Repairing and rejuvenating second-hand furniture is a fun way to decorate your home with personality and flair – without breaking the bank. If you don’t know where to start, be inspired by this fantastic furniture flip. We transformed a tired vintage chair into a throne that’s fit for a princess. Here’s how to complete this DIY project yourself:
Give all the timber surfaces a light sand using 120 grit sandpaper and wipe away all the dust using a clean, damp cloth or a dusting brush.
If there are any holes or dents, fill these in with Resene EzyFill Quick and allow to dry before sanding smooth and wiping away the sanding dust.
Varnished wood that cannot be painted on directly, so use a brush to apply a single coat of Resene Waterborne Sureseal on the varnished areas.
Resene Waterborne Sureseal is especially designed for interior areas and hard-to-paint slippery surfaces such as varnished furniture and Lockwood® finishes. Allow to dry.
Using a good-quality paintbrush, apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel, allowing dry time between coats. We used the colours Resene Putty, Resene Saltpan, Resene Spitfire and Resene Gelato.
Painting the rattan backrest is a fiddly job and may require detail paintbrushes to paint the hard-to-reach parts of the chair.
Once the paint has dried, it’s time to upholster the seat of the chair. Cut the foam padding to size and secure into place with upholstery tacks. Then stretch and pin the decorative fabric into place.
Well done! You’ve just given a tired old chair a beautiful new look.
With the rising cost of living, these furniture upcycling tips will save you money, while also preventing waste going to landfill.
Which paint should I use when upcycling furniture?
Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss and Resene Enamacryl gloss are well suited for painting furniture. These Eco Choice-approved waterborne paints are hardwearing and durable and ideal for items such as chairs, which receive a lot of wear and tear. If you prefer a matte look, try Karen Walker Chalk Colour paint and wax.
How to restain an old table
To rejuvenate an old wooden dining or side table, sand back the surface using an electric sander, making sure all the varnish has been removed. Wipe away any dust using a clean, damp cloth. Apply Resene Colorwood natural wood stain using a paintbrush or speedbrush in smooth strokes, following the grain of the timber. Wipe off any excess stain.
Maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks in the stain, and allow the first coat to dry before applying a second coat. Protect timber stained with Resene Colorwood by applying Resene Aquaclear waterborne urethane varnish using a brush and following the grain of the timber. Resene Colorwood and Resene Aquaclear are only suitable for indoor surfaces.
Which stain should I use on outdoor furniture?
To rejuvenate outdoor furniture, use Resene Furniture and Decking Oil for a lightly oiled look, Resene Woodsman wood oil stain for a coloured stain finish or Resene Timber and Furniture Gel for a non-drip option for fiddly furniture and small jobs.
Paint over a vase, jar or bowl
Bring new life into ageing or discoloured glass or plastic vases by applying one coat of Resene Waterborne Sureseal before painting with Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel or Karen Walker Chalk Colour, available from Resene ColorShops. Or use leftover Resene testpots for your topcoats and paint a design to suit your room’s colour palette.
How to age or use an antique effect on furniture:
Furniture projects are the perfect opportunity to experiment with your paint and colour choices – you might just find yourself some new favourite finishes to use for other projects around your home.
Resene EzyFill Quick
Resene Waterborne Sureseal
pigmented sealer
Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss
waterborne enamel
Resene Enamacryl gloss
waterborne enamel
Karen Walker Chalk Colour
Karen Walker Vintage Wax
Karen Walker Soft Wax
Resene Colorwood
natural wood stain
Resene Aquaclear
waterborne urethane varnish
Resene Furniture
and Decking Oil
Resene Woodsman
Wood Oil Stain
Resene Timber
and Furniture Gel
Resene FX Crackle
crackle effect
Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen
Updated May 2024: Resene Waterborne Sureseal is recommended for use on glass prior to topcoating, in place of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer.
About MasterStroke by Resene
MasterStroke by Resene is here to help you master your paint and decorating DIY projects. Brush up on your skills with advice, tips and ideas from our trusted experts.
