Recycled Furniture | Thrift Store Finds Recycled
Recycled Furniture Has Character
I just love repurposed and recycled furniture and home décor. For me, there is just something magical about reusing thrift store finds (a piece of furniture or décor) and turning it into something totally different from the original intent or just breathing new life into it.
It's a bit creative and a lot of fun. I have just finished one of my favorite projects so far and wanted to share that and a few other before and afters. Maybe you'll be inspired to find an unwanted and/or unloved piece of furniture or décor and give it a new life.
Image Credit: DecoratingforEvents/Mandee
Instead of ending up in a landfill to deteriorate over years, consider buying vintage, antique or used thrift store finds and redoing them to use in your home.
Be Eco Friendly!
Recycled Furniture | Project: End Tables
This recycle project was about a year in the making. Not because it took that long to do the actual task but because we moved and it ended up at the bottom of the priority list. I just completed it and am very pleased with the outcome.
These two end tables are referred to as "step" style end tables since they emulate a stair step up with two surfaces. They are from the late 60's or 70's and needed some TLC. In their previous life they had been chewed on by a dog, had some water damage and normal wear and tear from daily use and moving them around.
The lines were attractive to me so I bought them with the idea to recycle and make them gorgeous again but with a nod to their age. I decided to distress them a bit and play up some of the damage while still protecting the surface for future use.
You can read how I did this and see all the photos here: Re-do Step End Tables | Ugly to Gorgeous
Here's a sneak peak:
Image Credit: DecoratingforEvents/Mandee
Reference for Paint Finishes for Recycled Furniture - Make a Thrift Store Find Beautiful Again
Need some ideas for how to change up your thrift store find? Try this book that includes step-by-step instructions for using paint to change up furniture and your home. This how-to book will guide you through
More Examples of Repurposed and Recycled Furniture
- Chic and Cheap Ways to Refresh Your Furniture
Spectacular Sideboard: Before This dresser was too ornate for us but had generous storage. Its low profile made it just right to make into a dining-room sideboard. - Turn the Table: Before
With its brown finish, stone top, and basketweave detailing, this side table looked as though it belonged in a tacky motel room circa 1982. We remedied that with a few quick fixes, including a coat of eye-popping green paint. Presto chango: now it's - Red Hen Home: Making an Entrance
I’ve just been working on my “entrance” (or lack thereof). You never get a second chance to make a first impression, right?
Prepping the Surface for Recycling Furniture
I love Zinsser products. Specifically their primers and deglossers. To me, the deglosser works a lot better than trying to sand. Sanding can end up uneven and takes a lot of elbow grease, not to mention making a mess creating a fine dust. The deglosser preps the surface to receive primer beautifully.
The primer is oil based but the spray can is very easy to work with. The finish is a perfect base for your favorite paint and the top coat doesn't have to be oil based. I usually use an acrylic because of the easy clean up. I have found this primer is perfect for furniture recycling and use it all the time!
A Few More Recycled Furniture Projects
Thrift Store Finds
Here, you can see a plant stand, old record cabinet and a pub style table and chairs that I recycled. The styles vary but the fun of choosing what each piece will eventually look like and the actual process itself makes it all the more fun!
Your Turn!
Have you ever refinished, repurposed or recycled furniture?
Items I Use When Recycling Furniture
Quality Counts
Make sure you are using good quality supplies when recycling your furniture. You may be tempted to use cheaper but the finish and lasting look of the piece will be compromised.
Don't sacrifice your time and effort by using inferior quality supplies.
I use Purdy Paint Brushes - when recycling furniture
I like to use a paint brush that I can use over and over again. That makes it an investment. Purdy paint brushes work best for me. They are a quality product that gives terrific results on furniture. Less brush strokes and even paint distribution. An angle brush allows you to get into the cracks and crevices of furniture better, too.
The old saying, " You get what you pay for" definitely applies to your recycling supplies.
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