Up-cycling furniture: chalk paint chic
Most of my furniture come from charity shops, markets, Freegle and Facebook Marketplace. As usual I like the idea of recycling items, rather than buying new. I also think that these pre-loved pieces fit in better with the overall boho, eclectic decor that I have chosen for my house.
Learning to up-cycle these items, with chalk paint for example, means that I can give them a new lease of life and surround myself with colourful pieces for a fraction of the price that vintage, wood furniture would cost in the shops.
Below are the steps that I follow when I source a new piece of furniture that looks a bit tired, dated and unloved to turn it into a new, bright addition to my home.
Preparing the item
- Clean item thoroughly. I use sugar soap or create a solution made of equal parts white vinegar and water
- Fill any scratches or holes. I use basic wood filler
- Sand the item. This helps take any sheen off and remove old paint. Always sand in the same direction as the grain of the wood
- Clean again in preparation for painting. I just use a cloth to remove the dust created from sanding.
Painting
The easiest and most effective way I have found to up-cycle furniture is to paint them in a new, brighter colour.
I find that chalk paint is easy to use and apply for that purpose. It also dries quickly and does not have an overpowering smell. You also don’t need to use a primer with most chalk paints.
After using chalk paint, I then apply chalk paint wax to seal and protect the furniture and to help the paint last longer.
Other techniques I have used include giving some of my items a ‘distressed’, vintage look is layering different chalk paint colours and then sanding in places to reveal parts of the paint layer below.
I mostly use Annie Sloan and French Chic brands of chalk paint.
Decorating further
My plan is to learn about using stencils and re-upholstering next, so I can further customise and decorate my furniture. I also hope one day to get the right tools that would allow me to build my own furniture, such as a garden bench.
