How to decorate a closet. Ideas for restoring an old cabinet with your own hands

How to update an old cabinet? Surely many people have had a similar question, because over time, every interior becomes boring and nondescript. In this case, it is absolutely not necessary to spend money on new furniture. It’s easy to transform even an old cabinet with your own hands, giving it a more attractive appearance. To do this, you can use both professional materials and improvised means.

If you are no longer attracted to your own wardrobe, kitchen or bookcase, then you should definitely take the time to read this article. In it you will find a lot of useful and interesting information related to the reconstruction of furniture at home.

Updating an old wardrobe with your own hands

As previously mentioned, almost any materials will work for updating an old cabinet with your own hands. Various stickers and photographs are even suitable for this purpose. For a better transformation of furniture, you can use the following accessories:

• photo wallpaper;
• paint;
• stained glass film (self-adhesive);
• textured decorative plaster;
• vinyl stickers;
• photo printing;
• any fabric;
• broken tiles, etc.

We will describe the use of these materials in the table below.

In addition, there are many more ways to update your closet with your own hands. For example, from its doors you can make a popular slate board (see photo). To do this, it is enough to purchase only a special coating with a blackboard effect (paint, film, etc.). This option is ideal for a children's bedroom. In other rooms, the furniture can be decorated with various rivets and other similar elements. In this way, it is possible to transform both an ordinary cabinet and a corner and built-in one.

What do you need to know?

What else do you need to know if you decide to update your wardrobe? Almost all old furniture, in addition to changing its appearance, requires careful restoration, which can cost either one surface treatment or a complete replacement of the wood. Follow this principle.

• If the structure of the cabinet has begun to deteriorate in places, then before decorating it is recommended to go over the cabinet with a hard washcloth. This will help remove the damaged top layer. After treatment, the areas must be washed to remove dust and dried in fresh air.
• If there are various defects on the furniture (holes, scratches), you need to apply a thin layer of putty to the surface, and then let it dry completely.
• If any metal parts in the cabinet begin to rust, you can stop this process and remove dirt using special anti-rust products.
• When painting furniture, it is best to use acrylic paint. However, if you prefer enamel, then it is advisable that it be alkyd, since such paint is, first of all, distinguished by its quality.
• If you want the cabinet to have a varnish coating, then it is recommended to use spray varnishes to update it. In this form, they treat the surface more thoroughly.

You now have the knowledge you need to know the proper technique for updating an old cabinet. We hope you will take them into account and use them as soon as necessary. Give old furniture a new life!

Every Russian family has, or once had, an old Soviet wardrobe. Someone said goodbye to this a long time ago, throwing it in the trash. Did you know that this work of art of Soviet thought can be given a second life? If this article had fallen into your hands earlier, your old closet would have shone with new colors. And for those who still have a “Soviet centenarian” somewhere in their dacha, there is an opportunity to create original cabinet decor with your own hands and complement the interior of the apartment with a truly designer attribute.

Any furniture gets old over time, but don’t rush to throw away a shabby cabinet - you can not only bring it back to life, but even make it better and more original

At the moment, there are many suitable acrylic paints, adhesives and impregnations available, thanks to which you can decorate a cabinet with your own hands without any problems.

Beautiful country style wardrobe with lightly worn elements

There are several ways:

1. Painting the front and side walls of the cabinet in different colors.
2. Decoupage of facades followed by application of varnish.
3. Pasting with paper or vinyl wallpaper (photo wallpaper).
4. Matting glass cabinet surfaces. And when using patterned stencils, you can make unique patterns on glass.
5. Do-it-yourself patination of the frames of the facades, as well as the internal open and side surfaces of the cabinet.
6. Artificial aging of wood.
7. The application was applied to glass facades.
8. The use of decorative plaster or polyurethane foam to make patterns on cabinet facades.

For your information. Initially, patination (patina) was an independent process. A layer of patina formed on the metal parts of the furniture, as well as on wood and glass.

Painting is the simplest solution that gives a lot of visual options

Wallpapering the back wall and drawers of the cabinet

Decorating a closet with textile wallpaper

An alternative to wallpaper - self-adhesive film

The choice of method for restoring an old cabinet with your own hands depends on the personal preferences of the residents, as well as the interior style of the room where it is planned to be located. The material from which the cabinet is made is also of great importance. You will not be able to age chipboard facades.

Wallpaper restoration

It is necessary to wallpaper a closet if it is made of chipboard. This is a direct consequence of the properties of this material. There is no other way to convert laminated chipboard at home.

Paper wallpaper is easier to glue, but it is not durable, although the latter does not matter much if you cover it with varnish

Let's consider an example with a cabinet made of chipboard. Before wallpapering the facades, they need to be removed. Further, if there are frames of slats on the doors, it is advisable to dismantle them as well. A layer of acrylic paint is applied under the wallpaper.

This is an important condition not only visually, but also technologically. Acrylic paint has high adhesion (penetration), and, in turn, can well absorb subsequent layers of glue.

Before applying paint, the doors are cleaned with sandpaper (helps increase absorbency). After applying several layers of the previously chosen color, as well as the complete drying of the facades, they immediately begin wallpapering. Apply a layer of glue to the wallpaper sheet and to the door.

The doors of this closet are covered with wallpaper left over after the room was renovated.

If you use paper wallpaper, you cannot smear it with glue, as it is very thin and will tear at the first opportunity. In this case, the adhesive is applied only to the elements of the old cabinet.

Separately, you should paint the frame, which is subsequently attached to its original place. The interior space can also be covered.

Another decor option when the closet merges with the walls

Do not forget about the compatibility of the color palette, as well as the wallpaper pattern with the overall design of the room. A handmade sideboard must complement the interior and match it.

Antique restoration

This method is more labor-intensive than the one described above. To decorate an old antique cabinet, only natural wooden materials are suitable. There is no need to completely disassemble the cabinet. But you will have to move it outside.

Attention. The aging process of wood is accompanied by a large amount of waste wood shavings and dust.

Rust must be removed from metal parts. Large wood defects are covered with putty

Panels and frames are cleaned of old varnish and paint. Then they need to be carefully sanded. In the process you will need to use:

• sandpaper of different grain sizes or a sanding machine;
• metal brushes with thin wire, synthetic or abrasive-polymer brush, as well as a sisal finishing brush;
• tourist gas can with burner;
• stains, impregnations or natural oils for wood.

An aged wood surface can be obtained using the brushing technique.

You can learn more about the wood aging method by watching a video on YouTube.

After sanding, the resulting wood is treated with colored stain, waited until it dries completely, and then varnished.

Using this method, furniture becomes age-old. This method is perfect for decorating the surfaces of cabinets with your own hands in Country style.

This wardrobe will fit perfectly into the rustic interior of a living room or bedroom.

Restoration in Art Deco style

Art Deco gained its greatest popularity at the end of the twentieth century. The characteristic features of this design are luxury, shine, and high cost of finishing materials. The colors of the interior and furniture are predominantly white, black, and gold. Accenting with purple, red, green and brown colors is allowed. Black and white portraits of famous people of the past would be appropriate here. This style is inherent in the gangster layers.

Stylish dark purple wardrobe with golden elements

In DIY furniture design, this direction can be expressed in different ways. Regarding cabinets and chests of drawers, these can be either plain facades and panels painted with acrylic paint in one or two colors, or decorated furniture using decoupage.

Decoupage napkins or film are a universal and practical way to give the interior and furniture a creative look. Its shapes, patterns, colors, prints are widely represented in paint stores. In Art Deco, these could be the same faces of the bandits of the past, or, as has become very fashionable, the figure of the unforgettable Marilyn Monroe.

First, the entire cabinet is painted in primary colors. To make the borders clear, use masking tape.

Then the panels are decorated using decoupage technique

The final stage is applying a protective layer of varnish

It would be interesting to use a special varnish that has crackle properties when covering decoupaged furniture facades.

A pattern made from mosaics with your own hands will look original. To do this, you need to have several unnecessary porcelain or ceramic plates, mostly black and white and gold. The plates are broken into small pieces, and then assembled into a pattern or figure using a stencil. The resulting fresco is filled with epoxy resin or plastered with tiled plaster to match the color of the interior.

Pieces of tiles are an excellent material for original decor.

Furniture fittings, small parts, as well as the slatted frame are painted with gold acrylic paint.

Chic cabinet decor with seashells attached to the prepared surface with hot glue

Features of restoration of a cabinet made of chipboard

A particleboard cabinet usually has a laminated surface. Before wallpapering, the laminated layer must be completely removed. This process is very labor-intensive, so it is better to use decoupage film.

The varnished layer must be cleaned in two stages, using sandpaper of different grain sizes.

With the help of decoupage film, any old Soviet wall will get the face of a European wardrobe. Before decoupage, the surfaces are treated with a degreasing compound, which is suitable for:

• gasoline or kerosene;
• acetone (White spirit);
• dishwashing detergent.

It is better to first vacuum the surfaces and then wipe them with a cloth with a degreasing compound.

After processing, the surface is painted with acrylic paint in several layers, each of which must dry well.

Carefully disperse the paint, avoiding streaks and smudges

The decoupage film is carefully applied to the panel (door), pre-lubricated with glue. Next, the folds are smoothed out with a sponge and the plane is equalized.

Cut out a design from a decoupage napkin and glue it onto the surface of the cabinet

You can additionally decorate the closet with ribbon strips

After the glue has completely dried, varnish is applied to the resulting surface.

Advice. A unique effect is obtained by applying crackle varnish, which cracks when dry. This restoration method is suitable for design in Provence and Country styles.

The photo shows an example of an artificially aged surface using crackle varnish

At the stage of painting furniture, before decoupage, you can patina the facade. This is achieved by using an absorbent sponge or an ordinary rag. When the paint has not yet completely dried, you need to blot the sponge in some places and remove a small layer of paint. The resulting effect is reminiscent of time-aged French furniture in the Provence style.

Patination of furniture is especially effective on shaped elements

Video: restoration of an old cabinet covered with oak veneer

Photo ideas for decorating old cabinets

Restoration and decoration work can provide... After the renovation, sideboards and shelving become bright accent details in the interior. The decor of the cabinet is done using the techniques of decoupage, gilding, artificial aging, artistic painting, wallpapering, etc. Updating standard furniture is possible with your own hands.

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Decor options

Old furniture can become an original interior design decoration using decorating techniques. Many ideas have been developed on how to make a new cabinet out of an old one. These are dyeing and artistic painting technologies, methods of decoupage and wallpapering, and adding decorative inserts.

Upholstery and upholstery with fabric or leather will change the style of items in accordance with the updated interior of the room.

An original and effective solution is mosaic decor. The technique suits Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. The elements used are ceramics, glass of different shades, etc.

The decor of an old cabinet can be done with gilding. Furniture is given a luxurious look with the help of foil, which allows you to completely cover the item or create sophisticated patterns.

When restoring furniture, it is important to consider the harmony of the combination of finishes with the color scheme of the room.

Painting

Painting furniture is a simple and effective technique. The design can be monochromatic or combine a range of contrasting shades. Partial coloring of elements is possible: drawers, doors, handles, side parts, etc. Furniture processed using the ombre technique looks original - with transitions from rich to pastel shades.

Chests of drawers and sideboards made of natural solid wood are recommended to be treated with a thin layer of translucent paint to preserve the texture of the wood. Surfaces are painted with acrylic paint, which is considered optimal for furniture decoration, since the material is odorless, easy to clean and mix. Before work, surfaces are sanded and primed.

Stencils and stickers

Stencils and vinyl stickers are an affordable and easy way to decorate your closet on your own. The method allows you to decorate furniture with patterns of laconic geometric shapes or complex compositions. Decorative stencils allow you to complete your work accurately. The method is suitable for Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles.

Wallpaper

Decorating furniture with wallpaper will help hide surface imperfections and change the design of the item. The color scheme of materials is chosen in accordance with the shades of the interior. Before finishing, the cabinet frame must be sanded and painted. It is possible to combine the raw texture of wooden furniture and wallpaper patterns used to decorate some cabinet elements. The method is suitable for vintage-style rooms.

Wallpaper as a decoration is suitable for many interiors due to a wide palette of shades, color combinations and patterns. Textures can be embossed, glossy or matte.

If you decorate the cabinets with photo wallpaper, you will get an original model. Wallpaper can also be glued to parts of the cabinet: sides, doors, shelves, etc. After finishing work, the product is coated with a fixing varnish.

Decoupage

Using the decoupage technique, furniture is decorated with a pattern that merges with its surface. The method is simple to perform and effective. The finishing material is special napkins with floral patterns, images of nature and animals, paintings by famous masters, etc. The image can be clear or blurred in accordance with the design project.

For original interiors in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, letters, sheets of old newspapers, theater tickets, movie posters, etc. are used. To decorate a room in the Provençal style, napkins in pastel colors with floral patterns are used. Do-it-yourself wardrobe decor can also be made using decoupage technique.

When applying the material, you must ensure that the coating is even. After drying, the surface is covered with a layer of protective varnish.

Mirror

When restoring furniture, mirrors can visually expand the space and hide defects on cabinet doors. The mirror draws attention to the interior, which is displayed on the surface. A wardrobe with a mirrored front is the best option for small rooms, as it will visually expand the room.

The base of a sliding wardrobe is suitable for finishing, since large areas allow you to install mirrors to the full height of the surface.

In furniture with complex elements, it is possible to add horizontal inserts and shaped details. The mirror mosaic on the front of the cabinet looks original.

Textile

It is possible to restore an old cabinet with your own hands using fabrics of different densities and textures. The equipment is suitable for rooms with natural and country motifs, as well as for bedrooms.

The cabinet elements – doors, drawers – are trimmed with fabric. A thin foam base is placed under the material to add volume. Fix the fabric on the reverse sides of doors and shelves. The work will require: a furniture stapler, standard or liquid nails.

The shade of the fabric is selected in accordance with the color scheme of the room. Finishing materials that match the wallpaper are harmonious and elegant. Contrasting combinations are also possible while maintaining the aesthetics of the composition. The texture of the material should be dense and not deformable when pulled.

Aging

Decorating the cabinet can be done using the artificial aging method. Such vintage furniture is suitable for rooms in the styles of classic, modern, retro, country, shabby chic, etc. A simple and popular technique is using craquelure varnish, which is applied over a primer.

The surface can be artificially aged using the patina technique. The method is in demand when finishing softwood furniture.

The surfaces are treated with a metal brush, thus creating shallow artistic grooves. Then the wood is coated with dark paint, and before the material dries, the surfaces are treated with foam rubber to create a beautiful texture. The restoration is completed by applying a protective varnish.

What do you do with old furniture?

There comes a time when the furniture no longer harmonizes with the design of the room. The closet becomes a tasteless box and gets in your way. Bored furniture can be replaced or given a new style.

There are several simple techniques that allow you to update an old cabinet with your own hands. We will tell you how to repair vintage furniture or create an original piece of furniture from it.

Pasting with film or stickers

To make an outdated wardrobe fit into the updated design of the room, add ornate patterns of flowers. An unusual geometric pattern created using self-adhesive film will breathe new life into old-fashioned furniture.

They are:

• standard: matte or glossy surface with a variety of patterns and colors;
• furniture for the facade, with a touch of wood or metal.

Step-by-step instructions for working with self-adhesive film:

1. Prepare the facade: clean from dust and stains with water and chemicals.
2. Level the surface with plaster and primer.
3. Mark the self-adhesive film from the inside out in advance, remembering to take allowances into account.
4. Remove the protective layer from the inside by 2-4 centimeters.
5. Stick with sticky surface to cabinet
6. Using a rag and putty knife, smooth out the decal.
7. Carefully remove the protective paper.

Beautiful pictures will create a positive atmosphere in the room

Watch for bubbles to appear. To avoid their occurrence, attach the sticker carefully, straightening the film.

On a note. If the bubbles that appear do not smooth out, pierce them with a needle.

Photo printing and photo wallpaper

The equipment is suitable for restoring a kitchen cabinet or buffet. Photo wallpaper can be purchased at the construction department or contact a printing house.

Printing centers will help:

• enlarge the image without losing the quality of the picture;
• make a collage of several photos or pictures;
• apply an image to a film for gluing to a specific type of surface.

Toning

Changing the color of the facades can decorate boring furniture. Instructions for tinting a wardrobe:

1. Clean the surface from dust with a dry cloth.
2. Also treat the inner walls with an antiseptic (vinegar will do). It will get rid of the musty smell.
3. Use wood putty to remove defects. The color must match the details.
4. After the composition has dried, sand the treated areas with sandpaper.
5. Coat the cabinet with a texturizing wood stain. It should be darker than the color of the furniture.

The tinting technique is suitable for decorating a cabinet in the bathroom, kitchen or hallway.

Remember that this method is only suitable for natural wood surfaces.

Slate surface of doors

This type of decoration is becoming increasingly popular. Doors made of slate boards on which you can write or draw are becoming fashionable.

Before and After - transforming an ancient chest of drawers

There are 3 ways:

• Gluing slate film to a door or facade.
• Buying a finished board.
• Coating the door or inner wall with special paint.

Painting technique:

1. Sand out any rough edges and scratches.
2. Apply two coats of primer.
3. Use a roller to apply chalkboard or chalk paint to the surface.
4. After drying, apply a second coat.

Your cupboard or buffet will shine in a new way.

Mosaic decoration

Decorating with various small details will help create an art deco atmosphere. Finishing base:

• pieces of multi-colored glass;
• ceramics;
• shells;
• beads;
• sea ​​pebbles;
• artificial flowers.

You can attach the elements to the cabinet with colorless rubber-based glue.

Expert opinion

Victoria Chernikova

Decorator

Before starting work, draw a sketch of the future composition. Place elements on a flat surface for visual representation. This way the drawing will turn out neat.

Mosaic decor will add brightness and elegance to the interior. This design is suitable for any cabinet if the style of the furniture matches the design of the room.

Aging

Cabinets painted with a dry brush will look elegant, which leaves behind only part of the paint, creating the effect of time (only for wooden furniture).

Artificial aging method:

• Paint the surface a color that is several shades darker than the original color. Choose a shade that matches the color scheme of the room.
• Wax some areas. You can use a regular candle.
• Paint your cabinets a light shade, such as cream or beige.
• Wipe the surface with sandpaper, so abrasions will appear.

A simple way to give a cabinet an antique look is to use craquelure. The varnish of the same name is applied to the surface. After drying, small cracks appear on the facade paint.

Kitchen drawers aged with craquelure

Decoupage

The peculiarity of this design is a smooth transition from the pattern to the color of the cabinet.
Use patterned napkins as materials for decoupage, this way you will create the feeling of painting on furniture. The composition can turn out clear, with watercolor gaps.

To decorate the closet:

1. cut out the image or use the entire napkin;
2. divide it into layers;
3. paste the picture;
4. coat the dried surface with varnish.

Decorative rivets

To add brutality to old furniture, you can attach metal parts to the cabinet. For lovers of loft design or stir-punk, it is recommended to decorate the cabinet doors and facade with rivets or nails with decorative heads. With such accents, even standard IKEA furniture will look like a pirate's treasure chest or a cabin on a ship.

Glue the metal parts to the facades. If the surface is covered with leather or thick fabric, you will need nails to carefully attach everything. Combine metal hardware with other decorative techniques (paint or fabric) for a personal touch.

Inlay

This is not finishing with precious stones, but decorating furniture with overlay elements:

• vinyl napkins;
• embroidery;
• lace

What do we do when we decide to change our environment? We start flipping through fashion magazines looking for photos of ultra-modern furniture and asking friends, trying to find an interesting creative idea. And we completely forget that you already have comfortable, completely free and stylish furniture; you just need to put in a little imagination and your own efforts to restore it. Let's try to figure out how to update an old wardrobe with your own hands: photos of restored wardrobes, wardrobes and cupboards will serve as an excellent stimulus for creative impulse.

Modern furniture from leading manufacturers is certainly comfortable and attractive. You walk into your friend’s living room and she has a new set from a famous Italian company. A beautiful facade made of natural oak, gilded fittings, softly shining frosted glass with a sandblasted pattern. However, what can magnificent, expensive wardrobes say about a person, except that he lives in abundance? Perhaps we can also draw conclusions about its good taste.

An excellent alternative to a modern set for a hall or hallway

And an old but updated piece of furniture is on a completely different level. This is a whole story full of interesting events and secrets. This is a greeting from the past, and perhaps from the century before last, when our ancestors did not even know about the existence of convenient drawers on rollers, but they also appreciated the naturalness of the material and a creative approach to design. Items inherited were valued much more than new ones, and antique shops were always full of visitors.

Modern design with elements of ancient painting

To breathe new life into an old wardrobe or bookcase, there are many ways to decorate furniture with your own hands: from simple sanding followed by varnishing to the use of complex patination techniques. The choice of method depends on the taste of the owner of rare furniture and the ability to apply the rules of decorative techniques in practice.

Pasting with bright wallpaper is an effective way to place accents

A few jars of acrylic paint, half a roll of inexpensive paper wallpaper, a tube of wood glue, a set of brushes - and instead of an inconspicuous double-door wardrobe, you get a unique masterpiece of your own making.

Old furniture as an element of a stylish interior

It is a mistake to think that an old cabinet will not “fit” into the framework of a certain style. By choosing the right color and decoration technique, you can create a model that fully meets the overall design concept. If desired, you can remove or replace some elements to give the piece of furniture a certain shape - more strict or laconic.

Truly feminine linen closet decor

Let's return to "grandmother's" closets. The modern generation of grandparents are witnesses to the heyday of the Soviet era, when there was not such a variety of furniture sets, and walls from abroad were considered the highest reward for patience. The style of both domestic and imported (Polish and Czech) furniture is simple, uncomplicated and laconic.

But for master decorators, Soviet-era furniture is a real treasure. Just look at how the old cabinet looks in the photo after restoration with your own hands: you don’t even need a master class to sand and paint all the parts white.

Amazing transformation of a “Soviet” buffet

And who doesn’t remember the polished brown and reddish cherry facades from our childhood? They are very easy to update using the same sandpaper and paint. Pay attention to the decorative elements - light gilding or bronze on a white background looks simply excellent.

Photo comparison of the wardrobe before and after the update

Those who inherited the Soviet wall were incredibly lucky. It can be divided into separate modules and create a first-class modern set for a children's room or cottage. There is only one thing left to do - decide on the color and choose the appropriate decorating technique!

Why do I choose restoration?

It’s easy to understand why many people choose new furniture - it’s prestigious, beautiful and fashionable. I chose a model, placed an order, and within a month, the bedroom is decorated with black glossy splendor. Or an airy snow-white set – whatever you like. Let's try to figure out what makes some people pick up brushes and paints. Moreover, sometimes take a walk through nearby landfills.

Stylish

What guides people who slightly age even a new thing? With style! If your kitchen is dominated by Provence or 100% ecological country style, then even new furniture is usually stylized a little. And don’t just rub the protruding places with sandpaper, but elegantly and skillfully use a special technique, otherwise you won’t get the desired effect. The photo shows an example of how to paint an old cabinet with your own hands in an antique style.

The gentle beauty of Provence

Manufacturers of paints and varnishes compete in the production of special decorative products, which, after application, steal from your furniture for at least a hundred years.

Fashionable

It is interesting that it is becoming fashionable not only to own restored furniture, but also to be able to personally transform old things, to skillfully turn unwanted junk into works of art. If you are not yet familiar with the creative work of designer and decorator Marat Ka, we recommend that you contact her - you will learn a lot about restoration and modern decorating techniques.

Do-it-yourself painting as a way to update old headsets

Surprisingly, the fashion for restoring interior items that have fallen into disrepair has lasted for centuries. Moreover, along with new technologies for making furniture, super-fashionable techniques for decorating and aging are emerging.

Exclusive

If you purchase a cabinet in a store, it is immediately clear that the factory model has more than one hundred twin brothers. The modules ordered from furniture stores are also not original, since the same materials are used to make the facades. But a piece of furniture updated with your own hands is one hundred percent exclusive. Not only is the design “ancient”, but the design will also be special, because paint, wallpaper and fabric are used as decorative elements.

An original technique in which furniture and walls “merge”

It’s convenient that for styling you can choose a color that fully matches the interior palette: neutral, bright or selected based on the principle of contrast.

Practical

Owning a new stylish item for free or almost free is the highest level of practicality and savings. Calculate how much a roll of sandpaper, a can of paint and a set of accessories costs, and then compare with the prices of the most ordinary classic wardrobe. The difference in cost is colossal. An example of how to decorate an old cabinet with your own hands is in the next photo.

A unique interior, more like an expensive designer masterpiece than a budget project

Don’t forget that decorating is a pleasant process and, in fact, a form of relaxation, which means additional savings.

Master class: how to decorate an old wardrobe

As an example, we will tell you in detail how to update old polished furniture with your own hands, namely, an old wardrobe that has been in the country for a long time.

Three-leaf wardrobe with drawers and mirror

There is no point in throwing away a strong, conscientiously assembled piece of furniture, and besides, there are many techniques that can be used to easily restore its beauty and youth. The idea belongs to Maria Talmacheva.

Finding a suitable model

It’s easiest for craftsmen and craftswomen who are happy owners of old furniture - they already have the main object for the embodiment of creative ideas. What should those who live surrounded by new cabinets and cupboards that they don’t want to say goodbye to do? There are several options:

• ask if your friends and acquaintances have a “throwaway” wardrobe and, if the answer is positive, help them get rid of the junk;
• buy old unnecessary furniture on one of the many sites (for example, Avito) at a symbolic price;
• Still, take a risk and remake the current model, which is not very old, but has already served for 10-15 years.

And don’t forget to think about where the new “resident” of your apartment or house will be installed.

Choosing a decoration method

To make the design item look fresh and extraordinary, you should choose one of the popular techniques, in this case - decoupage to update the cabinet facade. You will need thin napkins with an original pattern or ornament. Perhaps it will be pink peonies or birds of paradise; in any case, the facade after finishing will become unrecognizable. We will show you how to restore an old cabinet with your own hands using paper napkins with a beautiful pattern, in which a strict blue color predominates.

Napkins matched to match the handles

Advice for beginners: napkins can be purchased at a hardware store or a special department of a supermarket that sells hand-made products.

Let's remember the nuances of technology

To brush up on your skills, you can practice decorating the inside of a cabinet or drawers. The exercises are especially useful for those who are encountering the decoupage technique for the first time. The main thing is to follow all stages of work and their order.

For interior decoration, the choice fell on bright finishes

For training, you can choose other interior elements, for example, an old stool or chair. Decorative wall decorations made of wood or plastic are also suitable.

Preparing tools and materials

The advantage of decoupage is that it does not require expensive or hard-to-find materials. You will find some of the items at home, the rest you can buy in the supermarket at a low price. The most expensive purchase is the purchase of paint and varnish, but to decorate a small cabinet you can use the leftover paint from a previous renovation. A small photo gallery of necessary things:

Paper napkins with a beautiful pattern

Set of paint brushes – wide and narrow

Paint roller with a tray for squeezing out excess paint

PVA glue for paper or construction work

Acrylic paints in your favorite colors

In addition to the listed items and materials, you will need:

• transparent fixing varnish;
• paraffin (an ordinary white candle will do);
• sandpaper (minimal grit);
• primer for preparing the base for gluing and painting;
• a container with a spray bottle filled with clean water;
• masking paper tape or tape.

If you want to decoupage furniture with your own hands using fabric or wallpaper, use appropriate materials instead of napkins.

Clean the surface and prime the base

Cleaning should be done with a sander or manually using fine-grained sandpaper. Carefully sand all outer surfaces. To remove polishing, it is better to use a power tool, otherwise the process will be delayed. When you achieve ideal smoothness and uniformity of the surface, you need to apply a layer of primer. If you follow the instructions and know exactly when it dries, you can use your free time profitably.

Try to remember all the stages of work, because the skills of decorating old furniture with your own hands can be useful in the future.

Apply 1 layer of paint and cover with paraffin

As soon as the primer is completely dry, we begin painting the facade and walls. First, select a background shade and apply it. In the future, it is possible to add stripes, shapes, borders of a different color. Cover areas that are not to be painted with masking tape. The photo shows a cabinet painted in 1 layer:

Main color – lilac of moderate intensity

Acrylic paint dries quickly, so after 20-25 minutes we begin rubbing the surfaces with paraffin. We touch only those surfaces that we plan to age.

A candle is an excellent tool for creating a layer of paraffin

Areas covered with paraffin can be easily stylized and made more colorful. The next coat of paint comes off perfectly, as a result of which the worn areas appear aged. In our case, a lilac background or wood texture will be visible in the treated areas.

Apply 2 layers of paint

Having paraffinized individual areas, we proceed to re-staining. Mandatory condition: the second layer of paint should be 1-2 tones lighter.

To maintain clear boundaries of the painted areas, do not forget to use masking tape

To paint small-width parts, use a narrow brush.

The transverse elements and the middle of the doors can be painted in a different color - blue, gray or turquoise.

A little bright touches wouldn't hurt

Having made the last stroke, wait for it to dry completely.

We decorate using decoupage technique

We use decoupage to decorate the end parts and front sides of the drawers. The process of fixing a napkin on a vertical surface is very simple. First, apply a piece of a napkin (or the whole thing) to the end of the cabinet, evenly moisten it with water from a spray bottle, then take a brush and carefully smooth the napkin, trying not to damage the edges.

Leveling the napkin is one of the important stages of decoupage

Wetting helps the paper piece to level out

Having achieved perfect smoothness, apply a layer of PVA glue on top of the napkin; it dries in about 20-30 minutes. We paint the areas covered with masking tape a different color.

We age and varnish

It remains to age the pre-selected places, in this case these are the corners and cross slats. Take fine sandpaper and lightly remove the top layer of paint. A lower layer, painted in a brighter color, should appear under it.

The aged areas are clearly visible in the photo.

Paint the inside of the cabinet one color

The finishing touch is applying varnish. For durability, we recommend applying protection 2-3 times, each time waiting until it dries completely.

Installing new fittings

The wardrobe is ready, all that remains is to install the fittings - the design of the lock part and decorative handles. If the store does not find fittings that match the style or color, ordinary silver or gold parts will do.

The handle is designed in the finishing style

Don't forget about drawer handles

After spending just a few hours, instead of an old boring wardrobe, we got a new piece of furniture, stylish and unique.

Elegant wardrobe for country interior

Video instructions for decorating old furniture

How to quickly paint an old cabinet:

How to remove old paint and carefully apply new paint:

Video: master class on restoring old furniture with your own hands:

You have seen just one episode of successful furniture renovation. As you can see, it’s not at all difficult to update an old wardrobe with your own hands: just buy some decorative material and arm yourself with a brush. There are more complex methods of decoration, but coloring and decoupage are simple and effective methods that are accessible even to amateur designers.