How to Repurpose old Furnishings
Decorating your home can be an exciting but expensive process. That doesn’t mean you have to stick with an empty and dull interior. With a bit of resourcefulness, you can repurpose old furnishings and make them into beautiful pieces of décor in your home. If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your space without spending a lot, then read on for our guide on how you can repurpose old furnishings to decorate your home on a budget.
Assess and Declutter
The first step to repurposing old furniture is the assessment and decluttering process. Take a look at the furniture items in your home and decide which ones still have life in them. Just because something is old doesn’t mean it necessarily needs replacing. Think of creative ways you can use and upgrade these items. For instance, you can try to fix pieces that need minimal repair and refinishing.
On the other hand, if the pieces you have can no longer be saved, then assess their value and consider recycling, selling, or repurposing them instead of throwing them away. This will help cut costs while also making sure that you make the most out of the furniture you have.
Explore Options
Once you’ve assessed your furniture and decided which items need to be repurposed or replaced, it’s time to start exploring your options. Doing a bit of research and becoming familiar with the kind of furniture items you can use to repurpose your old furniture will give you an idea of how far you can go with your project.
The internet is a great resource for this. Search for different DIY projects and online tutorials about different kinds of furniture pieces and ideas for furniture repurposing. This will help you assess which pieces of your furniture can be reused and figure out exactly what needs to be done to turn them into beautiful treasures.
Choose the Pieces
Now that you’re familiar with different types of furniture pieces, the next step is to choose which items you will repurpose. When choosing which pieces to keep and which to get rid of, opt for furniture items that are versatile and can easily be adopted into more modern-looking décor.
For instance, if you have an old dresser that needs refinishing, you can divide the drawers into separate shelves where you can store your books, magazines, and other knick-knacks. Or, if you have an old armoire, you can remove the doors and turn it into an open shelf for displaying pictures and other pretty items in your living room.
Gather Materials
Once you’ve decided which pieces of furniture you’ll be repurposing, the next step is to gather the materials you’ll need. You may need to purchase additional items like paint, glue, and the like in order to be able to bring the furniture back to life. Make sure you double check the items and quantities you need beforehand so you can purchase them ahead of time and avoid multiple purchases.
Also, as much as possible, try to pick up materials from your local thrift shops and recycling centers. Not only will you save more money, you’ll also be helping reduce environmental waste.
Start Repurposing
Many people make the mistake of underestimating the process of repurposing old furniture. While it’s true that it doesn’t require a degree in design and carpentry, much thought and effort should still be put into it.
Think of this task as an art project. Paint, sand, glue, and add beautiful decorations to the furniture items. Combing through various thrift stores and DIY shops may also help you find unique pieces which you can add to your furniture in order to make them look unique and beautiful.
Find the Right Place
One of the most important elements in creating a beautiful, welcoming space is placement. After you’ve repurposed your old furniture, it’s important to find the right spot for them, preferably in the most prediminant area of the room.
When deciding where to place your furniture, consider the size and shape of the room as well as other existing pieces in the same area. You want to create an area in which the furniture items you’ve repurposed, along with other pieces of décor, complement each other and work in harmony to draw the eye in.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
Last but not least, accessorize. Adding a few decorative items to the repurposed furniture items will give them an extra boost of style and charm. Pillows, throws, rugs, and other small items can help bring out the beauty of the furniture pieces and give your room more interest and personality.
You don’t have to buy all of your accessories, however. Things like old books, trays, clocks, and other vintage pieces can help spruce up the room and add more character to the décor.
Summary
Repurposing old furnishings doesn’t have to be a difficult or expensive process. With a little effort and diligence, you can turn your lifeless, old furniture pieces into interesting, beautiful décor for your home. From assessment to accessorizing, by following our guide, you can repurpose old furniture and give your home a unique and stylish touch without breaking the bank.
