How to restore a cabinet from chipboard with your own hands. How to update an old closet. Tools that may come in handy at work

Today, many people have old furniture at home. It seems to be a pity to throw it away, but it also spoils the view. In reality, a simple restoration is needed. How to do it? Let's find out in this article.

Work process

Let's say we have this closet. After the update, it will stand in the hallway. It can be said to welcome guests. First you need to remove everything that you can. This is primarily a door. The mezzanine should be at the bottom. It will be convenient to store shoes here. Bars are placed under it along the edges, which are screwed with self-tapping screws.

The cabinet on top must be divided with a partition. Usually any board of the appropriate size will do.

On one side, put a crossbar. It is perfect for coats and other clothes. On the other hand, you need to put 2-3 shelves. Boards will do again.

In this photo you can see the switch. But for him it is possible to simply cut a small hole.

The bottom of the furniture became the top. Here you can store umbrellas and hats. As a rule, old furniture is not very attractive. But this is easy to change. All you have to do is paint it white. It is practically universal. Such a miniature mezzanine will fit perfectly into the distance that exists between the main cabinet and the wall. Self-tapping screws and corners are used for fastening.

First, sand the entire surface. Everything is covered with putty before painting. Cover everything thoroughly with paint. Then treat the surface with varnish for durability.

Doors are painted in the same color. You can use patterns from an old cabinet. Just be sure to treat them with gold paint.

Due to the fact that the doors from another cabinet turned out to be small, I had to use a special insert. There are many decorative solutions. But you can additionally screw the handles you like.

Shelves can be pasted over with a film, and the rest can be treated with acrylic enamel, which is odorless. On the left side, you can make a special decorative cutout. Look how great it looks.

As you can see, such a restoration is quite simple to carry out. This does not require a lot of money and time. Almost anyone can do this. So you can process almost any furniture. Naturally, you can make some adjustments of your own. Just use your imagination.

What can be done from an old closet? No need to rush to throw away or give away. Let's take a closer look at some of the options with ideas for using the closet.

Desktop

From the walls of the cabinet, you can design a desktop for children. And from the shelves to make closed drawers for the table. Then carefully connect everything and clean it with sandpaper. Next, apply several coats of wood varnish.

Important! Let the first coat of varnish dry well before applying the second.

Cabinet

Make a versatile nightstand out of an old closet. Such a new piece of furniture will always come in handy. After all, you can put any accessories that will always be at hand in it. The originality of the cabinet will give drawings with patterns. And to make the cabinet look more comfortable, put a flower plant in a pot on top of it.

Wrapping or painting a cabinet

Updating an old wardrobe and giving it a second life is very simple. The main thing is to choose the right material for gluing. Self-adhesive wallpaper will do.

Reference! Before pasting, you need to unscrew the handles of the cabinet for a while, then you will get a striking effect.

If you have chosen to paint the part, then choose a varnish or special paint to match the color of your apartment interior. The assortment in hardware stores has a wide selection for every color and taste.

Important! The style is given by two types of painting. Recommended for example in black and white, etc.

Shelf in the garage

Depending on the size of the old cabinet, you can make a shelf of any size in the garage with your own hands. Since there are almost always a lot of different tools scattered in the corners in the garage, a shelf is required for them. Assembly of the shelf takes less than an hour.

Sideboard

The sideboard is done in several stages:

Make an ordinary rectangular nightstand and fasten a light back half from the cabinet to the back on both sides. And for more beauty, add a mirror with holders along the edges of the contour.
In the cabinet on the inside, attach two slats for shelves.

Floor stand for flowers

The stand can be made in any shape. The ideological version in the form of a square pyramid. Much more flower pots will fit on such a stand. Geometric shapes are the fashion trend of the 21st century. Originality without repetition. In the store, such a stand is unlikely to be found and purchased.

Important! The bottom square needs to be stronger and more stable because the main weight of the flower pots and pyramidal subsequent structures will push down.

Potato box

The fastest way to make such a box from an old cabinet is suitable for large amounts of potato storage. Just put the cabinet on the back wall, open the door and pour in the potatoes. If you need a much smaller size, then disassemble the old cabinet and assemble a regular box from the walls. To add beauty, you can design a cover for a lock or a latch.

Soft ottomans for the hallway

Remove the shelves and connect them together to make a square. Put foam rubber in size on the top and sheathe it with a cloth. The walls of the ottoman can be painted in any suitable color.

How to paint an old wardrobe with your own hands? In any living space you can find furniture that makes up its interior. Here you can find chairs, tables of various shapes, armchairs, sofas, cabinets. Such furniture is constantly in sight and, in addition to its immediate functions, it is necessary that it be attractive and decorate the interior of the room.

In this case, the question becomes relevant, how to paint the old cabinet? How to do this will tell the article.

How to prepare a product for painting

Tip: Any cabinet with peeling paint can be made beautiful and spectacular. Therefore, you should not throw away old models, you can simply repaint them.

Features of old furniture:

It has the best quality.
Natural materials are used for its manufacture.
Furniture items are more reliable and durable.

Cabinets can be made from different materials:

From a tree.
From chipboard. Such material absorbs less moisture than wood. Therefore, chipboard will take longer to dry, it is much easier to create the desired color on it, a smaller layer of primer is used, compared to wooden products.

When preparing furniture for painting, you must:

Remove all removable items:

pens;
loops;
boxes;
doors.

The result should be a completely clean cabinet frame.

Any furniture ages over time, loses its previously attractive appearance. But do not rush to throw away a shabby chest of drawers or a wardrobe with an outdated design - they can still not only be brought back to life, but made better, more original and more aesthetic than before. Today we will talk about how to make a beautiful decoration of an old cabinet with your own hands using available materials.

1. Painting

The most reliable, simple and effective solution, which at the same time gives a lot of visual options: from the palette to the way the paint is applied.

You can completely update the furniture using one color. Or cover only certain parts of it, for example, drawers, doors, handles, sides. A wardrobe painted under ombre looks modern: from a rich to dull shade in full height.

Owners of vintage wood chests of drawers with a rich texture should think twice before covering up such beauty. It is better to cover such objects with a thin, diluted layer, without hiding the luxury of antiquity.

Acrylic is rightfully considered the best type of paint for such work: it mixes well, is washed off in case of errors during operation, and does not leave pungent odors. Acrylic primer is combined with it.

Of course, this type of decor does not hide the imperfections of the surface of the object, so the latter must first be prepared. Usually, a little work with sandpaper is enough for this. But as a result, you get a completely new wardrobe!

2. Stencils and stickers

Stencils or vinyl stickers are great proof that beautiful things can be created without great artistic ability. With their help, you can decorate the closet with geometric patterns or more complex floral arrangements. The main thing is that it will look neat.

Such decor will fit well into modern design, especially if simple shapes are used. With paint and a stencil, you can turn a nondescript old closet into a bright room accent.

The image is applied to a bare prepared surface or a pre-painted background. You can create smooth lines by taking duct tape, which will help you draw clear boundaries.

3. Wallpaper

If updating furniture is one of the stages of a recent renovation, do not rush to throw away the remaining meters of wallpaper. They are perfect for decorating an old wardrobe, hiding some of its shortcomings from prying eyes. Only the frame part will have to be coated with paint in advance, since the paper base does not adapt well to any bends.

However, a vintage ornament will look very appropriate in combination with the texture of an old tree. Wallpapers can fit into almost any interior, as they offer wide visual variability: not only colors, patterns, but also surface textures, as they are matte, glossy or embossed. You can decorate doors, sides, even internal shelving.

The rules for gluing depend on the type of wallpaper chosen. For some, you need to carefully level the coating, while others are able to cope with the shortcomings of the furniture themselves. For better preservation of the finished product - it is covered with a protective varnish.

Wallpaper for decorating a cabinet does not have to be chosen, focusing on quality and environmental friendliness. Unlike walls, which form the "climate" in the room, they play only a decorative function.

4. Decoupage

You can decorate the cabinet with a pattern so that it merges firmly with its surface using good old decoupage. This method, probably, was encountered by everyone in school time at the lessons of labor or needlework. Despite the "childish" simplicity, the finished product can look professional and even luxurious - depending on the accuracy of the work done.

You can use ordinary napkins with the pattern you like, since today they depict anything: flowers, animals, landscapes, even paintings by famous artists. The pattern can be clear or slightly translucent, depending on the style of the chest of drawers.

Make sure that when applying thin paper, bubbles and wrinkles do not form on the coating - they need to be smoothed out immediately or started over. After the napkin dries, do not forget to coat it with varnish, as it is quite sensitive to external influences.

As the main material, you can also use newspapers, letters, tram tickets - in general, everything that will look good on your furniture.

5. Fabric

Fabric can also be used to decorate an old cabinet, and even trimmings are suitable to create a kind of craft look. Sheathing an object completely will not work, especially if it does not have a flat surface. But to close some details, making bright accents is a great solution.

Each type of fabric has its own texture: smooth silk for a sophisticated interior or coarse linen for Provence. In this property lies its advantage over other materials, not to mention the rich assortment of colors.

A separate option is the use of lace, which will ideally fit into the classics or complement the space of a sophisticated nature. In any case, to apply the fabric to the cabinet cover, it is enough to buy ordinary PVA glue.

6. Mosaic

Mosaic decor looks very bright and aesthetically pleasing, especially in the Art Deco style. A wardrobe decorated with a picture of small details will become the main “hero” of the room and will attract the attention of guests. Especially when they find out who is the author of the product.

Pieces of “broken” ceramics or multi-colored glass are traditionally used as mosaic details. You can expand this list by adding, for example, shells, sea pebbles or other material suitable for creating artistic compositions.

You can mount the elements on the surface of the cabinet using ordinary glue, attaching them one by one in the specified sequence. It is recommended to think over in advance not only the general drawing by making a small sketch, but also the location of each piece. To do this, arrange them "dry", and then begin the gluing process.

7. Mirror

A mirror is a very tricky item that hides what is behind it and focuses attention on the interior reflected in it. Using it to decorate an old closet will transform the entire space.

A wardrobe with a mirror facade is ideal for small spaces, which visually enlarges it. It is best to take a closet with a flat surface as a basis, which will allow you to mount a full-height mirror. In other cases, horizontal inserts, curly details, or even a mirror mosaic will look good.

8. Gilding

Gold can decorate not only women's necks, but also your wardrobe. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to give a lot of money for the sake of a luxurious look. Today, there are many alternatives for decoration, one of them is gold foil.

It is good not only for the price, but also for the possibilities - to completely cover the object or “loom” in the form of sophisticated patterns. It is easy to work with it, and the result can simply be fixed with varnish for reliability.

But keep in mind that the facade of the cabinet for such material must be appropriate. Firstly, even and perfectly smooth, otherwise the foil will not adhere well. Secondly, dark - to emphasize the "luxury" of gold.

9. Slate surface

“School” boards, which many people have nightmares about since childhood, are very popular today, especially in loft spaces. They are interactive and can be used to develop creativity or plan the day. In any case, such an acquisition will never become superfluous. So why not fit it into the front of the cabinet?

The easiest way is to paint the doors with a special slate paint, which gives a dull surface. The cabinet must be cleaned of dust and dirt, apply the product in two layers, and then wait until completely dry.

There is also a slate film, but you still need to be able to glue it correctly, which is why this solution loses to the first one.

10. Aging

What to do if you need to decorate the interior in the Provence style, but your furniture does not look old enough? The answer suggests itself - help her grow old! The process is like real art, and implementation techniques range from simple to complex, from imitation to realistic.

The easiest way to give a cabinet a vintage look is to use craquelure lacquer, which cracks when dry, creating a distinctive antique look. For Provence, respectively, you need to take white paint or other pastel shades.

Furniture looks good with a facade painted with a dry brush, leaving a small amount of paint that seems to have worn off over time.

For a more realistic effect, it is necessary to process the coating, creating noticeable reliefs. Then apply acrylic, on top of it - glaze, the amount of which is regulated with a regular sponge. But for this method, you will have to completely disassemble the cabinet.

11. Rivets

Sometimes all old furniture needs is a few accents to make it aesthetically pleasing. Some styles love rough, brutal pieces with history and character, especially loft or steampunk. In this case, to heighten the effect, you can decorate the cabinet doors with metal rivets, as well as staples that will completely change the concept of a shabby chest of drawers.

The necessary parts are easily attached with glue to the wooden facade. But if you cover it with leather, you will have to use nails to fix the rivets beautifully.

Video: How to decorate a wardrobe - do-it-yourself decor

It happens that old furniture becomes unusable. You can use it, but the appearance does not cause positive emotions. To extend the life of the product, you need to restore it. Before you restore an old cabinet, you need to decide on a set of tools, as well as on the technique that will be applied.

The components that will be used during the restoration of the product depend on the chosen method of work. If there are no certain skills in the decor, do not despair - we recommend paying attention to the following types of work:

cabinet painting;
the use of craquelure varnish;
decoupage technique.

Painting

Craquelure

These methods of repairing the product can be carried out even by a teenager. Do-it-yourself cabinet restoration involves having an idea or choosing the style of a future masterpiece. To do this, you should turn to the existing interior: if it is made in a vintage style, the craquelure varnishing technique is suitable. If the interior is made in a classic style - choose painting with subsequent application of the image. When the design of a room requires elements of romance, decoupage is a good solution.

Restoration of a chipboard cabinet begins with the repair of visible defects. To proceed to the decor of facades and ends, you should carefully examine the hinges of the product, check the integrity of the fittings. Open the cabinet and inspect the drawer slides, and check the interior for chips and holes. All observed defects must be eliminated. This is easy to do with a hammer and nails, as well as by changing faulty mechanisms for new counterparts.

A universal list of tools for restoring an old cabinet with your own hands looks like this:

sandpaper or grinder - to give the plane a flat and smooth surface;
screwdriver or screwdrivers according to the diameter of all bolts - for possible adjustment of the product and removal of accessories before stripping;
spatula - for covering holes and chips;
a paint roller and a narrow brush - in order to renew the coating;
wood glue or PVA;
set of replacement screws.

Directly for the decoupage technique, you will need napkins with a pattern or ornament, acrylic varnish, a special thin synthetic brush with fan-shaped bristles. Also, the restoration of an old cabinet implies the presence of a primer, putty for wood, paint for working in the staining technique, masking tape. To apply craquelure, you will need a varnish of the same name.

It is necessary to immediately decide on the idea of \u200b\u200brestoration, because without an idea it will not work to make a beautiful product. Consult with household members and find out about their desires.

Tools and materials for decoupage

Stages of restoration by painting

Before studying a master class on painting a product for storing clothes, it is recommended to carry out preparatory work on wood. These include cleaning and grinding the old coating. It is important to achieve a smooth surface so that when painting, the brush applies the composition evenly.

For small areas, use sandpaper; for large areas, use a grinder. The final stage of preparation always involves the use of sandpaper on wood of the finest grit.

As soon as work with defects is completed, decorators are advised to move on to the primer. This stage is no less important than the painting itself. It is necessary to restore the old cabinet with your own hands with high quality, so the soil will be an excellent solution: it will hide all the cracks and fill the pores. In addition, the coating treated with primer will absorb less coloring composition.

After waiting for the product to dry completely, we restore the cabinet with paint:

we unscrew all the fittings that will prevent the brush from penetrating into narrow places;
those elements that cannot be removed are sealed with masking tape to preserve their original appearance;
for painting wood, it is better to use special acrylic compounds - they lie better on a plane and create a protective layer of the film. Pour the paint into the container for the roller and get to work;
first, we process all the internal elements: shelves, compartments, mezzanines. After that, we proceed to painting the facades, as shown in the photo;
after the first coat has dried, apply a second, and if necessary, a third coat of paint. This is necessary to achieve color brightness and complete filling of all gaps;
the dried cabinet must be varnished in several stages.

Restoration masters advise to show imagination and make the wardrobe not in a monochromatic design, but add several colors to the facades. The simplest option is geometric shapes. To do this, use masking tape to seal some part of the facade and paint the remaining area in a different color. For originality, you can arrange a cabinet in a contrasting design.

Removing the old coating

Detail grinding

Chips are sealed with putty

Surface primer

Painting parts

The use of craquelure

The technique of coating wooden products with a special varnish, consisting of 2 components, will allow you to transform an out-of-fashion closet. With its help, it is really possible to create an old wardrobe used by grandmothers. To perform the work, you will need PVA glue, craquelure, acrylic paint and varnish, a wide brush.

The technique also does not require specialized talents, all manipulations are similar to ordinary staining. The algorithm of actions looks like this:

preparation - the old product is polished, if necessary, putty is used to seal large holes. The final stage of preparation will be a primer in several layers;
coloring - for work you will need compositions of 2 colors: dark and light. They do not have to be in harmony - the dark version serves to design cracks, and the light one - for the main coloring. Using a brush, apply a dark color, evenly distributing it over the surface of the product;
craquelure - once the paint layer has dried, you can apply craquelure. This must be done quickly and preferably in several layers - the greater the thickness of the varnish, the more visible the cracks will be. Dry the product to a state of slight sticking of the fingers;
the second color - a master class on craquelure at this stage suggests applying a light color and waiting for gradual drying. As soon as the coating dries, a characteristic mesh will become visible;
lacquering - a fully dried restored cabinet is covered with acrylic lacquer to fix the effect.

When choosing a craquelure, it should be borne in mind that if there is an image on the cabinet, you should not touch it. For this, a two-phase composition is used, the work with which is characterized by application in 2 stages.

This technique is suitable for the restoration of cabinet facades, however, similar manipulations can be performed inside the product. A beautiful vintage wardrobe will appeal to all lovers of vintage interiors.

Decoupage

Modern art stores will surprise any novice craftsman or amateur with an abundance of assortment of napkins and decoupage paper. Napkins are small and are often used to decorate small items. In the case of a wardrobe, they can be considered as elements for the design of drawers or mezzanines. Decoupage paper is available in large sizes, so it will be optimal for this type of work.

Before restoring the cabinet, select a plot for the product. These can be floral motifs, historical ornaments, images of people, heroes, or just vintage pictures. Decoupage consists of several stages:

the surface prepared for repair is ground and primed in several layers. After that, light acrylic paint is applied to give the background;
at this stage, paper materials are applied to the surface of the cabinet, mentally inventing the plot and location of each detail;
transferring the image to the surface is considered one of the most difficult tasks. You can use the "file method" for this. Prepare a regular office file, remove the top 2 layers from the napkin and place it face down on the file. Next, take a spray bottle with water and gradually moisten the entire napkin. As soon as it gets wet, gently try to expel all the bubbles out with your fingers. If this is not done, wrinkles will be visible on the product. As soon as the napkin has become even and smooth, we apply it along with the file to the surface of the cabinet. Carefully delete the file and proceed to the next step;
using a thin synthetic brush and special glue, we process the surface of a napkin or paper in 1 layer;
as soon as the napkin sticks and dries, it is necessary to treat the plane with acrylic varnish. The photo shows decoupage options for old cabinets.

Refurbished furniture gives the room a fresh look - it looks original, non-standard. Such products will delight all guests, positioning the owner as a beginner decorator.

Elements that do not require restoration are covered with masking tape

Painting of furniture elements

Glue the napkin

Applying colorless varnish