Buying used furniture
Buying used furniture for upcycling is a great, more affordable alternative when updating your home décor, but there are a few things to be aware of when browsing old pieces.
• Have a good idea of what type of furniture you need before heading to car boot sales and markets – and when you see something, picture where it would go in your home. This way, you’ll be less likely to buy pieces that aren’t particularly useful.
• Remember there’s a huge used furniture market online. Many people sell pieces at bargain prices or even give them away for free on community threads and websites.
• It’s important to be flexible if you’re looking for a unique piece. Some creative thinking can turn old doors into smaller cupboards, or crates into shelving. For inspiration, take a look at our DIY and decorating blogs.
• Upcycled furniture doesn’t have to look flawless. If a piece looks shabby because of a bad or fading paint job, or it has a scratched surface, you can easily transform it with a little sanding or painting.
• Make sure you check furniture is structurally sound for the way you’ll use it. If there are holes in older wooden furniture, it’s probably woodworm.
How to paint and revamp your furniture
Painting or repainting furniture is an easy and effective way to upcycle older pieces or add a splash of colour to your space. Something as simple as repainting shelves or a coffee table can transform the mood of your room.
1. On bare wood, lightly sand the surface and brush off any dust. For most other surfaces, prepare by cleaning the surface with a damp cloth.
2. If you want a smooth finish, prepare surfaces thoroughly by filling any cracks or holes with filler, so it’s as even as possible before you paint or prime.
3. Most furniture paint can be applied to bare or painted wood but always check the manufacturer’s instructions on whether a primer is required on your specific surface before applying the furniture paint.
4. If your paint and chosen surface requires a primer, wait for the primer to dry.
5. Paint your furniture evenly for the best finish. Paint smaller areas with a brush and larger areas with a roller to save time.
6. Wait for the first coat to dry before adding any more coats of paint.
7. If you’re adding detail with a second colour, mask off areas that could get splashed with paint. If you’re lacking inspiration, check out our decorating hub for some painting ideas for dining and coffee tables.
Top tip: You can use low-tack masking tape on furniture you’re repainting to create borders for geometric patterns. Make sure the paint is dry before removing masking tape to prevent smudging.