Have a boring piece of furniture that you are tempted to leave at the curb next garbage day? If it is still standing, you can give it some pizzazz and make it coordinate with any room in your home by repurposing it with your favorite fabrics.
Are your big kids ready to say goodbye to the baby furniture? Is your dresser so plain it blends in with the wall? Head to your favorite fabric store, find a few patterns to accent your decor and transform your furniture from blah to beautiful. This DIY project is easier than it looks and can be done on almost any piece of furniture in your home.
What you will need:
- Tape measure
- Fabric scissors
- Craft knife
- Modge Podge
- Sponge applicator
- Assorted fabrics
Step 1: Gather your supplies
Decide on what colors will best accent the room your furniture is in and find fabrics that include these colors. Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and colors but try to select thin fabric that will best adhere to wood.
Step 2: Prep your project
Wipe down the furniture you are planning to resurface, including the knobs, and dry completely. Remove all knobs and screws that interfere with the surface you plan to cover. Remove drawers and/or doors you plan to cover if possible.
Play with the fabrics you have selected, arranging them in different orders against your furniture until you come up with a plan you like best for placement.
If you have a lot of things around the house you can’t bear to get rid of, try these alternatives to throwing away old items >>
Step 3: Measure, mark and cut
Using your tape measure, note the length and width of each panel you plan to cover. Add at least an inch of fabric to each of these measurements. Measure and cut your fabric accordingly. Do not be too concerned about getting your lines perfectly straight or making sure edges do no fray, the edges will all be excess fabric and ultimately cut away.
Step 4: Seal your surface
Generously cover the entire surface where you plan to apply fabric with fabric glue using a sponge applicator. Make sure you cover every corner and edge in the wood well.
Place the fabric evenly against the surface you have just covered, starting with the center and smoothing outward from there. Smooth out all bubbles and wrinkles in the fabric. Use the edge of your applicator or a pencil to make sure all corners are pressed in firmly.
Once you are happy with the placement of your fabric, coat the fabric with another layer of fabric glue using the sponge applicator.
Repeat this process with each drawer/door you plan to cover.
Looking for more ideas? Try our guide to repurposing furniture >>
Step 5: Dry and trim
Let your work dry completely before trimming the edges. It should be set within an hour but if you check on it and the edges are peeling up at all, apply more fabric glue and repeat the drying process.
Once the surfaces are completely dry, use a craft knife to carefully trim all excess fabric from your furniture panels. Take extra care around corners as the fabric may pull away from your surface. If this happens try using a pencil or the end of your sponge applicator to hold the corner piece in place as you trim away the excess fabric, then apply sealant to seal the area.
Step 6: Finishing touches
When your work is completely dry, wipe off the surface with a cool, damp cloth. Poke holes through the fabric in the location where your knobs need to return with a craft knife and and secure knobs to their original places. Insert doors/drawers back into place.
Step back and admire your work!
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