How to Take Your Old Furnishing from Flat to Fab in a Weekend ...

So, furniture and home decor are expensive. Sometimes you don't have the money to entirely revamp your home, maybe you'd rather spend your money on someone else, and maybe you simply like to get crafty. Whether you need to make it work with what you have or if you love combing through antique shops and thrift stores for one-of-a-kind finds that need a little TLC, you can turn your old furnishings into some gorgeous, functional, and generally fabulous things. You just need a weekend, a little paint, your creativity, and some imagination.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

1. Turn a TV Stand into a Wine Rack

Turn a TV Stand into a Wine Rack Source: estuarydesigns.com

Or, honestly, a nicer TV stand. Or an entry way table. Or an entertainment center. Consoles lend themselves well to repurposing, you know.

2. Spruce up Anything with Paint

Spruce up Anything with Paint Source: impatientlyprayingforpatience.blogspot.com

Seriously, a new coat of paint and some TLC can breathe new life into almost any piece of furniture.

Frequently asked questions

3. Let Your Old Accessories Inspire You

Let Your Old Accessories Inspire You Source: artsychicksrule.com

The great thing about this is that you can get some more use out of your old jewelry (or whatever) while prolonging the life of a table you aren't necessarily crazy about anymore. Upcycling at its finest.

4. The Evolution of a Chair

The Evolution of a Chair Source: spoonfulofimagination.com

I love benches. I long for benches in far too many rooms of our new home. This is so simple, efficient, and genius.

5. So Nice, I'm Sharing It Twice

So Nice, I'm Sharing It Twice Source: sawdust2stitches.com

I can't resist. So easy! So smart! So cute! So functional! We have six old kitchen chairs taking up space in the basement!

6. Don't Ditch Your Old Lamps

Don't Ditch Your Old Lamps Source: usedeverywhere.com

See? Paint. Actually, some paint, a pattern, perhaps some texture, and a new or upcycled lampshade can do wonders.

7. From Candles to Cupcakes

From Candles to Cupcakes Source: homejelly.com

We have so many big, clunky candelabra (candelabrae? Candelabras?) around the house, and although I love candles, I hate most of these candle holders, and I definitely love cupcakes, so I'm down with this upgrade. I'm down with it so hard.

8. From Accent Table to Writing Desk

From Accent Table to Writing Desk Source: decoracaoeinvencao.blogspot.com

THIS IS SO CUTE! Someone put in so much hard work with this desk. The shine is sublime. I don't think I'd use a zebra print for the cover, but beyond that, I want to find an accent or sofa table just to copy this.

9. Redo an Old Dresser

Redo an Old Dresser Source: scrapmebaby.wordpress.com

I'm drooling over here. That dresser is doggone gorgeous.

10. Turn a Dresser into a Different Kind of Storage

Turn a Dresser into a Different Kind of Storage Source: camerasandchaos.blogspot.com

Full disclosure, I just found a slew of ideas for dressers. They don't all have before pictures, but they're pretty easy to imagine. This is a great way to create space for towels, sheets, spare blankets – and, as you'll see, there are plenty of things to do with any discarded drawers.

11. Speaking of Drawers …

Speaking of Drawers … Source: bhg.com

Here's just one way old drawers can come in handy – and create extra storage space. Plus, it's sanitary. There are even wheels involved.

12. Two Dressers, One Kitchen Island

Two Dressers, One Kitchen Island Source: foododdity.com

Love this one – it's excellent if you have any hand-me-down furniture from your childhood room or previous houses. Great for Ikea dressers, too. It is also adorable, which never hurts.

13. Got Doilies?

Got Doilies? Source: bhg.com

Well, if you're hard-pressed to find a place for them – they can be a little difficult to fit into your décor – then just frame them.

14. Forget Those Unsightly Rings

Forget Those Unsightly Rings Source: plumlife.typepad.com

If you keep losing the coaster war, hide those unsightly rings with a fresh coat of vivid paint.

15. DIY Tiered Serving Tray

DIY Tiered Serving Tray Source: bhg.com

Some mismatched plates, some wine glasses or candlesticks, some glue, maybe some paint – voila! How pretty!

16. Seriously, This is so Easy

Seriously, This is so Easy Source: simplysalvage.com

Redo your current chairs as many times as you want, pick up a cheap set from a curbside sale, or grab an inexpensive mismatch from the thrift store – you can upcycle chairs as many times as you want without spending a lot of money or time.

17. Shabby, Chic, Super Functional

Shabby, Chic, Super Functional Creating a nightstand from crates is a savvy way to be thrifty, create more storage space, and give yourself plenty of space for your bedside must-haves. Beautiful!

18. Flip an Armoire into a Buffet

Flip an Armoire into a Buffet Source: bhg.com

I want one of these so badly. I want to buy an armoire just to do this.

19. See Your Light Fixtures in a New Light

See Your Light Fixtures in a New Light Source: apartmenttherapy.com

A simple flip can completely change the look of certain chandeliers.

20. Desk to the Wall

Desk to the Wall Source: bhg.com

This is beyond smart – and it saves so much space, plus you could do it with so many different tables!

21. De-clutter Your Bedroom to Update Your Bathroom

De-clutter Your Bedroom to Update Your Bathroom Source: bhg.com

The money you save by turning a bedside table into a marvelous bathroom vanity can easily justify splurging on a fabulous sink, right?

22. Replace Jacked up Cushions with Rope

Replace Jacked up Cushions with Rope Source: todaysnest.typepad.com

Done with the right color palette, this is ideal for a beach-themed space.

23. Give Your Garden Some Decadence

Give Your Garden Some Decadence Source: bhg.com

I mean, what gets more decadent than an armoire transformed into a potting nook? This is precious.

24. Stack Your Old Tins

Stack Your Old Tins Source: bhg.com

This is so cute, not to mention that it's an excellent way to make something functional out of those things. They're darling, but they stack up on you mighty quick.

25. Don't Run from the Doilies

Don't Run from the Doilies Source: bhg.com

Here's another fab way to deal with all those doilies. This is actually really pretty.

26. A New Kind of Tray Table

A New Kind of Tray Table Source: bhg.com

What's really neat about this is that you use an adjustable stool as well as one of those oh so chic metal trays, so you can adjust the table to suit whatever chair you place it next to.

27. From Bookcases to Bouffets

From Bookcases to Bouffets Source: bhg.com

Buffets are expensive but often necessary. This is a cheap but unique way to do the job yourself.

28. From Bookcase to Bench

From Bookcase to Bench Source: bhg.com

This is next-level clever, plus you get extra storage. That's always a plus in the bedroom.

29. Put Junk in the Trunk

Put Junk in the Trunk Source: bhg.com

I love refurbished trunks, especially when they're functional and also gorgeous. From personal experience, a trunk makes a fantastic coffee table, not just because it looks amazing but also because you really can store all the random detritus that ends up in the living room.

30. Put Your Old Frames to Use

Put Your Old Frames to Use Source: bhg.com

So adorable, so easy to make, such amazing décor for virtually no money. Love!

31. Turn Crates into Shelving

Turn Crates into Shelving Source: bhg.com

You could even paint it or paper the insides of the crates for some added pop. Old sewing drawers make lovely shelves, as well.

32. Another Dresser Turned Console

Another Dresser Turned Console Source: indulgy.com

I love how they even made the best of the missing drawer!

33. Or Try This with Your TV Cabinet

Or Try This with Your TV Cabinet Source: pinterest.com

Don't have a coat closet? You don't need no stinkin' coat closet!

34. Magically Turning a Dresser into a Sink

Magically Turning a Dresser into a Sink Source: shabbypaints.com

It's actually not magical at all, it takes a lot of hard work, but my, the result is just to-die. To-die!

35. This Little Thing is Made out of Pallets

This Little Thing is Made out of Pallets Source: bhg.com

Pallets ARE magical.

36. The Wonders of a Suitcase

The Wonders of a Suitcase Source: decoist.com

This is one of my favorite repurposing projects. Suitcases and old vanity cases make such gorgeous tables.

37. Speaking of Which …

Speaking of Which … Source: diyinspired.com

38. And if You Have an Old Bike …

And if You Have an Old Bike … Source: benjamin-bullins.artistwebsites.com

Wow. Just … wow. Round of applause.

39. Make a Table do Double-duty

Make a Table do Double-duty Source: infarrantlycreative.net

An unsightly or unloved table can turn into something practical and pretty with a little love and creativity.

40. A Singer Makeover

A Singer Makeover Source: imgur.com

Old sewing machine bases make beautiful pieces of furniture. This vanity is adorable. My dad even made Heather and I a stunning dining room table with a sewing machine base and reclaimed barn wood.

41. A Dresser Full of Posies

A Dresser Full of Posies Source: eclecticallyvintage.com

This is clever, colorful, and totally worthy of copying.

42. Bottom's out, Bottom's up

Bottom's out, Bottom's up Source: ohmy-creative.com

This is a genius way to salvage a brokedown chair. You can also place a potted plant in your bottomless seat.

43. Door in the Corner

Door in the Corner Source: margaretearquitetando.blogspot.com

My dad has made a few of these out of those shuttered closet doors and they are both fabulous and functional. The previous owners of our new house left several old doors in the basement and the shed, too, and I'm dying to try this with some of them.

44. Utilize Your Odd Utensils

Utilize Your Odd Utensils Source: twistedsifter.com

Everybody ends up with odd pieces of flatware that don't match the set, right? Time to put them to good use!

45. Hang a Chair in the Air

Hang a Chair in the Air Source: twistedsifter.com

This is perfect for a small bathroom or a crowded space. I dare say it would look adorable in any room. Try this in your bathroom to hang your scarves, hats, and wraps.

46. Or Hang It from There

Or Hang It from There Source: buzzfeed.com

Sorry, I'm just really fond of homemade swings.

47. A Stairway to Book Heaven

A Stairway to Book Heaven Source: thefancy.com

Well, maybe not a stairway so much as a ladder, but still, this is a pretty cool idea, especially if you don't have a lot of space.

48. This Chair is a Suitcase

This Chair is a Suitcase Source: seekatesew.blogspot.com

It is. And I need it.

49. And for Every Audrey Fan

And for Every Audrey Fan Source: apartmenttherapy.com

Everyone needs a bathtub couch. Everyone.

50. Because It's Pretty

Because It's Pretty Source: paintingtheroseswhite.com

It just seems really easy to turn a dresser or bureau into a sink.

So, what's your next weekend project?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

AMAZING!!

WOW! Love the bike dresser

Longchamps.candace