4 Ways to Repurpose Old Furniture

The next time you stroll through a thrift store or yard sale, look beyond that dated hardware and chipped paint, and you just might find a high-quality piece of solid wood furniture. These furniture pieces are already cut, planed, sanded and assembled. With a few minor updates, you can score an awesome new piece of furniture that is truly one of a kind.

Make an Enchanting Entertainment Center:

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You can make a more fanciful new home for your television and accessories using furniture you might already have in your attic. An old wardrobe, armoire or dresser makes a wonderful entertainment center. Swap out old hardware and knobs for updated versions using a screwdriver. You can also take out drawers and slide wood slabs onto the drawer runners to create shelves for your video players and game consoles. Cut a discreet hole in the wardrobe back to run wiring using a reciprocating saw or a Drimmel tool with a hole saw attachment. Use sand paper and paint thinner, followed by primer and the stain or new paint of your choice to complete the makeover.

Create a Custom Home Office:

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Making your own desk is a cost-effective and fun way to create a home office workspace that looks like a million bucks, but doesn’t cost it. An old front door becomes an interesting, rustic desk and conversation piece. Use two filing cabinets or sawhorses as legs, then cover the door with a custom-cut glass top.

Alternatively, you could measure and cut to create an elongated, floating work surfaces that spans the entire room. Salvage an old arm-chair with re-upholstered fabric and a coat of fresh paint, and screw casters to the legs to create a stylish, upcycled office chair.

Take a Seat on a Custom Bench:

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Everyone has that old wooden bookshelf from college that just doesn’t fit into your home’s decorative scheme. Flip that old bookcase onto its side to turn it into a delightful custom bench, an ideal addition to a nursery or living room. The transformation might only require a new coat of paint, or you can also design and sew a custom upholstered cushion top, made using batting and the fabric of your choice. Use the exposed open cubbies to store books, toys or shoes close at hand, or make your own cabinet doors using hinges for a seamless look.

Give Old Furniture New Life:

Perhaps you have an old piece of wood furniture that is well-constructed but simply doesn’t suit your taste. Break out your crowbar and reclaim the wood for use in a new rolling bar cart or a bookcase. Salvaged wood also makes for great picture frames or wall shelves. You can use the wood in its distressed state for a rustic look or refine the surface it with a planer and sander.

Whatever your project, giving new life to old furniture revitalizes your home while benefiting the environment. Bring your creativity with you next time you visit the flea market. You never know what you will find—and what you can make.

Featured Image by Flickr