The easiest way to add new life to your favorite furniture is with upholstery. Adding

new fabric is especially helpful for reviving outdoor furniture that takes a beating.

• Remove existing cushions and measuring their dimensions for your new project.

• Depending on how old your piece is, you may want to replace the actual

cushions as well, instead of simply covering existing padding.

• Look for a new fabric that matches your décor scheme and will resist fading.

It sounds like a no-brainer, but a new coat of

paint can make a world of difference for

tired furniture. Try painting your favorite

wood dining set for a new look, or using

paint to give an updated façade to a

children’s dresser. One of our favorite ideas

is to spray paint metal patio furniture to add

fun and color to your outdoor living space.

Stripping paint from a wood piece can also

liven up furniture.

• Invest in a quality chemical stripper.

• Use a scraper or steel wool to buff out

any paint left on the surface.

• Use mineral spirits to remove any

traces of the chemical stripper.

• Simply use a stain to bring out the

natural vibrancy of the wood.

Wallpaper isn’t just for walls anymore!

• Use wallpaper to line the inside

of closets or cabinets for a fresh

and decorative look.

• Affix wallpaper or contact paper

to the front of a chest of drawers

or side table to add interest.

• Use a colorful contact paper,

such as a design that’s

patterned or metallic, and cut

out shapes like stripes or polka

dots to make a fun and modern

piece of furniture.

Got an area rug that’s lost

fringe over the years, or a patio

curtain that has a stain in just a

single corner? Repurpose the

fabric! After a thorough

cleaning, trim away any ratty or

stained sections and use the

fabric as a wall hanging or in

your furniture design projects.

For example, try using an

antique rug to upholster a old

bench, or draped artfully over

an antique storage trunk. This

repurposing project also gives

you the excuse to hang some

new custom outdoor curtains.

Card or folding tables are a great way to make a workspace just for kids, whether used for

crafts or homework. The only problem? Basic card tables can look out of place in a well-

designed home. Fix up drab craft tables using paint – why not let kids get creative and add

their own designs? Another option is to cover the surface of the table with wood paneling or

vinyl floor tiles for a decorative look that disguises the original piece completely.

For decades,

decoupage has been

used in home décor

and crafts, for example,

to add color to a

favorite vase.

Decoupage, or glued

paper cutouts, can also

be used on furniture.

Use decoupage to

cover an old table, or

glue cutouts to the front

of a plain armoire to

add decoration.

A well-kept piece of antique

furniture can be refreshed

with contemporary hardware.

• Swap out tarnished or

gaudy drawer pulls for

modern, minimal

designs like brass or

chrome knobs.

• Repurpose a leather

handbag to create

custom drawer straps.

• Use a strand of pearls

for a drawer pull in a

feminine space, or

knotted twine for a

more rustic feel.

Outdoor Fabrics sells outdoor draperies and porch curtains in a variety of colors and

fabrics to match your home’s décor scheme. As your online Sunbrella® fabric superstore,

we have exactly what you need to create the ultimate outdoor sanctuary. To learn more,

visit www.outdoorfabrics.com or call 1-800-640-3539.

Summary

Breathing new life into an old piece of

furniture is not only an inexpensive way to

update your home, it’s also fun to get

creative. Simple tweaks, like updating

drawer pulls or reupholstering patio

furniture, can make a world of difference in

your home or outdoor space.