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Inside: Don’t miss these amazing repurposed furniture makeovers that are sure to inspire you to go and upcycle something drab into something beautiful!
You know I never say no to a trip to IKEA especially when there’s a potential furniture hack involved, but do you know what’s even more fulfilling than making over a piece of modern flat-pack?
Repurposing old furniture that someone else no longer has a use for.
Not only do you get the chance to be creative and create a piece of totally unique home decor, but by upcycling and turning someone else’s trash into treasure you’re helping the environment too.
And if you can then take that repurposed piece and sell it to make some extra cash that’s a triple win right?
What does repurposed furniture mean?
If you’ve not heard the term before, repurposed furniture simply means taking something old that the owner no longer wants and turning it into something useful.
It can be as simple as giving an old dresser a new lease of life by giving it a lick of paint, to turning the same dresser into a vanity unit for your bathroom, or even taking an old rowing boat and turning it into a bookcase!
Seriously when it comes to repurposed furniture projects the sky is the limit as to what you can create.
What’s the best place to find furniture to repurpose?
Traditionally the go-to place to find furniture to repurpose was the flea market. And there are still treasures to be found there for sure. But you can also pick up unloved furniture for next to nothing, and sometimes for nothing at all, in the following places:
- your local Facebook selling group
- Freecycle
- local yard sales
- thrift stores
- antique stores
- craigslist
- friends and family
- estate sales
Is it hard to upcycle furntiure?
Upcycling furniture is something that anyone can try their hand at, even beginners.
Of course, as with everything, the more practice you have the better your results will be.
If you start out making over something you picked up for free, and accept that it doesn’t need to look perfect, then you can’t really go wrong.
Each project you undertake will be a learning experience and once you get started you’ll probably find that you won’t want to stop.
Suddenly your creative juices will be flowing and every time you see an old piece of furniture you’ll be thinking about how you can turn it into something new and unique!
Click play on the video below to watch Jennifer flip a piece of furniture she found on the side of the road to see just how easy it can be!
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Best books on upcycling furniture
What’s the best furniture to upcycle?
I’m not sure there really is a “best furniture to upcycle” because you can take anything that’s old and unloved and give it a new lease of life.
Here are few ideas of things you can upcycle into something new:
- Old picture frames
- Vintage armoires
- Dresser drawers
- Dressing tables
- Maps
- Soda crates
- Wooden chairs
- Bookshelves
Click play on the video below to see 10 more furniture flips to inspire you!
Can you make money upcycling furniture?
Sure you can!
Of course, unless you’re already a bit of a dab hand at DIY projects you might need to have a few practice runs before you have a piece that you can sell, but over time it can become a very profitable pastime.
You don’t even need to have your own shop because you can sell your upcycled pieces online via an Etsy store or even you local Facebook selling group.
Click play on the video below to watch this episode of Pretty Distressed where Christina walks you through flipping furniture for profit from buying the pieces on Marketplace, making them over, and selling the finished item on Marketplace (for $132 profit!)
What do you need to repurpose furniture?
If you want to have a go at repurposing your own furniture then there are some things that you’ll need for the best chance of success:
- Somewhere to work, this could be a garage or outside if the weather is fine and dry
- Basic tools, such as a wood saw, hammer, nails, screwdriver, screws etc
- Sandpaper
- Paint, such as chalk paint, outdoor paint, or spray paint
- Varnish to seal your paint
- Tissue paper and Mod Podge if you want to try decoupage
- Fabric for reupholstering, look for secondhand fabric while you’re hunting for furniture!
- Wheels or castors
- Handles and knobs
Want to make money flipping your flea market finds? Check out this FREE video series!
What can I make with old furniture?
Anything you can imagine!
I think it’s time to share some repurposed furniture ideas to give you some inspiration and show you the incredible things you can do.
Are you ready to be amazed and inspired?
Give an old drab stool a faux fur makeover
Found it here >> Moms and Crafters
This is such a simple project but a great way to take something old and outdated and turn it into something contemporary and usable!
Repurpose an old dresser into a stylish vanity unit
Found it here >> An Oregon Cottage
Vanity units are so expensive to buy new so if you’re making over your bathroom look out for an old dresser you can upcycle instead!
Transform a drab dresser into a book lover’s delight
Found it here >> On the Banks of Squaw Creek
This is such a clever idea to create extra storage for books on the sides of an old dresser!
Amaze your kids by turning an old end table into a LEGO table
Found it here >> Fussy Monkey Biz
We’ve shared ideas for IKEA lego table hacks before, but this one is just as brilliant! I love the basket for storing the lego pieces when they’re not being played with.
Transform an old lantern into a gorgeous lamp
Found it here >> Lovely etc
When you’re looking for things to upcycle don’t limit yourself to furniture pieces, this old lantern has been turned into a beautiful lamp.
Upcycle vintage books into a fabulous lamp
Found it here >> The Shabby Creek Cottage
Speaking of lamps… this is the perfect makeover for a book lover!
Transform an old window shutter into a bathroom shelf
Found it here >> Confessions of a Serial DIYer
How’s this for a clever way to use old shutters? Click through to find out how you can turn them into a pretty shelf for your bathroom complete with hooks to hang up your towels!
Repurpose old drawer fronts into funky hangers
Found it here >> Design Sponge
I love this idea of taking drawer fronts and turning them into hooks in your mudroom, entryway or even your bedroom.
Broken victrola boxes make stylish centrepieces
Found it here >> Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
Don’t these old victrola boxes make the most beautiful plant holders? They really bring a touch of elegance to this dining table.
Turn a vintage suitcase into a stunning coffee table
Found it here >> DIY Network
This would make a wonderful home decor piece for someone who loves to travel!
Transform an old rowing boat into a bookcase
Found it here >> I Want to Be Recycled
I think this might just be my favorite repurposed furniture project of all time… once a rowing boat… now a bookcase!
Turn a cute breakfast set into stunning jewellery storage
Found it here >> Confessions of a Serial DIYer
If you have some pretty dishes in the kitchen that you never use because they’re not dishwasher friendly why not give them a new lease of life as a jewelry holder?
Transform an old bar cart into something stunning
Found it here >> Addison Meadows Lane
Raskog carts may be all the rage right now… but this vintage cart is much prettier to look at!
Give old folding chairs a new lease of life
Found it here >> Punk Projects
Look out for secondhand fabric while you’re picking up your furniture pieces! Old clothes, bedding, tablecloths, curtains etc can all be used to reupholster your flea market finds.
Turn an empty globe stand into a paper towel holder
Found it here >> Lovely etc
This is super clever and the perfect way to use that old globe stand.
Upcycle a boring old chair with decoupaged map
Found it here >> HGTV
Maps are so interesting to look at that they shouldn’t be hidden away in drawers. What better way to help your kiddos with their geography skills than with these fabulous map-covered chairs!
Distress an old crate and turn it into craft storage
Found it here >> Somerset Place
Whether you want to store washi tape or spools of thread you can’t go wrong with an upcycled crate.
Transform an old soda crate into a portable coffee station
Found it here >> Two Shades of Pink
We love soda crate makeovers and this one is the perfect addition to your home coffee station!
Tranform vintage flea market finds with house paint
Found it here >> My Colortopia
I love the distressed paint effect on this hall table.
Transform vintage cake pans into kitchen wall storage
Found it here >> Prodigal Pieces
Next time your granny offers you her vintage cake pans say yes!
Update your flea market finds with a can of spray paint
Found it here >> Home Talk
Sometimes a makeover is as easy as a can of spray paint!
Repurpose an old nightstand as a printer unit
Found it here >> For Rent
This is such a clever way to take an old unwanted nightstand and turn it into something modern and useful!
Upcycle an old coffee table into stylish entryway benches
Found it here >> 320 Sycamore
If you’re creating a mudroom in your home your eyes probably watered at the price of benches. But look what you can do with an old coffee table!
Transform a throwaway chair into something SUPER stylish – with paint!
Found it here >> Artsy Chicks Rule
Wow just look at the before and after picture for this gorgeous chair! Click through to find out how you can makeover a chair with paint.
Turn an old dresser into a fabulous TV stand
Found it here >> Michelle J Designs
Modern tv stands never seem to have enough room for all the gadgets and gizmos you need. The best bit about repurposing an old dresser instead is you can design it to fit your personal needs!
Turn a chicken feeder into a plate stand
Click play to watch the video and find out how to turn a chicken feeder into a plate stand.
Flip those old window shutters into a stylish headboard
Found it here >> Michelle J Designs
Here’s another way to repurpose old shutters, this time as a stylish and contemporary headboard.
Repurpose a door knob into a photo holder
Click play to watch the video and discover how to turn a beautiful antique door knob into a photo holder.
Take a footboard from a bed and transform it into a china display shelf for your kitchen
Found it here >> Hometalk
This makeover is seriously clever… old bed becomes… kitchen organizer!
Turn a round tiered table into a fancy coffee station
Found it here >> Michelle J Designs
Such a simple but very clever way of adding more storage into your kitchen without breaking the bank.
Transform an old cabinet into a recycling station
Found it here >> Sawdust 2 Stitches
Speaking of kitchen storage, if you are dreaming of a kitchen island with built-in recycling but your budget won’t stretch that far you need to click through and check out this makeover!
Take an old washtub and turn it into a kitchen island
Found it here >> Magazine Your Home
Speaking of kitchen islands… here’s a clever way to reuse a bath tub!
Turn vintage side tables into fancy footrests
Found it here >> Michelle J Designs
Once upon a time they were a pair of tables, but with a bit of imagination you can turn them into footstools!
Use vintage crates as storage boxes
Found it here >> Robb Restyle
You can never have too many vintage crates in your home, so snap them up whenever you see them!
Turn an old night stand into a gorgeous play kitchen!
Found it here >> Bubblestitch Quilts
How clever is this for a repurposed furniture project? Once it was a nightstand, now it’s a gorgeous DIY play kitchen any child would be happy to play with, and so much nicer (and cheaper) than a modern plastic one!
Info on this page:
- What does repurposed furniture mean?
- What’s the best place to find furniture to repurpose?
- Is it hard to upcycle furntiure?
- Best books on upcycling furniture
- What’s the best furniture to upcycle?
- Can you make money upcycling furniture?
- What do you need to repurpose furniture?
- What can I make with old furniture?