How to Transform Second-Hand Furniture into Modern Statement Pieces
When you think of a living room or a bedroom, what’s the first thing that comes to mind for furniture? Probably white or off-white walls, beige couches, glass coffee tables, a golden or a silver accent here and there, etc.
Now imagine all of this in grays and taupes and you have 80% of the modern world’s homes. It seems we all shop in the same stores and while you can’t argue with the fact that these types of modern rooms are beautiful, you also have to admit they’re overplayed and without charm. The worst part? They cost an arm and a leg (or a kidney; depending on the market).
So, how do you add charm and personality to your home without having to remortgage your home to finance the furniture? You find second-hand stuff! The real beauty of pre-loved furniture is in its potential.
Beneath the years of wear and tear is a piece waiting to be transformed into something unique and lovely, and in this article, we’ll tell you how to do it.
Prepping the Furniture
The first thing to do is to go online and search “thrift store near me” to see what’s offered. Then, you go to the store, pick out a few pieces, and bring them home.
Now what? You’re not particularly creative or handy and that hammer you had hasn’t seen any action in years. Or was that a hammer? Maybe it was a screwdriver, who knows. Whatever the case, you now have used furniture plopped in your hallway and you have no idea what to do.
Don’t fret, we’re here to help!
1. Cleaning
Everybody likes a good second-hand find, but a used coffee table means people have been using it. So… there could be a lot of stuff in there that you really don’t want to touch. This is why you’ll start off with cleaning it.
Dirt, grime, and old polish can make it hard for paint or adhesive to stick to the surface. Use a gentle cleaning product that’s appropriate for the material, like wood soap for wooden furniture.
If you see stains, mix vinegar and water to remove them. If it’s a metal surface you have and there’s rust on it, use a rust remover or scrub the rust off with a wire brush. After cleaning, let everything dry.
2. Repairing
Loose joints and anything that wobbles has to be fixed with glue and tightened. If there’s anything missing, like handles or hinges, replace them with new ones. For cracks, dents, and holes, wood filler is your best friend.
Apply it evenly and let it dry completely.
3. Sanding
This is the final prep step that will make sure your new furniture is ready to be painted, stained, or sealed. First, use a coarse-grit sandpaper to get rid of old paint, varnish, or any rough edges.
As you work, start to transition to a finer grit sandpaper to get a smooth finish. If the surface you have is large and flat, an orbital sander will be great, but for something more detailed, hand-sanding is a better option. Once you’re done, wipe away all dust.
How to Modernize Your Furniture
If you did the prep work properly (not like there’s too much room for mistakes, but still), you’re ready for the fun part.
Now you can turn the old into new, the unfashionable into fashionable, and the uninteresting into spectacular. All you need is creativity, some great ideas, and the will to do it!
Let’s see how to make old furniture new and unique.
1. Painting
Painting is one of the easiest ways to give a new vibe to the furniture. Start with picking the type of paint; chalk paint gives a soft matte finish, and spray paint gives a smooth, modern look. Use a primer before the paint to help the paint stick and go on evenly.
Once the paint is dry, seal it with a protective topcoat so it doesn’t chip.
2. Reupholstering
If you have a chair, a bench, or anything else covered in fabric, reupholstering is perfect for updating it. Get a staple gun, scissors, and new fabric. Remove the old fabric first, but keep the padding if it’s in good shape.
Cut the new fabric a little larger than the surface and secure it tightly with a staple gun. It should be smooth. Modern fabrics like velvet and linen are excellent choices, as are bold patterns to make the piece pop.
3. Redefining/Repurposing
Every now and then, it pays to go beyond the straightjacket approach. Think outside of the box. For example, an antique chest of drawers may serve as a center table while an old door may be converted into a table or used as a headboard and so forth. Once you start thinking this way, the ideas will start flowing in and you’ll be limited only by your creativity.
Brought together under a coat of paint, even odd, left out chairs can make a beautiful dining set. When it comes to furniture repurposing, what you’re actually doing is that you’re making your home more personalized, and unique.
Conclusion
For some, second-hand furniture brings to mind the scene from The Big Bang Theory, specifically the one with Penny’s chair that liked to bite people’s behinds. If you’re not a fan of TBBT, let’s just say second-hand furniture is not a good idea if you’re picking it up from the side of the road.
But pre-loved pieces can be a perfect addition to any room because they can make it personal and warm.
If you like living in a home that looks like a hotel, it may not be for you, but if you like charming, inviting spaces, this just might be the way to give your home the update it deserves without spending a lot of money on it.
