Upcycling wooden furniture for beginners

It’s natural to want to decorate your space to reflect your personal style. However, that desire can come with hefty price tag, and with so many of us feeling the pinch, it’s not always practical for us to buy the latest must-have interior piece. A great way frugal decorators are finding a way around this conundrum is by upcycling wooden furniture.

Whether you’re buying cheaper alternatives from your local second-hand store or utilising furniture you already have around your home, this blog is your complete guide to upcycling furniture for beginners.  

Jump to:

• What is upcycling?
• Buying used furniture
• What to look for
• Where to look for potential upcycling furniture
• Guide to upcycling wooden furniture
• Repairing furniture with wood filler
• Preparing to upcycle wooden furniture
• Painting your wooden furniture
• Changing hardware on upcycled furniture

What is upcycling?

So, what exactly do we mean by upcycling furniture? Well, upcycling is the process of taking unwanted or used items of furniture and transforming them into something new, visually appealing or even valuable. It’s a creative way to give something a new look and function that’s also great for the planet. 

Guide to upcycling wooden furniture

Whether you’re breathing new life into a tired piece or giving it a fresh look, this guide will walk you through every step of the process. We’ll cover how to properly prepare your furniture for upcycling, including sanding and cleaning, how to repair any damage using wood filler, and finally, how to paint and finish your piece for a stunning transformation.

Repairing furniture with wood filler

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need to hand, which may include:

• Wood filler (choose a filler that matches the type of wood you're repairing)
• A putty knife or scraper
• Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
• A clean cloth
• Paint or stain (if necessary)

Prepare the surface

Clean the damaged area thoroughly. Use a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt, or any loose debris around the crack or hole. Allow the surface to dry completely before continuing with the following steps.

Remove loose or damaged wood

If the damaged area has splinters or loose wood, gently remove them. You can use a scraper or utility knife to clear away any excess. This ensures that the wood filler adheres properly to the surface.

Apply the wood filler

Using a putty knife, scoop a small amount of wood filler and press it firmly into the damaged area. Smooth it out so that it's slightly higher than the surrounding wood. Make sure the filler fills the gap entirely without leaving air pockets.

Allow the filler to dry

Follow the recommended drying time on the filler packaging. Typically, drying can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the depth of the damage and the filler type you’ve used.

Sand the area

Once the filler is completely dry, carefully sand the area using medium-grit sandpaper. Smooth it out until the filler is level with the rest of the surface. Switch to fine-grit sandpaper for a smoother finish.

Wipe away any dust

After sanding, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any dust. This ensures a clean surface for painting or staining.

Paint or stain the repaired area (optional)

If you want to blend the repair with the rest of the furniture, apply paint or stain. Match the colour as closely as possible for a seamless finish.

Seal the repair (optional)

To protect your newly repaired surface, consider sealing it with a clear varnish or topcoat, especially if the furniture piece gets a lot of use.

Preparing to upcycle wooden furniture

Upcycling wooden furniture is a great way to breathe new life into your old pieces while saving money and reducing waste. Before you dive into painting, it’s important to properly prep the item to ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish.

Start by giving the piece a thorough clean with sugar soap or tri-sodium phosphate (T.S.P.) to remove any dirt or grease, and allow it to dry completely. Next, check for imperfections like scratches or holes – these can be easily fixed with wood filler. Once the filler has dried, it’s time to sand. Begin with 80-grit sandpaper to remove any sheen, then work your way up to a finer 120 or even 180-grit for a smooth finish. Remember to always sand in the direction of the wood grain.

Once you’ve finished sanding, use a tack cloth or a bit of white spirit to wipe away any dust. Now, your furniture is perfectly prepped and ready for paint!

Painting your wooden furniture

Now that you’ve cleaned, filled, and prepped your wooden furniture, it’s time to begin the painting process. Painting might seem like the fun part of your upcycling project, and for the most part it is. However, there are some tips and tricks you should keep in mind before breaking out the brushes. To help, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide.

Choose the Right Paint

The first step to achieving that high-end finish on a budget is to select the right paint for the job. Not all paints are made equally, and the formula you choose will have a knock-on effect on the end result.

Depending on your desired finish, you’ll need to choose the right paint for the job. These may include: 

• Chalk paint: Great for a matte, vintage look as it’s easy to distress.
• Acrylic or latex paint: Durable and available in various finishes, which is ideal for high-traffic items.
• Oil-based paint: Offers a hard, glossy finish but requires longer drying time and solvent for clean-up.

Top tip: It’s a clever idea to test a few paint samples on a small, inconspicuous area to see how they look once dried.

Prepare your workspace

Now you’ve selected the right paint for the job, it’s time to find the right setting for the work. Choose a well-ventilated area of your home (ideally outside or with excellent airflow) to avoid inhaling any fumes.

Once you’ve found the ideal space, lay down a drop cloth to protect the floor or surrounding furniture from paint splatters.

Now you’ve prepared the area, it’s time to gather your tools. You will need:

• Paintbrushes or rollers (a foam roller can provide a smooth finish)
• A paint tray
• A paint stirrer
• A drop cloth or old newspapers

Priming your furniture (optional step)

If you're working with dark or stained wood, or planning to use chalk paint, applying a primer is a great way to improve adhesion and coverage.

For darker woods, a stain-blocking primer works best, while slick surfaces benefit from a bonding primer. Once you've chosen the right primer, simply use a brush or roller to apply a thin, even coat, and make sure it dries fully according to the manufacturer's instructions before moving on to painting.

Paint your furniture

Start by using a small brush to carefully paint the edges, corners, and any detailed areas first. For larger, flat surfaces, switch to a foam roller to cover more area quickly and evenly. Be sure to apply several thin coats rather than one thick one to avoid drips and uneven texture. And don’t forget to follow the paint manufacturer’s guidelines for drying times between each coat!

Changing hardware on upcycled furniture

One of the quickest and inexpensive ways to breathe new life into a piece of wooden furniture is through hardware. The handles or knobs that an item features can be a dead give-away of the age of a piece – swapping them out can trick your loved ones into thinking it’s a much newer item than it seems. Here are some simple steps to follow if you’re considering swapping out hardware on your wooden furniture:

Remove the current hardware

Use a screwdriver to carefully unscrew the bolts or screws on the drawer interiors. Hold the handle with one hand to prevent it from falling. Once all the bolts or screws have been loosened and removed, carefully detach the handle or knob from your item of furniture.

Fill in the holes

Now you’ve removed the old hardware, it’s time to fill in the holes that it’s left. Filling in these imperfections can give the illusion that your new hardware has always been there and provides a seamless finish. 

To start, use your putty knife to scoop a small amount of wood filler and press it firmly into the holes. Smooth it out to ensure it’s slightly higher than the surrounding wood. 

Using a putty knife, scoop a small amount of wood filler and press it firmly into the damaged area. Smooth it out so that it's slightly higher than the surrounding wood. Make sure the filler fills the gap entirely without leaving air pockets.

Sand down your filler

Now that you’ve filled in the holes from the previous hardware, it’s time to sand down your filler to achieve an undetectable finish. Starting with a medium-grit sandpaper, smooth out your filler until it’s level with the rest of the surface. Once level, switch to fine-grit sandpaper for a smoother finish.

Prime and paint the filled areas

Once your filler is sanded and fully set, it’s time to seal your handy work with the primer and paint of your choice. This step can help give the illusion that the original handles never existed, resulting in a clean and professional finish.

Fit your new hardware

After selecting the perfect handles and knobs for your upcycled furniture, it’s time to install them. This step will vary depending on the type of hardware you’re using, so follow the relevant steps for your chosen handles or knobs: