Over time, your furniture can become worn or damaged. Normally, you would go out and buy a new piece of furniture to replace it, but that costs money. Fortunately, you have some options when it comes to refreshing the look of your furniture and can even make it look like new in some cases.
Some of the options available to you, if you do decide to spruce up your old furniture, is to refinish the surface, apply some paint, or add details, among other helpful hacks. By using these hacks you can repair damaged furniture, make it shine, or even give it a whole new look.
Best of all, many of these furniture hacks use materials that you might have within your own home. So, the next time you want to replace an old piece of furniture, save some money and use these hacks instead to make it look brand new.
1) Use Chalk
If you have an oil or grease stain on the cushions of your couch, you can use chalk to remove it. Rub the piece of chalk across the stained fabric. The chalk should soak up the oil or grease, allowing you to wipe it up with a clean cloth. Once the stain is gone, let the fabric air dry.
Source:
Stain Removal 101
2) Embellish It
Another great way to dress up your furniture is to embellish it. Whether you use cheap gold thumbtacks or more expensive nail head trim, embellishing your older items of furniture can make them look like a more expensive piece. Find out more at Decor Hacks.
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Decor Hacks
3) Use Milk Paint
Milk paint, which is made from actual milk, gives your old furniture a colorful appearance while also making it look distressed. Distressing is the newest fad in furniture nowadays. For more on how to use milk paint to jazz up your furniture, check out Just Measuring Up.
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UpcycledWorld
4) Use WD-40
WD-40 is a great leather conditioner. WD-40 can soften the leather on your furniture, as well as clean and protect. To apply, spray it on and buff with a soft, clean cloth. The WD-40 can also remove any stains, making your furniture look like new.
Source:
Reader's Digest
5) Use Mayonnaise
Moisture can really do a number on wood furniture, leaving unsightly rings that are hard to remove. An easy way to remove a ring from your tabletop or other item is to use mayonnaise. Dab some mayo on the ring and allow it to sit for an hour before wiping it up with a clean cloth.
Source:
Today's Homeowner
6) Use Bottle Caps
Attaching bottle caps to a small wood tabletop is another great project to spice up your old furniture. All you need is some glue, around 200 bottle caps, an old, small IKEA table, a piece of 1/2-inch plywood, and other items. Find out how to do this project at My So Called Crafty Life.
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My So Called Crafty Life
7) Clean With Oil Soap and Warm Water
To ensure that you get the best repair on your wood furniture, make sure to clean the piece with warm water and oil soap before attempting to repair. First, remove any dust or debris with a broom or dust mop, and then wipe down the piece of furniture using the oil soap, warm water, and a clean cloth. Allow the piece of furniture to dry fully before attempting to repair.
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The Home Depot
8) Whitewash Wood Furniture
To really make a piece of old furniture stand out, try whitewashing it. To whitewash, remove the stain and then apply a coat of whitewash with a brush, adding multiple layers if desired. Check out Home-Dzine for how to complete this fantastic project.
Source:
Classy Widgets
9) Use Bleach
If you have old stained or dingy white plastic patio furniture, use bleach to restore its brightness. Pour 1/4-cup of bleach in a bucket of hot water and scrub the furniture using a scrub brush. Make sure to wear gloves as the bleach can harm your skin.
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Homeyou
10) Distress the Surface
Another way to upgrade the look of your old furniture is to embrace the imperfections it’s picked up over its lifetime by distressing it. To distress your furniture, paint over the wood with a color of your choice and then scrub it with a sponge or piece of sandpaper. You can also create contrast by painting a second color over the top, which allows the bottom color to bleed through.
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MinettesMaze
11) Dip Dye Your Furniture
An easy way to give an old chair a little color is to dip its legs into paint. To keep the paint from getting where you don’t want it to, use painter’s tape. Allow the paint to dry and rub some Tung oil over the whole piece of furniture to restore the wood color. You can find out more at Refunk My Junk.
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DIY Projects
12) Use Lemon Oil
For surface scratches only, mix lemon juice and vegetable oil at a ratio of one to one. Moisten a clean, dry cloth with the mixture and aplly to the scratch, rubbing firmly until you can no longer see it.
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Organic Facts
13) Use Lemon
If your furniture has dingy copper knobs or handles, then use lemon juice to clean them. Simply mix 1/2 squeezed lemon juice with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Rub the solution into the copper with a clean cloth, wiping away once clean.
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Pinterest
14) Use Nail Polish
If you have a damaged varnish surface on your furniture, use nail polish to fill in the damaged area. Allow to dry for about 10 minutes and follow up with sanding with fine sandpaper to flatten and smooth the area.Apply wax and buff with a soft, clean cloth.
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Pinterest
15) Remove Rust Spots
An easy way to remove rust from your outdoor furniture and grill is to use a little lemon juice. Simply rub a cut lemon over the rusted area and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Next, use a scouring pad to remove the rust. Follow this up by applying some rust-resistant paint.
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Lifehacker
16) Cross Stitch Your Furniture
If you have an old piece of furniture with cane webbing, cross stitch in some bright colors to give it a modern look. For the colored pattern, use multiple colors of yarn. You can find out more about this wonderful project at My Poppet.
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My Poppet
17) Use Rubbing Alcohol or Nail Polish Remover
To get rid of scratches on a shellac or lacquer use rubbing alcohol for shellac and finger nail polish remover for lacquer. To remove scratches, use a small brush to apply the thinner. This should cause the surface to soften, filling in the scratch.
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ThoughtCo.
18) Use Hair Conditioner
If you have a dingy stainless steel furniture, use hair conditioner to restore its shine. Simply rub the conditioner on the stainless steel surface using a damp cloth to restore its shine. Buff the stainless surface with a clean, dry cloth.
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Milton's Furniture
19) Use Leather Belts
If you ever find yourself with an old chair and some belts, make a leather belt chair. Start by attaching belts one way from one side to the other of the chair, attaching them to each side using wood screws and a drill. Next, attach belts going the other way, threading them through the belts to create a weave. For more on this project, check out Sally Annk.
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Sally Annk
20) Use Liquid Leather
Liquid leather is a miracle substance which can repair small to medium tears, cuts, and cracks in your leather furniture. When buying Liquid Leather or other leather repair products, you have a choice of a few types, those that go on cold and those that you must heat.
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Inch-Lane
21) Add Details
Adding small details, such as knobs and handles on drawers, or throw pillows to a chair or couch can really change up the look of your furniture. You can find small items, such as knobs, at your local hardware store, or even on an old piece of furniture.
Source:
So Much Better With Age
22) Apply Wallpaper to Your Furniture
Applying wallpaper to your furniture is another good way to refresh its look. All you need is some waterproof wallpaper in a design that you like, some wallpaper glue, scissors, a brush, a ruler, a piece of fabric, and a small precision blade for cutting. Check out Akamatra for the full tutorial.
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akamatra
23) How to Fix Deep Scratches in Your Furniture
To fix deeper scratches you can use either nut meat, shoe polish, colored pencils, or wood stain. To use the nut meet, rub it across the scratched area. For all other color agents use a small paint brush. Apply the color while following the direction of the scratch. Apply a wax or polish to restore the finish.
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ask Sarah
24) Use Decoupage
Decoupage is a technique that uses glue and paper cutouts to cover an object. What better item to decoupage than an old piece of furniture. This technique can give your furniture new life, especially if combined with a little paint. Check out Our Nerd Life for more info.
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our Nerd home
25) Use Chalk Board Paint
Add a little chalkboard paint to any surface and give it a double purpose. Not only does this renew the look of your furniture, it also giving your kids a place to draw. In addition to keeping the kids occupied, you can use the surface if needed to leave yourself reminders.
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Neapolitan Family
26) Use Tea Bags
Tea bags provide another way to remove scratches from wood furniture. Start by soaking the tea bags in hot water. Next, dip a cotton swab into the tea and apply it to the area of the scratch. Repeat as many times as needed to darken the area of the scratch.
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Yahoo
27) Use a Furniture Repair Marker
You can sue a furniture repair marker on wood furniture with a deep crack or scratch. Repair markers also work great when removing stubborn stains. When using a furniture repair marker, make sure to match upo the color of the marker with that of the furniture before using.
Source:
It's All Goods
28) Use Coffee
Another great way to cover up scratches in wood furniture with darker tones is to use ground coffee. Dip a cotton swab into some moist coffee grounds and apply to the scratch. Wait at least 10 minutes and then wipe the wood surface with a dry cloth.
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New England Today
29) Use Stencils
A little chalk-finish paint and stencils can go a long way toward livening up an old piece of wood furniture. You can find the paints and stencils at your local home improvement store. In addition, you can find the tutorial for this fun project at Crafts by Amanda.
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Crafts by Amanda
30) Use a Walnut
If you have small scratches in the surface of your wood furniture, you can rub a pealed walnut half on the surface to make them disappear. Start by rubbing the walnut along the scratch a few times and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Follow this by a good polishing using a soft, clean cloth.
Source:
Wonder how To
31) Use a Crayon
Another way to fill a deep scratch is to use a crayon. Grate part of a crayon into a small bowl and melt the wax by placing the bowl in a pan of boiling water. Place the melted wax into the scratch using a putty knife and smooth it out. You might need to mix the colors to get the right match for the wood of the furniture.
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Freepik
32) Use Water and an Iron
To remove dents from wood furniture, use an iron. Start by pouring water over the dent, followed by an old towel or shirt. Next, apply heat to the area using an iron. The heat should make the wood expand and pop out the dent. If needed, sand the area slightly using sandpaper.
Source:
The Pintestring Truth
33) Put on a Slipcover
If you have the ability to sew, then making your own DIY slipcover is a great way to update the look of your old furniture. An old canvas drop cloth is perfect to use as the fabric. Then it is a matter of gluing the fabric in place over the chair and stitching the seams together. Check out this tutorial at DIY Network.
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DIY Network
34) Paint the Surface of Your Furniture
To brighten up the surface of an old piece of wood furniture, such as a desk, paint it in a bright color. Don’t forget to polish the surface of your furniture once the paint has dried to give it a cheery look. Use a furniture wax product and a soft cloth to polish the furniture to a glossy finish.
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That Winsome Girl
35) Glue Tile to The Your Furniture
Even if your tabletop is damaged beyond repair, you do have a solution to make it look like new. Attach tiles to the surface of your table using adhesive. When picking tiles for your tabletop, try to find some in the same colors as your decor. You can even use broken tiles for a mosaic look.
Source:
Homedit
36) Use Petroleum Jelly
For small scratches, smear some petroleum jelly over the area and allow it to sit overnight. The petroleum jelly might help the wood to plum out some, filling in the scratch. Wipe the petroleum jelly away and polish the area in the morning.
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I Should be Mopping the Floor
37) Use Coconut Oil
For faded wood en furniture all you need is a little coconut oil. By rubbing coconut oil on your furniture, you can restore most of its color. When applying, rub the coconut on in a circular motion using a dry, clean cloth.
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Huffington Post
38) Apply Stain to Your Furniture
A good way to update the look of your wood furniture while saving money at the same time is to stain it. All you need for this DIY project is an oil-based stain, some wood conditioner, a brush or rag, a piece of furniture, and a little know-how. For more on how to stain your own furniture, check out DIY Network.
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DIY Network
39) Reupholster Your Furniture
If you have an old office chair at work or in your home office, renew its look by reupholstering it. Before proceeding, make sure to pick a color that matches your office decor. To find out more about this simple projects, visit Love Grows Wild for more information.
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Love Grows Wild
40) Use Oil and Vinegar
Cleaning your old wooden furniture using a mixture of oil and vinegar can make it look brand new. Apply a mixture of 3/4 cup of white vinegar and a 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil with a cheese cloth. This mixture can even be used to remove light water damage.
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Simplemost
While old and damaged furniture might leave you seeking to buy something to replace it with, you can repair it so that it is almost as good as new. Here are some great ways to make your old, beat up furniture look brand new.