Breathe new life into your furniture

August 18, 2015 - 2 min read

It really doesn’t take much time or effort to reinvent that bookcase or turn an old dresser into a rustic drink cooler. Before you toss out that tattered chair, think about how you could give it a refreshed look and function—and save yourself some money in the process! We’ve got some great ideas for giving your old furniture a brand new purpose. Better yet, you don’t need to be a professional handyman to pull it off. Whether it’s a new layer of paint or having a couch reupholstered, there’s so much you can do!

DIY Beer Cooler

Image via ikeahackers.net
Image via ikeahackers.net

Is that old dresser begging for a new purpose? Don’t take it to the tip; make it your new drinks cooler! Think a stylish, subtle and incognito esky! This is a pretty simple task if you’re familiar with woodwork and power tools. Another great idea is to repurpose that old outdoor picnic table by installing a section of a rain gutter to act as a drink trough. No more getting up to get drinks—they’ll all be within arm’s reach!
Check out the DIY project here.


Refresh Rustic Features

Rustic-coffee-table

Love the look of vintage wooden furniture? If you’ve got a piece your partner thinks is an eyesore, give it a quick wax finish (the piece, not your partner!). Wax finishes are a great way to maintain the natural features of rustic furniture while also ensuring durability. To achieve this, you will want to sand the surfaces down for an even starting point. Apply a wash of paint or stain to the wood. Once this is dry, apply furniture wax with wax pads for a beautiful finish.


Turn an Old Rug into a Pillowcase

Seminole_patchwork_shawl

Using this method will re-purpose two problem areas: an old rug and worn-out cushions! If your rug is still in reasonable condition, or just needs a good clean, this project will work wonders. All you’ll need is your imagination and a sewing kit.
Check out the DIY project here.


Transform a Bookcase into a TV Unit

Image via homedit.com
Image via homedit.com

This project is super simple. If you have a long narrow bookshelf, all you’ll need to do it lie it down length-ways, add some sturdy legs and you’re done! It’ll be chic, sleek and modern—not to mention provide a bunch of storage space perfect for DVD players, gaming consoles and more.