One of my favorite ways to elevate a home is by giving new life to old furniture. Thrift stores and resale shops are full of solid wood pieces with great bones; they just need a little vision (and some elbow grease).
For this project, I found two vintage wooden filing cabinets at Habitat for Humanity. They were sturdy but dark, heavy and very dated. With a few intentional updates, they were transformed into stylish storage pieces that feel light, modern and completely custom. I use them as bedside tables in my primary bedroom.
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:
- Wooden filing cabinets (or similar solid wood furniture)
- Tools to remove hardware
- Sanding block or eclectic sander
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
- High-quality paint or chalk paint
- Paintbrush and/or paint roller
- Spray paint for hardware (or new hardware)
- Polyurethane (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Start by removing all drawer pulls and hardware. This makes painting easier and gives you the opportunity to completely change the look with a simple update.
- Prep for paint: Lightly sand (or scuff sand) the lower portion of the cabinets. You don’t need to strip them down to bare wood; just rough up the surface enough for the paint to adhere properly. Wipe away dust with a clean cloth.
- Paint the cabinets: Work in thin, even coats and allow proper drying time between layers. Quality paint makes a big difference here and helps avoid brush marks. Chalk paint is also a good option when painting on old, varnished surfaces. I sanded the tops of my cabinets to reveal the original light wood and coated with polyurethane to seal them.
- Refresh the hardware: While the paint dries, spray paint the hardware. Apply light coats and let the pieces fully cure before reinstalling. This small change instantly modernizes the piece. You can buy new hardware, but make sure you get the right sizes or you will have to fill the old holes and create new ones.
- Reinstall hardware: After everything is fully dry, reattach the gold hardware and admire your transformed furniture.
Upcycling furniture isn’t just budget friendly. It’s a way to create one-of-a-kind pieces that bring character and story into your home. Several places on the Coast sell vintage and used furniture, and with a little creativity, even something as utilitarian as a filing cabinet can become a beautiful design feature.
UPCYCLING TIPS FOR FURNITURE SUCCESS
- Look for good bones. Solid wood pieces are always worth saving. Scratches, dark finishes and outdated hardware are easy fixes.
- Mix finishes for balance. Combining painted surfaces with natural wood keeps upcycled furniture from looking flat and adds a designer touch.
