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Polish It to Perfection
Removing unsightly scratches from wood furniture is not as hard as you think. In fact, here’s an almost effortless fix that can put a fresh face on an aging exterior. Erase marks by running a piece of walnut along the scratched surface. Follow up with a homemade furniture polish to lend your old furnishings a lustrous like-new finish.
Make Contact
If your favorite furnishings have endured more serious abuse that has left them with water marks, spills, or stains, try this covert cover-up. Choose a plain or patterned contact paper, then adhere it to desks, shelves, end tables, or any other surface that needs a refresh. The double-duty self-stick paper will not only conceal surface blemishes, but also protect the piece from future wear and tear.
Upgrade the Hardware
It’s amazing how a few new pieces of hardware can revamp your furniture. With so many options to consider, from conventional to unusual, the potential for reinvention is almost limitless. Try swapping out the old hardware for something a little different and see how the bargain bling can transform plain pieces into awe-inspiring accents.
Related: Editors’ Picks: 8 Favorite Etsy Stores for One-of-a-Kind Furniture
Freshen Up the Fabric
Give a forgotten wingback chair a modern makeover with—a can of paint? Yes, you really can paint upholstery; the secret is to mix your paint with fabric medium, then sand the stiff fibers once the fabric has dried. Gradually brush on the paint, blending it into the fabric and allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. When you’re done, paint the legs to bring them up to date with the chair’s fresh new look.
Give It a Leg Up
Salvage a dowdy dresser or charmless chair by adding a new set of legs. You can DIY your own from wooden spindles or wooden block, or purchase a set of hairpin legs to give your old furniture a more modern air. Then, simply attach the legs to the base of the furniture and enjoy your like-new piece.
Reupholster It
If your dated dining chairs are taking a backseat to the rest of the room, recover their glamour by replacing their cushions. Reupholstering a chair cushion involves simply removing it from the chair, stapling down new fabric, and then cutting away the excess fabric from the bottom of the seat before reattaching the cushion. The result is a chic and comfortable seat that brings much more to the table.
Dress It in Fabric
YouTube via patioelf
Don’t have any chair cushions to reupholster? Your scrap fabric can still be put to good use in your next furniture makeover. Cover a tired-looking nightstand or dresser with linen, burlap, or lace to soften its look and conceal signs of age with whimsical colors or striking patterns.
Related: The 15 Best Cheap Furniture Makeovers We’ve Ever Seen
Style It with Stencils
etsy.com via royaldesignstencils
You can transform a hand-me-down piece of furniture into a homey focal point merely by personalizing it. Stencil coffee tables, dressers, end tables, and more with designs ranging from painted monograms to graceful flourishes. The effect is as elegant to behold as it is easy to accomplish.
Pair It with Pillows
If you have only seconds to spare, there’s no furniture upgrade faster and easier than this: Fluff a few pillows and throw them onto a sofa or armchair in need of TLC. Mix a mélange of colors and choose pillows that contrast with the upholstery, or toss a few accent pillows on a dour and dated armchair to add playful personality.
Related: Sofa, So Good: 10 Creative Ways to Revive a Tired Old Couch