For the bedroom of this apartment in Zamoskvorechye, designer Vera Vasilenko designed a special dressing table. However, it was too expensive to make it to order. Then the author of the project took a table and a chest of drawers from IKEA, combined them into one design, added a glass tabletop and elegant handles that unite the ensemble. In the end, I got about what I originally intended, but five times cheaper.
And this long chest of drawers in the living room is assembled from two IKEA modules of the BESTO series, which was installed on a copper-colored platform made of furniture board. The role of the legs is played by balusters (also copper-colored), and the doors are sheets of plywood.
“Build on” with a new element
If a simple MALM from IKEA looks boring, complement it with a bright “distracting” element. Like, for example, the green console in the bedroom in the photo. It seems that this is a single design, but don’t believe your eyes: the designers came up with the console themselves and ordered it from carpenters.
Hands off
It would seem that this is one of the most “hackneyed” techniques for reviving interiors with IKEA furniture: replacing standard furniture handles with new, non-standard ones. This is something worth hunting for at flea markets when in Europe. But also in ordinary furniture stores there is something to choose from. The owners wanted to repaint this “HEMNES” chest of drawers in the bedroom in the photo, but then they bought the handles at a sale at Zara home and realized that there was no need to change anything else.
And in this children's room, the parents complemented the HEMNES chest of drawers with handles bought at a bazaar in Israel. And immediately everything fell into place - the hand-painted painting on the wall, the Dagestan carpet, and the scarlet IKEA chest of drawers.
Hand-made leather handles
Look at the smooth facade of "HEMNES" - how perfectly it is decorated with leather handles. You can make them yourself by cutting pieces from an old belt. The abrasion will only benefit the handles. There is no belt - leather can be bought in both handicraft and sewing stores. Suitable material used in the production of bags.
Tip: It is better to fasten the leather to the front wall of the drawer not with a screw, but with a furniture bolt - the nut will not allow you to pull out the handle.
Surface stickers
And again an old friend - the MALM chest of drawers from IKEA, decorated with vinyl stickers with a classic pattern (meander). Stickers for walls (furniture, refrigerators) are available in online stores. They cost about 700 rubles for a strip of 100x30 cm. None additional protection they do not need it, although some Old Believers masters cover all decor with transparent varnish. There's no point, but it won't get any worse. It is much more important to carefully smooth the sticker during the gluing process so that there are no “bubbles”.
Tip: When you get tired of the decor, remove vinyl sticker it will be a little difficult. You shouldn’t rub it with a rag - you’ll ruin the façade and the chest of drawers will need to be restored. Direct a hot stream of air from a hairdryer onto the vinyl, and after a couple of minutes it will begin to come off. Traces are erased with anti-freeze or white spirit.
Stencil
To get the same pattern without any vinyl, you can paint the drawer fronts using a stencil and acrylic paint. Here we don’t forget about primer and varnish. You can order a stencil to be made or cut out yourself using a breadboard knife made of thick cardboard or plastic. If you need a “worn effect”, you can use imprint technology. For example, cut out an ornament on a strip of linoleum, using a cutter to clean off those areas on a soft substrate where paint is not needed. We applied paint to the cut out silhouette and pressed it.
Sometimes you don’t even need a special stencil—mounting tape is enough (cover those fragments that should remain unpainted). And pay attention to the black edging around the perimeter of the chest of drawers.
By painting, facades can be given volumetric view. We recommend cutting out a cardboard stencil over the entire surface of the box and pressing it firmly against the front using masking tape.
Tip: The ornament is usually painted with acrylic paints, and the entire facade is covered with latex. If you need to leave the texture of wood, choose stains and glaze paints.
Repaint the facades
See what "LEKSVIK" looks like in mint tones against the background of a lavender wall. Painting an entire chest of drawers is not so easy (to be equally impressive). Before painting, the chest of drawers must be completely disassembled and the fittings removed. Unpainted solid wood furniture should be sanded sandpaper- by hand or using a grinder. For wood coated with varnish or wax, stripping is necessary, otherwise the paint will not adhere. If you've already tried to paint an IKEA chest of drawers and failed, no problem. Footprints old paint can also be removed with sandpaper or car wash.
The sanded surface must be primed. If you neglect the primer, more paint will be lost and stains may appear. Up to three layers of paint are applied, depending on the degree of your joy. Each layer is sanded with fine sandpaper, the top one is varnished. All materials are sold in construction hypermarkets and handicraft stores.
Contrast method
Sometimes it is more profitable not to touch the facades, but to decorate the tabletop and sides in contrasting shades. A good example- this "HEMNES" in the photo.
Outside and inside
Designer Marina Grigoryan repainted this Ikea "LEKSKVIK" chest of drawers in bright colors - both outside and inside. Gray-blue shades were chosen for accents in the project, so the standard light brown color did not fit.
In different colors
Bedroom interiors from IKEA are not at all uncommon. The apartment of Ana and Patrick Kamin from San Francisco is also full of items from the Swedish brand, but they are not striking. Instead of bedside tables, for example, pine chests of drawers "RAST" were used - the cheapest in the Ikea line. The owner painted the fronts of the drawers in different colors, some halfway, to imitate a larger number of departments. The “female” chest of drawers is distinguished by pink shades, the “male” chest is distinguished by blue and White color A. Standard wooden handles replaced with new ones, three different types- brass and ceramic.
Another Ikea chest of drawers, “TARVA,” is decorated in the same style as the “men’s” nightstand in the Kamin family’s bedroom. Only the lower facade does not have a wood texture, but is soft blue. So inspired by the ocean.
Gradient
Arranging drawers in several rows can be used to repaint a chest of drawers more effectively. For example, apply the gradient method (also called “ombre”): smooth transition from darker to lighter shade.
You can use three shades of paint and three types of self-adhesive film.
Pastel
A soft but original sound is provided by a combination of pastel tones, gray shades and the color of baked milk. The main thing is that the colors are sufficiently whitened and muted. Brightness will kill all this magical haze.
Walk along the contour
It is not necessary to repaint the entire chest of drawers to fit it into the interior. For example, paint only the edgings and contours of the drawers in the color of the walls, as in the photo of the LEKSVIK chest of drawers. This technique allows you to maintain the freshness of white in the setting and make the composition three-dimensional: the chest of drawers and the wall seem to fall into each other.
Shabby chic
Denis and Olga Miroshnichenko from Zvenigorod decided to make a bright children's room. The walls were painted in several colors; the LEKSVIK chest of drawers with six drawers was also supposed to be multi-colored. The hosts committed main mistake newbie - they didn’t remove the stain and acrylic lacquer, which cover most IKEA chests of drawers.
The acrylic paint did not absorb into the wood, it had to be washed off - the result was a “worn-out” chest of drawers in the shabby chic style. The owners decided to leave it that way.
Splashes and drips
Splashes, drops and drips are a popular trend in interior design. Abstract flows and splashes look no worse than patterns on wallpaper. This painting is very expressive, so it looks good in small areas.
The metal wardrobe-chest of the IKEA PS series in the photo echoes the color of the sofa, and the manner of execution - the main picture in the interior. If you repeat, choose enamel for metal. For decoration wooden facade splash paints are better suited to water based, and for drips - viscous, latex and oil. The owners decorated the chest of drawers in the photo with green streaks with their own hands.
IKEA glam
The loft apartment of Naomi Stein from Philadelphia is decorated in an eclectic style: modern, classic, and chinoiserie. Against a light background, black details contrast brightly - unsewn pipes, a cabinet in oriental style… Stop! It reminds me of something... That's right, it's a pair of repainted RAST chests of drawers, upgraded with fittings and decorative corners to resemble noble metal. Black color, glossy varnish and gilded details create a completely “non-Ikea” style.
There is a shelf above the chests of drawers, inside of which remote controls and other TV equipment are hidden.
Carnation numbers
Artist Tina Sindal from Swedish Norrköping most I remade the furniture in the apartment with my own hands. Almost a feat, considering that the whole decor is in the spirit of Art Deco. To make from a chest of drawers unique item, the artist decorated a low Ikea wardrobe with ornate patterns using furniture nails. Decorative nails with round heads are used for upholstery and fastening rear walls. There are many types of them - with and without relief, in brass, bronze, gold, etc. They cost from 90 rubles for 50 pieces. Sold in construction and furniture stores. The main thing is that the length of the nail does not exceed the thickness of the facade.
If you don’t create ornate patterns, then even a beginner can use HEMNES nails around the perimeter.
Mirror facades
If the drawer fronts are made mirrored, even a large chest of drawers will not look like a “hippopotamus” in the interior. On the contrary, it will add light and volume. Order mirror panels from glass workshops. Immediately ask to process the edges so that they are safe. Instead of mirrors, you can use self-adhesive aluminum and copper foil. Sold in art and DIY stores. It costs from 500 rubles for 10 sheets of 20x30 cm. The one produced for thermal insulation is also suitable, but still mirror tiles looks "richer".
Cuts instead of handles + changing cover
Corina Schadendorf and Philipp Langenheim from Berlin decided to make a changing chest from the same TARVA model. They completely abandoned the handles, simply enlarging the holes using a drill. Added a changing board on top. The top drawer of the dresser was painted acrylic enamel in a gentle turquoise, and the rest of the chest of drawers, except for the middle drawer, is a warm gray shade.
Lay parquet
If painted facades look too cold, they can be covered with natural wood, or they can be completely replaced with a piece of panel parquet or boards. In trend and wood mosaic when the surface is covered with multi-colored dies or slats made of recycled wood. Glue wood onto Chipboard is better using wood glue or the one on which the parquet is laid.
Wallpaper
To prevent the interior with IKEA furniture from looking boring, in this project the IKEA facades were covered with remnants of wallpaper, and the panel space, table top and sides were painted in the color of the diamond on this wallpaper. The furniture immediately took on the appearance of an object with history.
What is important: You cannot glue wallpaper over varnish and enamel. First you need to remove them with sandpaper. The varnish can also be scraped off with a spatula by heating it with a hair dryer. After cleaning, the chest of drawers needs to be sanded and primed. Wallpaper glue will work, but PVA holds better. Washable wallpaper does not need to be varnished on top, but the rest is preferable. If you don't want a glossy shine, take a matte varnish. The insides of a cabinet or chest of drawers can be pasted over to match the walls.
translation for you
Decoupage paper is another alternative: you can transfer any image to the facade - a photo, a clipping from their magazine, etc. Apply a thin layer of gel medium (varnish, decoupage glue), put the photo on it front side and smooth it out carefully. Leave for 8-10 hours. Then we wet the paper with a wet sponge and erase it with our fingers. We add gloss: soft paraffin or varnish - as desired. The best translations are obtained from archival black and white photographs.
Accent wall
If the chest of drawers spoils the view accent wall, just hide it under similar trim. Use the remnants of the same wallpaper, or, if you used other materials, imitate their design with paint. Mounting tape will help to achieve a neat joint.
Hand painted
This chest of drawers “RAST” was painted by hand by decorator Oksana Panteleeva. She first painted it white, then transferred a sketch onto each of the three facades using carbon paper, and then painted it with gray acrylic paint. If you are going to put a wooden chest of drawers in the bathroom, do not forget about the varnish.
Dress the chest of drawers
One of the most unusual transformations of the TARVA chest of drawers. Textile decoration is a separate area of occupational therapy. Tabletops covered with Pavloposad scarves can deprive an impressionable person of sleep. But in the case of IKEA furniture, upholstery can work for the benefit of the interior. Textiles make any shape softer and more comfortable.
There are two ways to decorate a chest of drawers with fabric - paste it over and cover it. In the first case, each surface is glued separately, the fabric is cut with allowances for hems. Apply PVA or wallpaper glue to the façade, iron the fabric over it, and fold it in, carefully closing the corners. The thinner the fabric, the more likely it will turn yellow over time - it will not be possible to wash it. Therefore, it is better to choose thicker textiles and protect the fabric on top with varnish. The second way is to cover the parts with fabric and secure them from the inside using a stapler or wallpaper nails. You can even put a thin layer of foam rubber under the fabric - then the chest of drawers will be completely unrecognizable. It is better to use special upholstery fabric.
Crackle
This chest of drawers "RAST" has changed not only appearance, but also height - the model was placed on vintage legs. The owner of the chest of drawers, Christine, first covered the “carcass” with white paint, and the fronts of the drawers with yellow. However, the furniture looked too modern, so Christine modified the yellow parts using the crackle technique, only instead of real cracks, she imitated “wrinkles” using glue and white slats.
However, the pattern can be simpler and more youthful than crackle. A simple diagonal layout, like the IKEA shoe rack in the photo, is enough.
Together
This nice IKEA chest of drawers in the hallway of a young family from St. Petersburg is covered with paintings, complemented with panels and accessories, painted in some places, and aged in others.
Another combined option: multi-colored drawers, eclectic fittings, frames as chest of drawers decor and a spectacular rope handle. The latter are sold in many interior stores. Don’t overpay: drill holes to match the diameter of the rope, thread it and secure it with knots from the inside. Jute rope costs from 40 rubles per meter.
Do you see the chest of drawers? And he is!
Perhaps the most skillful way to hide an IKEA chest of drawers in the interior is in the photo. The owners built it into a large vintage cabinet - not so much for aesthetic reasons, but for better organization space. The closet still turned out to be too wide for the staircase in the entrance. It had to be disassembled and reassembled in the apartment.
Soviet-era furniture - walls, cabinets, chests of drawers - is not beautiful, but reliable and strong. Well, I just can’t bring myself to take it to the landfill. And rightly so. It is very easy to update it, giving it a completely new sound and modern look. Remaking cabinet-type furniture may not be very difficult: there are materials that can significantly change the appearance with little effort. Most easy way— change color and accessories. Everything is clear with the fittings - choose what suits your style best, and the color can be changed in two ways - paint and glue film (or wallpaper).
Remaking an old wall: changing the design
Covering old furniture with self-adhesive film is the easiest option for changing the decor. Today, film is available both plain and colored, in different colors, textures and shades. There is no point in gluing a film with a wood pattern; otherwise, it is in trend today. But plain or with a pattern - this is what can turn an old wall into new furniture. The steps are simple, but the work requires care. But the result is excellent. See two photos. The first one shows the old Soviet wall before the renovation, the second one shows it after.
Updating an old furniture wall - before and after
Now about how it was updated. Compacted furniture self-adhesive film was used, cream color, matte surface. Open part old wall They closed it with glass doors and used a translucent matte film for the glass. The edging is furniture layout (also self-adhesive) chrome color. The order of work is as follows:
- Everything that can be removed, you remove and disassemble. Remove old fittings.
- Surfaces must be clean and free of grease. This is easier to achieve with a soft cloth soaked in dishwashing detergent. Then everything is washed away warm water with a little vinegar. Wipe with a dry cloth.
- Cut out the details. It is better to cut the film 8-10 mm larger. The remains are then cut off with a paper knife.
- Spray the part to be glued with water from a spray bottle. On a wet surface, the film can be moved if something goes wrong. You can even peel it off without damaging it.
- After removing the protective layer from the film, carefully lay it out. Once leveled, begin to smooth soft cloth from the middle to the edges. Try not to have any bubbles. To do this, you need to move gradually, without jumping from place to place.
- If there is still a bubble, you can pierce it with a thin needle approximately in the middle. Then expel air from the edges of the bubble to the hole and rub the puncture site.
- Having glued the film, take a clean thin cotton cloth, spread it on top and iron it with a warm iron (medium heat).
- We glue the trim and install new handles.
This is the sequence of work with every detail. It’s the same with glass, you just need to glue it to the inner surface. After assembly you have a renewed wall. This technique can be used for any item: chest of drawers, bedside tables, wardrobe, etc.
For example, after a successful experiment with the wall, they redid it in the same way old wardrobe and added it to the right. Now the entire wall is occupied. You can update your kitchen set in the same way: apply self-adhesive film and replace the handles.
There is a second way. It is a modification of the proposed method, but it is simpler and not so labor-intensive. Only the doors are covered, not with film, but with non-woven wallpaper. The wallpaper is glued with PVA glue. To prevent the edges from riding up, the parts are cut 5 mm smaller on all sides. It turns out a kind of edging. Everything looks good (example in the photo below).
What's good about this method: it's easy to change the decor. Tired of the old appearance, they tore off the wallpaper and put on new ones. Despite the fact that the method seems frivolous, the appearance is maintained for several years. Its author even tried it on kitchen set. Only the wallpaper on top is coated twice with PVA glue. In this case, the cabinets can be washed. It is important to apply the varnish layer evenly, without sagging; there are no other difficulties.
Sometimes wallpaper is varnished. But before you do this, try it on a scrap piece: see how they react to it.
When choosing a varnish, you need to remember that acrylic and cellulose varnishes remain transparent after drying, while polyurethane varnishes turn yellow after time. Also, polyurethane is almost not softened by solvents: it can only be removed mechanically (from wood - cleaned with sandpaper).
Dresser update
The old chest of drawers had stood for who knows how many years in the attic, but it was very strong and reliable, it had not dried out one bit, only the polish was cracked. It is much stronger than modern products. This is a feature that is inherent in old, Soviet-era furniture. It is not very detailed (to put it mildly), but after standing for several decades in bad conditions, remains strong. Remaking a chest of drawers is more complex: two techniques were used: painting, and then decorating using polyurethane moldings and wallpaper.
Step 1. We remove the fittings and remove the old coating. In some places the polishing was scraped off, in others it was sanded with sandpaper. The chips were covered with wood putty and waited until it dried. At the final stage, everything was cleaned with fine-grain sandpaper. At the same time, the chest of drawers became the same as in the photo below.
This is after it was puttied and leveled with sandpaper
Step 2. Installation of polyurethane moldings. When choosing moldings, make sure that they are not bulky: too thick ones will look very rough on a small chest of drawers. They should be no wider than 5 cm and as narrow as possible when looking at them in profile.
The purchased polyurethane moldings were carefully cut, the corners were filed at 45°. (). The pattern match must be perfect. We glue them on PVA. For reliability, you can additionally secure it with screws with wide heads. A small recess is made under them, after the self-tapping screw is screwed in, the hole is covered with putty. Try to ensure that the putty immediately lays down perfectly (you can correct it with a wet finger), since it is problematic to clean off dried putty.
Moldings are glued and mounted on self-tapping screws
Step 3. Everything is treated with a primer. You can use PVA glue diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2. After the primer dries, paint (two layers). For this case, water-based acrylic paint was chosen. The color is coffee with milk, although it looks completely different in the photo. Color rendering is inaccurate.
This is after the second application of paint. Cute
Step 4. For decoration, wallpaper was chosen whose coating was made using the silk-screen printing technique. Pieces are cut to the size of the inside of the frames from the moldings and glued to PVA. After the glue has dried, the entire chest of drawers is coated twice with water-based varnish.
Step 5. And the last to be installed are new legs (furniture wheels) and handles.
We install the handles and legs)) The updated chest of drawers is completely different from the one you saw in the first photo.
As you can see, complex work No. Everything is really elementary. But all processes require accuracy - the appearance depends on it. You can also update an old wardrobe in the same way. Get a set for the room. Stylish and original.
When updating furniture, the worst thing is if the surface is varnished. The varnish takes a long time and is difficult to remove. If the surface is smooth and the polishing is not damaged, you can apply primer for complex surfaces and paint after drying. This greatly speeds up the process of painting lacquered furniture.
If you have children and a cottage or yard, you may be interested in reading with a lot of photos. And about
How to update an old nightstand
In the photo gallery below you can see the process of restoring an old polished bedside table. First, the old polish was removed from it, puttyed, sanded and after processing it was painted twice with acrylic paint. Then paper with an interesting design was glued to the doors (it was a gift paper bag). Once dry, the whole thing was coated with two coats of semi-gloss acrylic varnish.
The sequence of work is not difficult if you know how to do it. All processes will repeat the sequence of actions that you saw in the example of updating the chest of drawers. The result is also impressive.
Remodeling furniture with your own hands is a painstaking task, but the result is worth it. Below is a photo of a bedside table restored using a simple method: it is covered with embossed wallpaper, and varnish is applied twice on top.
Table makeover
Using the same technology, banal Coffee table can be turned into a modern piece of furniture. In this case, it was covered with wrapping paper. It is dense, adheres well and does not become limp when applying varnish.
Before starting work on decorating the table top, the legs of the old table and the edges of the table top were painted light color: this way it fits better with the new design style. Then the process of its transformation began.
When pasting, the panel is cut out significantly larger than the dimensions of the tabletop. It's necessary. The paper is glued to PVA and rolled with a roller so that there are no lumps or blisters. The surface must be absolutely smooth.
After gluing, take sandpaper with fine grain (it is more convenient to work if it is attached to a block). By running it along the edge, they bend and at the same time separate the excess paper.
Even cutting with a guillotine will not give you a fairly even edge. And with this method, it turns out professionally designed. There is no smell of amateur activity.
After the glue has dried, the surface is coated twice with a thin layer of varnish. It should be applied with a soft brush in a small amount. Layers are applied in different directions: first along the long side, then across.
Furniture remodeling: photo ideas
Remaking furniture with your own hands is a creative endeavor. Even something boring can be turned into something great. And it is not at all necessary to repeat exactly what you saw. A lot of useful ideas comes during the execution of the “project”. It’s just a pity that some of what was planned turns out to be not as attractive as it seemed. Try it, experiment. Good modern technologies allow this to be done at minimal cost.
Almost every family has preserved furniture inherited from previous generations. There is no way to get rid of it, since it is endowed with a special warmth of human emotions and is associated with pleasant moments. But, more often than not, it does not fit into the modern interior, and it doesn’t shine with novelty and freshness. How to be? How to give your favorite chest of drawers new life?
For novice craftsmen, a simple way to decorate a chest of drawers using acrylic paint is suitable.
All you need is desire, ideas and, of course, clear master classes. It’s quite possible to update an old but original chest of drawers with your own hands. The main thing is to follow some simple rules and, of course, put your soul into the remodeling.
So, before proceeding directly to decorating, the furniture must be freed, thoroughly wiped with a damp and then dry cloth, this will ensure better fixation. auxiliary elements, and the dyes will adhere better. Then remove all handles, corners and other metal elements; they will return to their places after completion of the work. These rules are the same for all update methods. Only after preparatory work You can start remodeling the chest of drawers.
Provence style
Beginning dresser remodelers will benefit from a simple and at the same time effective way of decorating using acrylic paint.
A chest of drawers updated in this way will fit perfectly into a Provence style interior. Lightness of textures, delicate shades, closeness to nature and deliberate negligence - all these style features will make the room cozy and touching.
To remodel the chest of drawers you will need:
- white acrylic paint;
- suitable brush;
- sandpaper.
The future Provence style chest of drawers needs to be freed from old paint or varnish using sandpaper. You don’t need to clean the surface particularly thoroughly; that’s the beauty of this remodel. Then, having wiped off all the resulting dust, you need to paint the furniture with white paint so that it lays down slightly carelessly - gaps and unevenness are welcome. The contrasting base, visible through the updated layer, will be especially chic. After the paint has completely dried, you need to partially re-process the chest of drawers with sandpaper, especially on protruding parts and corners. Let this interior detail look as if it has been used by more than one generation, as it actually is.
After you have finished decorating the chest of drawers with your own hands, you need to return the handles and other elements to their place. If they do not quite fit into the updated image of the chest of drawers, you can purchase other fittings that are more suitable. You can find interesting specimens in specialized stores and flea markets.
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Updating an old item
Similarly, it is easy and inexpensive to update old chest of drawers with your own hands so that it fits perfectly into any interior. But this option is only suitable for models with smooth drawer fronts. For carved furniture It is better to give preference to another method.
You will need:
- wallpaper similar to those with which the walls of the room are covered, or ideally in harmony with them;
- PVA glue;
- colorless furniture varnish.
The chest of drawers must be prepared; it is advisable to first coat it with varnish, which will act as a primer. While the furniture is drying, you need to prepare the wallpaper. Carefully measure and cut out pieces the right size. You need to cut the future coating carefully, as the slightest defects will be noticeable. You can also make small allowances so that the wallpaper partially covers the end of the box.
After the varnish has completely dried, you can begin gluing. It is better to apply PVA glue with a brush, quite generously. You need to glue quickly, but carefully, since if bubbles form or the pattern shifts, it will be difficult to correct the mistake. You can smooth the wallpaper with a new construction roller or a soft terry towel.
After the paper has dried, the updated chest of drawers must be coated with an additional layer of varnish, this will ensure the durability of the design.
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Pictures on the surface
The design on the chest of drawers should be harmoniously combined with the interior of the room.
We must not forget about such a wonderful invention of mankind as self-adhesive photo wallpaper. With their help, a chest of drawers with a smooth facade can be turned into a real work of art. The main thing is to choose a suitable image and carefully glue the film.
You can choose a picture based on the interior of the room or the general spirit of the house. In addition, you can turn your chest of drawers into a memorable photo album with your own hands. From the old and modern photos You can make a collage by adding your favorite pictures and views of nature. Such a chest of drawers will become an interior decoration and the true soul of the home.
Alas, you won’t be able to make such a picture yourself, but many printing workshops offer high-quality printing services on a self-adhesive basis. All you need to do is select a suitable image, imagine how it will look in an enlarged size and fit into the interior, transfer it to a suitable electronic medium and contact the professionals.
The fun begins after you receive it. The first step is to align the film if the order was delivered to in roll form. To do this, the painting must be placed under a press for a day. At the same time, prepare the chest of drawers for alteration, remove decorative elements, thoroughly clean all surfaces.
You need to stick the image very carefully and carefully; the self-adhesive base is fixed to the surface quite quickly, and it will be almost impossible to correct the defects. It is better to work together, one person will hold the top part of the picture, guide it, the second will glue and remove air bubbles, and this can be done using a soft towel rolled into a roll.
After finishing the work, no additional manipulations are necessary. The glossy surface of the film is resistant to mechanical stress. All that remains is to carefully return the fittings to their place and you can admire the updated piece of furniture.
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Shadows and silhouettes in the interior
To cover a chest of drawers, you can use either ready-made paper or order printing from a specialized department.
For many years now, famous designers have been using stencil silhouettes in their work. With their help, you can add special soulfulness and touching to any interior or object. But what’s especially pleasing is that remaking the chest of drawers in accordance with fashion trends It’s entirely possible to do it yourself.
You will need:
- an image that is suitable in size and taste (it is important that it is not too complex, otherwise it will be difficult to carefully cut it out of paper);
- thick paper, drawing paper or wallpaper will do;
- paints of contrasting colors; pastel and rich shades look most interesting in tandem;
- suitable brushes.
So, you can get to work. The drawing must be carefully transferred to paper, redrawn or printed. After carefully drawing the details, you need to cut out the silhouette. Thus, you will get 2 blanks, each of which can be used.
To update a quite decent, but outdated chest of drawers with your own hands, you need to use that part of the workpiece in which the central part is missing. Place the paper on the facade and secure it well, for example with tape. Then, using a brush, apply paint that is in harmony with the main tone in the “gap”, carefully drawing out the details. You can remove the paper only after it has completely dried; haste can ruin the design and the chest of drawers will be damaged.
The second part of the blank will be useful if it is decided that the design will be visible through the new coating. For a neat result, the chest of drawers must first be painted or the old base must be carefully prepared and varnished. After the lower layers have completely dried, you can begin to apply the original design.
The cut out silhouette must be applied to the surface and secured in several places with adhesive tape. You can also use double-sided tape, it will make the task easier.
After gluing the picture, you need to carefully paint the facade with a brush. If you chose the first method of fixing the stencil, carefully remove the tape and apply paint to the spaces. With the second method, this step is skipped. You need to remove the paper stencil in the same way as in the first option only after the paint has completely dried, otherwise you can damage the edges of the design.
The finished drawing can be varnished; it will smooth out all the irregularities and transitions.
READ ALSO: HOW TO MAKE HANDLES FOR DOORS OR FURNITURE YOURSELF. TOP 17
1. Floral print
2. Add fabric to the sides of the drawers
Read detailed instructions.
3. Decorate drawers with wallpaper
You might also be interested - 45 Ways to Update Your Closet with Wallpaper.
4. Use lace
Read detailed instructions.
5. Apply paint to the lacquered chest of drawers
30+ Ways to Use Leftover Paint Wisely.
6. Memorable dates on the chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
7. Or your favorite songs
Read detailed instructions.
8. Or favorite cities (streets)
Read detailed instructions.
9. Caravan from a chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
10. Use cabinet drawer handles for filing cabinets.
Read detailed instructions.
11. Striped accent
Read detailed instructions.
12. Use painted toys as pens
Read detailed instructions. You might also be interested - How to make handles for doors or furniture yourself. TOP 17.
13. Or their halves
14. Blue milk
Read detailed instructions.
15. Paint the chest of drawers in a metallic color.
Read detailed instructions.
16. Bold Ombre Style
Read detailed instructions. You might also be interested - 33 Examples of walls with ombre effect + Master class.
17. Use a stencil to create an original design
Read detailed instructions.
18. Another option using stencils
Read detailed instructions.
19. Add a Geometric Pattern to the Top of the Dresser
Read detailed instructions.
20. Use wood strips to line drawers
Read detailed instructions.
21. Replace drawers with baskets
22. Cover the boxes with maps of different countries of the world
Read detailed instructions.
23. Or both
24. Ombre dresser style
Read detailed instructions.
25. Ombre...
Read detailed instructions.
26. Another ombre option...
27. Use magnetic paint
Read detailed instructions.
28. Use different shades of nail polish
Read detailed instructions.
29. Strictly and tastefully
Read detailed instructions.
30. Run colorful stripes along the entire chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
31. Sunny accent
You might also be interested - how to make a simple cabinet out of plywood.
32. Cover the chest of drawers with newspapers. Why not?
33. Scallops
34. Charming patterns on drawers
Read detailed instructions.
35. Update your dresser with gift wrap
Read detailed instructions.
36. Use old rope instead of handles
Read detailed instructions.
37. Funny mustachioed chests of drawers
38. Optical illusion
Read detailed instructions.
39. Bright circles on the chest of drawers
40. Or triangles
41. Use nails with heads
Read detailed instructions.
42. Cross stitch effect
Read detailed instructions.
43. Ombre...
44. For lovers of sailing
Read detailed instructions.
45. Stylized chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
46. Cover the chest of drawers with fabric
Read detailed instructions.
47. Cover with foil
Read detailed instructions.
48. Don't be afraid to use bright colors
49. Ombre...
50. That time when doodles look organic
51. Add brass brackets and handles
Read detailed instructions.
52. Create a Colorful Texture on Drawers
Read detailed instructions.
53. Marine chest of drawers
54. Let's experiment...
55. Use house numbers as handles
Read detailed instructions.
56. Add miniature wheels
Read detailed instructions.
57. Let's experiment...
58. Add vinyl letters
Read detailed instructions.
59. Bright and colorful chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
60. Bright geometric patterns
61. Create fancy shapes
Read detailed instructions.
62. Get rid of drawers
63. Another option for geometric patterns
64. Colorful chests of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
65. Leopard notes
Read detailed instructions.
66. Don’t forget about the decor of the inside surfaces of the drawers
67. Color contrast
68. Mix prints
69. Let's experiment...
70. Use colored pencils as lining
Read detailed instructions.
71. Sea shades
72. Use leather instead of ordinary pens
Read detailed instructions.
73. Landscape dresser
74. Mirror chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
75. For UK fans
Read detailed instructions.
76. Family photo
Read detailed instructions.
77. Contrast stripes
78. New legs for an old chest of drawers
Read detailed instructions.
The times of furniture shortages are long gone, and today we can buy whatever we want for our apartments and houses to suit our tastes. But until now, many owners of pieces of furniture from the socialist era are trying to repair them and give them a new life. And this is not from greed or acute attachment to things. It’s just that an object like an old chest of drawers may not turn out to be rubbish, the place of which is perhaps in the country, but a challenge to one’s own imagination and the ability to create with one’s own hands.
Restoring an old chest of drawers: pros and cons
The processes of repair and restoration are similar, but have several significant differences. When repairing old furniture, we simply transform it most often: we remove peeling paint, sand it, apply a new layer, and fasten loose elements. Restoration is a deeper work that goes significantly beyond the boundaries cosmetic repairs. In addition, a restored chest of drawers can become more valuable if it was originally a fairly original, exclusive product.
Before deciding to restore an old chest of drawers, conduct a thorough assessment of its value. Inspect the item for tags or stamps indicating the name of the craftsman and time of manufacture. It may turn out that your chest of drawers is an antique piece of furniture art, and by starting to process it, you will lose a truly valuable item.
An old chest of drawers may have antique value
Signs of antiquity may be as follows:
- precision internal corners as a result of long-term use of the chest of drawers;
- uneven notch on the fastening screws;
- different distances between notch turns.
The last two signs may indicate that the fasteners were made by hand and not industrially.
All of the above can be detected with the naked eye. A more in-depth analysis will be carried out by a specialist whom you invite to evaluate the product. It is not recommended to begin restoration or repair work until the final conclusion.
The restoration process from start to finish
So, you have decided to restore an old chest of drawers with your own hands. The work ahead is painstaking, requiring attention and time. Every step is extremely important, so try not to miss anything.
Old chest of drawers in need of restoration
To work you will need:
- wood putty and glue;
- sandpaper of different grits in the set;
- hammer;
- Screwdriver Set;
- rubber mallet;
- gloves and respirator;
- toothpicks, toothbrush;
- means for cleaning accessories (tooth powder will do);
- tassels;
- paint and varnish.
Cleaning the Product
The old chest of drawers must be cleaned so that the surfaces and decorative parts are not damaged. To begin, wipe the product with a sponge soap solution. The water should be warm, but not hot, but as detergent– laundry or stain-removing soap without chlorine.
Antique pieces of furniture, especially chests of drawers, are often decorated small details and carved inserts. A toothbrush will help you clean them well.
Remove furniture fittings(this will give you access to the surfaces underneath the parts to better removal dirt) and rub with cleaning agent. For example, tooth powder works well for silver.
Clean hard-to-reach places such as crevices and corners with an awl or toothpick. Plaque and stubborn dirt can be removed with fine sandpaper. It must be used very carefully, otherwise the finish may fade due to strong pressure.
If you decide to change the color of an old chest of drawers or cover it with a new layer of varnish, the surface must be thoroughly sanded.
Preliminary preparation
After the old chest of drawers is washed and thoroughly dried, repair or replace the damaged elements. Finding suitable parts will most likely be difficult. To do this, it is better to contact an antique shop or carpentry workshop to order the production of the necessary decorative items. There you can also get professional help installing parts.
Check how well the screws and bolts are tightened and whether the wood is cracked. Remove rusty or loose bolts: they need to be replaced with new ones. Glue small cracks on the surface with wood glue; Cover the larger ones with wood putty, matching it exactly to the same tone. If you plan to subsequently cover the chest of drawers with stain, then use a special putty.
Painting work
Nowadays you rarely see furniture from natural wood V wide sale. An old chest of drawers may not match modern style your home. Therefore, in addition to a fresh look, this product can be given a new image. The easiest way is to paint it one color, for example white.
First of all, remove the old coating from the surface. Do this carefully so as not to damage the wood or leave traces of the old coating in cracks and corners.
Thoroughly clean the surfaces of the dresser so that there are no uneven spots left.
Now sand the surface to get rid of roughness and minor imperfections.
Sand the surface well
After sanding, move on to putty. Carefully repair all chips and unnecessary holes. After the putty has dried, sand it with fine-grained sandpaper.
To paint the chest of drawers, use a special wood paint. You may need to sand the surface again. To give the chest of drawers a glossy look, you can apply a layer of varnish on top of the paint (after it has completely dried, of course).
Replacing old parts
The old chest of drawers used in our example had iron handles. Of course, they are beautiful and give the furniture an antique look. But unfortunately, some of these pens are hopelessly damaged. The easiest way out is to completely replace them with new ones that are more suitable in style. This is easy to do: drill holes of the required diameter in suitable places and insert the fittings.
Replace old dresser handles with new ones for a modern look.
As you can see, the chest of drawers has become completely different: new, modern and exclusive.
New life old furniture
Decoupage chest of drawers
If you don't think pure white is enough to breathe new life into an old chest of drawers, do decoupage.
- Paint the surface with white acrylic paint. Let dry thoroughly.
- Cut out pattern pieces from decorative paper napkins. Glue them to the chest of drawers with PVA glue.
- After everything is dry, coat the chest of drawers with varnish.
That's all, your chest of drawers has sparkled with new colors! The good thing about decoupage is that you can choose any pattern and design that your imagination allows.
Master class on decoupage of a chest of drawers (video)
Another repair option
This method will help you turn an old and boring bulky chest of drawers into a light and elegant piece of furniture. For the transformation, we will take a classic model without any special decorative ornaments: three wide drawers and two small ones.
Classic chest of drawers with three large and two small drawers
You will need the following tools and materials:
- means for removing old layers of varnish or paint;
- sandpaper;
- chisel;
- matte putty;
- PVA glue;
- self-tapping screws;
- polyurethane foam decorative moldings;
- wallpaper;
- paraffin;
- water-based acrylic paint;
- transparent water-based varnish;
- 8 decorative handles.
Preparation
Unscrew the handles on the chest of drawers. Examine it carefully from all sides. Special attention Pay attention to the lid and legs: these are the places where the wood is usually subject to the most damage. If the shortcomings are minor, it is not necessary to eliminate them. But if more serious damage is detected, sometimes it is necessary to replace some parts completely.
Free the chest of drawers from old varnish or paint. The top layers can be removed with a chisel; they usually come off easily. Rub the residue thoroughly with sandpaper until clean wood is visible.
Thoroughly clean the product from old paint and remove the fittings
In places where noticeable irregularities and dents are found, apply mastic with a spatula and level the layer. Once dry, sand these areas with fine-grit sandpaper. Do this carefully, do not press too hard, otherwise you will damage the fresh layer of mastic. As a result, the surface should become perfectly flat.
The new dresser handles you purchased may be smaller or bigger size than the old ones. In this case, you need to fill the holes left from the old handles that you removed with mastic and make new ones in the right places using a drill.
Note! There are handles that attach to special screws. There is no need to drill holes for them. If you have the opportunity, purchase such accessories to make your work easier.
Dilute PVA glue with water. Using a brush, treat the entire surface of the chest of drawers. You can replace the glue with any primer. When the surface is completely dry, you can begin decorating.
Decorative elements
First of all, prepare the main decorative elements - frames for the sides and drawers. They can be made from ordinary polyurethane moldings. The main thing in this work is correct measurements. Frame for drawer should be located strictly along the edge. It is better to make a small indent on the sides.
Correctly calculate the dimensions of the decorative frames on the drawers
It is also very important to trim the corner portions of the molding correctly.
Once you have all the parts for the frames ready, start attaching them. For greater reliability, screw the frames with screws, and then seal the places where they fit into the moldings with mastic so that the caps do not stand out.
Apply mastic to the areas where the screws enter the moldings.
Now color installed frames acrylic paint. Choose any color that you like or matches the interior of the room. For example, for a chest of drawers french style Light coffee or beige will work well. Apply the paint in several layers, each time waiting until it dries completely.
Paste wallpaper inside the frames. It's good if they have a thick texture and fancy pattern. The ornament should be darker than the general background. After you finish pasting the wallpaper, carefully screw the handles into place.
For original decor, use wallpaper
The final touch is to coat the chest of drawers with clear varnish. It should be applied in several layers.
Chest of drawers after restoration in the bedroom interior
To make the drawers slide out of their grooves easily, lubricate the wooden parts of the drawer system with paraffin. Sliding will be significantly easier.
How to restore an old chest of drawers (video)
As you can see, turning an old bulky chest of drawers into a completely new and attractive interior element is not at all difficult, although it is troublesome. But all the difficulties pale before the result of the work. Tell us in the comments about your ideas for restoring and repurposing old furniture. Good luck and comfort to your home!
