natural-looking material? Try timber. Measurements for a timber top are more forgiving because unlike glass and mirrors, it’s possible to have a lip of wood protruding beyond the perimeter of your chest of drawers or dresser. This works well if you like the look of a small overhang and the shadow line it creates.
Timber has the added advantage of being more durable, so if you’re repurposing an ancient piece of furniture to use as a work space, a timber top will serve you well.
Your turn
How have you revived old furniture? Upload your photos in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it and share it.
More
Browse eclectic spaces on Houzz to get inspired
Keen to use a more natural-looking material? Try timber. Measurements for a timber top are more forgiving because unlike glass and mirrors, it’s possible to have a lip of wood protruding beyond the perimeter of your chest of drawers or dresser. This works well if you like the look of a small overhang and the shadow line it creates.
Timber has the added advantage of being more durable, so if you’re repurposing an ancient piece of furniture to use as a work space, a timber top will serve you well.
Your turn
How have you revived old furniture? Upload your photos in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it and share it.
More
Browse eclectic spaces on Houzz to get inspired
Think upholstery is reserved for seating? Think again. In this New York residence, an uninspiring bedroom dresser was upholstered in striking black and white Ikat fabric, transforming a stale piece of furniture into a statement.
To ensure the fabric you select withstands the test of time, choose your textiles from a professional upholsterer.
Tip: A fabric’s durability is, basically speaking, measured in the number of ‘rubs’ it takes the yarn to tear. Anything less than 15,000 rubs should only be used to upholster occasional furniture, which you look at more than you use. A Martindale rub rating of 20,000 to 25,000 rubs is ideal. Fabrics over 30,000 rubs are usually used in hospitality and commercial interiors as they are the most durable.
Find furniture restorers and upholsterers on Houzz