Replacing furniture can have a high cost, and not just in terms of money. The environmental impact of creating and shipping new furniture can be extensive. You can help do your bit for the environment and save money at the same time by giving your old dilapidated furniture a facelift.
Here are some ways to save your old furniture from ending up in the bin:
Use it for another purpose
Repurposing furniture allows you to create unique pieces, giving your home character. How effective the repurposing is depends on your imagination. Bookshelves can become cupboards with a little modification. The benefit of this type of repurposing is that the furniture you create will be one of a kind.
Painting and varnishing
Repainting or touching up the varnish of your furniture can give it a new lease of life. Painting is a very cheap solution, allowing you to save money on replacing a piece of furniture. When repainting furniture, you should concentrate on getting the base coat right. This will save a lot of hassle later on. Any imperfections in the base will show through when it is painted later on. Extensive sanding will remove these and result in your furniture looking its best.
To create furniture with a natural feel, why not just sand it back to just the wood. This will completely change its appearance, and will only require you to buy sandpaper.
Reupholstering
Replacing fabric is a quick way to improve the looks of your worn furniture. This is especially effective for rattan and wicker furniture, as the wood can be difficult to maintain and replace.
Even if you do not feel confident enough to reupholster the furniture yourself, going to a professional can be much cheaper than buying brand new.
Take it outside
If your furniture is beyond saving, why not try to repurpose it for use in the garden. This is also a great way to save space in your home. Simply weatherproof the piece with a coat of paint or varnish and your furniture will perform to a high standard outdoors.
If you have any more tips to add regarding repurposing or rejuvenating old furniture, please share them in the comments section below.
This piece was written by Rachel Jensen, a writer for http://desser.co.uk/ , the rattan furniture specialists.
