Old Furniture: How to Update It

All around us one day begins to grow old and wear out, this process is irreversible, albeit almost imperceptible. Furniture is no exception, whether it is an old grandmother's chest of drawers or a favorite chair. Sometimes we start repairs, think over a new interior design, and old furniture does not fit into it. But what if these elements of the environment have become so dear to the heart that there is not the slightest desire to throw them away?

Everyone solves this problem in their own way. Someone gives such things as old furniture to the next of kin, someone puts them in the far corner or takes them to the dacha, but the most humane solution will be decorating old furniture. To breathe life into it in this way is simple enough, and you can do it yourself, and by turning to specialists. With the help of simple manipulations, you can not only update the old furniture, but also change its design and even the purpose. Alternatively, you can make of adult furniture for children and vice versa, if the children have already grown up, and get rid of children's furniture is a pity.

We will tell you about the most popular and effective ways of reviving wooden furniture, which today exists quite a lot. It is worth saying that the choice of this or that option will largely depend on the specifics of that piece of furniture to which we want to present a "second life".

• Furniture repair. Before you update the surface, you must carefully inspect the product and carry out all necessary repairs. It is necessary to fasten and glue all loose / wobbly / cracked parts into place or simply replace them with new ones. If desired, you can order the manufacture of individual pieces of furniture in specialized firms.
• Repainting of furniture. If the table or cabinet is faded, rubbed or faded, you can update it with a normal repainting, both in the same color, and completely in another. Such a simple operation will help to radically change the design, "modernize" old furniture or, for example, "fit" it into the nursery with the help of lighter or more vivid colors. If you have the talent of an artist, furniture can be painted with patterns or drawings.
• Self-adhesive film. A variant of the previous processing, more simple, but less durable. In building and hardware stores, you can now find a variety of film, with a drawing (including "under the tree") and without it. You just need to cover it with an old surface. If you do it neatly, the furniture will look quite decent, but the replacement of the film may take a maximum of a year. And one more thing - this method is suitable only for more or less flat surfaces.
• Simulation of another material. Specialized companies and masters can, with the help of various tools and techniques, create the appearance of natural wood, metal and other material, from what the furniture really is made. There is even such a kind of work as artificial aging of furniture (patination).
• Gilding of furniture. Ideally it will look in combination with a one-color repainting. Usually this work consists of several stages: preparation of the surface, application of special glue, application of gilding and coating with varnish. The process is time-consuming and requires experience and honed skills, but the result is worth the effort.
• Decorative treatment with wax. It is worth mentioning about the "recipe" of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, which is still relevant and effective. Wiping furniture with wax will help to quickly give it an updated look. Before applying the wax, do not forget to remove the old lacquer, if any, with the help of a solvent. The new varnish furniture is not covered in this case, but it's for the best, because most modern varnishes are harmful and even poisonous, and the treatment of furniture with wax will make the color and texture of your favorite tables and chairs no less pleasant looking.
• Woodcarving. Even old furniture from natural wood can be decorated with carvings, if you do it wisely. The variety of types of patterns depends only on your imagination (or your designer's imagination). After processing, the furniture is covered with stain, lacquer or treated with wax.

After such rehabilitation, no one will call your furniture old, and you will not want to leave it for many more years.