Instant Furniture Makeovers

July 21, 2009
Laurey W. Glenn
Budget-friendly ways to transform old furniture into dazzling updated focal points.
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Wing Chair Before

Photo Robbie Caponetto

We challenge you to find a Southern girl who would turn down her grandmother's hand-me-downs. Inherited items are the lifeblood of Southern homes. Use our ideas to turn "before" items like this into "after" pieces everyone will adore!

Before: This wing chair is covered in dated fabric, but has a uniquely striking shape.

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Wing Chair After

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan
  • This chair goes from floral to sophisticated with a smart upholstery update. Exposing the wooden legs and adding a nailhead trim make this chair conservative yet hip. The perfect combo for a new couple's first home.
  • Wing Chair Fabric: Ottoman Leaf in Chocolate by Robert Allen; 1-800-333-3777

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Arm Chair Before

Photo Robbie Caponetto

The small print on this arm chair keeps it in the past. The frame is attractive and the exposed wood shows a lot of potential.

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Armchair After

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

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Sewing Table Before

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

Two of these $5 flea market sewing tables are just the right size for sofa side tables.

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Sewing Table After

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

We changed the look of this table by taking it to a wallpaper hanger who gave it a custom look by covering it with grass cloth. Using wallpaper to cover wooden furniture is a polished alternative to simply updating with paint.

Wallpaper on Table: Naturals II Linshan Rushcloth (548501) in Olive Haze by Gramercy, available through Blue Mountain Wallcoverings

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Chest Before

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

This blah sideboard is a nice functional piece, but was in desperate need of a trendy update.

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Chest After

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll and Fran Keenan

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Barrel Chair Before

Photo Laurey W. Glenn

Another one of grandmother's hand-me-downs, this barrel chair has been put to good use over the years. Because it is sturdy and has retained it's shape it's a perfect piece to try a little recovering magic.

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Barrel Chair After

Photo Laurey W. Glenn

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Console Before

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll

Hard working pieces like this are a must for entertaining. This console just needs a few changes to take it from bland to glam.

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Console After

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll

The console transforms into a swanky bar, thanks to a new coat of paint and a custom-cut limestone top. Any local kitchen or bath showroom can get a stone top cut to size. Scan the remnants section for odd-size leftovers that are bargains.

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Amoire Before

Photo Robbie Caponetto

This wood storage cabinet has stylish doors and is the perfect size for storing things in a small bedroom. The finish is a little dark so the piece could use a little updating.

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Amoire After

Photo Robbie Caponetto

We brightened this piece up by painting it turquoise. At 12 inches deep, it’s small enough to fit the room but still big enough to hold five shoe storage cubes and lots of boots and handbags.

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Dresser Before

Photo Robbie Caponetto

Don't give up on an old piece! This old dresser seems to have lost it's luster. The finish is dingy and the style seems outdated.

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Dresser After

Photo Robbie Caponetto

The old dresser got a fresh coat of white paint to help it blend in. An old map of Europe, found at a thrift store was the missing link. The weathered look adds a sense of history to the room.

Dresser Paint: Summer White (7557) from Sherwin-Williams; 1-800-474-3794

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Slipper Chair Before

All this old (and may we say, drab?) chair needs is new fabric. Total gutting is not required.

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Slipper Chair After

For this chair we kissed the why-was-it-ever- popular avocado green velvet good-bye and refreshed it with a prettier sage fabric. A darker stain on the legs and sides lends an elegant touch.

Chair Fabric: Hourglass by Robert Allen

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Club Chair Before

The heavy skirt and loose cushions on this chair make it obvious that it's from the 1980s.

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Club Chair After

Ask your upholsterer to expose chair legs (stain or paint them first) by eliminating the skirt, and then opt for a tight-back cushion. We added a small lumbar pillow here for extra back support.

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Wood-Framed Sofa Before

This cringe-worthy wood-framed sofa was found by a dumpster.

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Wood-Framed Sofa After

Laurey W. Glenn

Now, a personality-filled piece, freshened up with a bold pattern and white paint.

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Classic Armchair Before

A classic shape fallen victim to a dated floral.

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Classic Armchair After

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Updated with a subtle ticking stripe with a vibrant, one-of-a-kind ikat center.

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Vintage Chairs Before

Pretty but expected Swedish dining chairs.

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Vintage Chairs After

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Stylish seats updated with tailored gray leather and nail-head trim.

Designer: Tara Shaw, Tara Shaw, New Orleans; tarashaw.com.
Chair leather: For a similar look, try Milano in Platinum (9250/15) by Holly Hunt Leather (hollyhunt.com); 212/755-6555.

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Settee Before

A tired, sagging settee with an interesting shape and mid-century legs.

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Settee After

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

An attention-getting perch with a shape that's exaggerated with unexpected horizontal stripes.

Designer: Cynthia Collins, Collins Interiors, Dallas; collins-interiors.com.
Fabric (stripe): Pacifica in Fuchsia by Steven Harsey Textiles (harsey.com); 954/925-1133.

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Chest Before

A plain Asian chest with an imposing black finish and lack of hardware.

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Chest After

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

An impressive sidekick with modern white lacquer and striking brass hardware.

Designer: Cynthia Collins, Collins Interiors, Dallas; collins-interiors.com.
Cabinet paint: Linen White (912); benjaminmoore.com.

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Bar Cart Before

Photo: Courtesy Parker Kennedy

The elegant curved lines of this bar cart were clouded in dismal shade of brown.

See More Painted Furniture Ideas

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Glam Bar Cart

Photo: Erica George Dines

The makeover: Painting the wheel covers gold and the frame a coral orange (Flame; benjaminmoore.com), along with new mirrors cut to fit atop the shelves, elevates this rattan cart from a computer trolley to a host's best friend.

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