Upcycling means reusing an old piece for a new purpose or a new look. In a bedroom, that usually means a fresh coat of paint, new hardware or a new job for the piece. In a kitchen it can mean a bigger change, such as a dresser turned into an island or a bookcase turned into pantry storage. Whatever you choose, check the structure and the finish first.
What it’s called
Most people call it upcycling, refinishing or repurposing, depending on what changes. Upcycling usually adds value or a new use. Refinishing restores or updates the original finish. Repurposing gives a piece a new job with little change to its look.
Bedroom ideas
- Paint a dresser and swap the hardware. It is the most common update and the cheapest. See how to paint a dresser with drawers.
- Turn a dresser into a TV stand or changing table. Check the height and anchor it to the wall.
- Use an old door or panel as a headboard. Mount it securely, and check the weight it needs to carry.
- Turn a bed frame or headboard into a bench. Keep the seat level and the joints tight.
- Wallpaper or stencil the drawer fronts. It is a low-cost update that changes the look without repainting the whole piece.
Kitchen ideas
- Dresser or sideboard as an island. This is a popular conversion. Standard kitchen counter height is about 36 inches (900 to 915 mm), and bar height is about 42 inches (around 1065 mm). Dressers are often 30 to 34 inches tall, so you may need casters and a butcher-block top about 1.5 inches (38 mm) thick to reach counter height. Lock the casters.
- Bookcase as pantry shelving. Anchor it to the wall.
- Old table with a stained top. Paint the base and stain or refinish the top, which takes the most wear. A sound top can often be restained without stripping.
- Mismatched chairs painted one colour. The consistent colour ties the set together. Fix them first, as in how to restore an old chair.
- Crate or drawer as open shelving. Removing the drawers from a dresser can create open shelves for cookbooks or baskets.
For a practical walkthrough of painting a dresser, see how to paint a dresser with drawers.
Check the structure first
Before you paint or convert anything, check that it is solid. Re-glue loose joints, tighten or replace loose drawer runners, and check for wobble. Wood furniture repair covers the common fixes. A piece that moves will not be safer or better looking once it is painted.
Island height and casters
Measure the height you need before you cut anything. For a dresser island, the top has to sit at counter height once the casters and top are added. Use casters that lock, and keep the island stable on a level floor.
Food-prep surfaces
Bare wood finished with food-safe mineral oil or a butcher-block oil is the right choice for a chopping surface. Do not paint a surface that will be used for food preparation, or finish it with furniture wax. For other kitchen pieces, use an enamel or paint with two to three coats of water-based polyurethane. Chalk-style paint alone is not durable enough for a kitchen.
Easy updates
- Contact paper on drawer fronts or cabinet doors.
- Wallpaper applied with Mod Podge on drawer fronts or inside panels.
- Stencils on a dresser front.
- New hardware, with old holes filled and sanded before you drill new ones.
Costs and value
Upcycling does not always save money. Hardware, tops, casters and sealers add up. Also check the value of the piece before you change it. Valuable antiques lose value when they are painted, and that loss is hard to undo. If a piece might be an antique, get an appraisal before you paint it. The old furniture value guide explains what to check.
Safety
- Anchor tall dressers and bookcases to the wall. They can tip over, especially in homes with children.
- Test paint on pre-1978 pieces (US) for lead before you sand them, and take extra care with kitchen or nursery furniture.
- Lock the casters on any island.