How to decoupage an old cabinet, an overview of popular techniques

Currently, in stores you can find an endless number of various cabinets, chests of drawers, racks, hanging shelves, multifunctional drawers for clothes and personal items. But if you decide not to plunge into a long search, but to follow the thread of your imagination, then with the help of the following master classes you will learn how to update an old cabinet with your own hands beyond recognition.

After reading the article, you should not have any questions about how to paint a varnished, chipboard or wooden cabinet , what paint to paint and make it suit your own style, and you will also learn some of the intricacies of this work.

Painting a wooden cabinet made of chipboard

Paint selection

• For processing wood and chipboard, you can use alkyd or acrylic ,
• spray or regular wood paint,
• for deeper coloring - varnishes, but most often preference is given to acrylic paints .

They are non-toxic, dry at room temperature, which in our case and when painting home furniture is very convenient, they are presented in a wide range in stores, they can be colored , i.e. dilute with white paint to achieve the desired color. In addition, there is a choice of acrylic paints with a mother-of-pearl effect or, for example, metallic.

• Varnishes are used mainly to give furniture an antique , but well-groomed, noble and rich look. In this case, the surface is painted several times after each layer has completely dried.
• Varnishes are also necessary to fix the color and protect the surface from scratches and minor damage.
• You will need varnish even if you decide to paint the chest of drawers in an antique or Provence style.

Selecting Brushes and Rollers

After choosing paint, special attention should be paid to brushes and rollers. Why shouldn't you save on painting supplies if you decide to update your chest of drawers yourself?

• With the correct technology for processing the old surface and good painting, the cabinet will retain its appearance for several years .
• If you use bad brushes, you will not protect freshly painted furniture from sticking hairs or lint, which is almost impossible to fix unnoticed.

If you have a task to paint a large smooth surface, then a roller and aerosols will .

1. a roller to take the right amount of paint and remove smudges, but if aerosols are used correctly, the surface will ultimately be smoother.
2. To paint medium and small cabinet parts, protrusions, bas-reliefs, 2 brushes will be enough - wide and narrow.

ATTENTION: During work, do not leave the brushes dry, it is better to put them in a jar of water, otherwise they will quickly become unusable

Technologies and painting methods

Don't forget about other important painting tools and materials, such as sandpaper or sander, primer, putty, solvent and varnish. All this is necessary to comply with the correct dyeing technology.

Equipment:

1. Sandpaper of different grits is needed to pre-grind the old paint layer and sand the surface.
2. A primer will be needed to seal small cracks on the surface of wood or chipboard.
3. Putty (you can use car putty) and a putty knife will come in handy if there are deep scratches or chips.
4. Solvent or white spirit is needed to degrease the surface before painting for better impregnation.
5. The varnish performs a protective function and gives the furniture shine.

In general, preparing a cabinet for painting consists of 5 short but very important steps .

1. First, carefully remove the old paint and use medium-grain sanding paper (or a machine) to level the working surface.
2. All dust must be wiped off, but without using wet rags, sponges , etc. Otherwise, the old paint will only be absorbed better, and the new paint will not adhere well.
3. After processing with the finest grains, degrease with white spirit (acetone) and apply a primer layer for better adhesion to the paint.
4. If there are large chips, then first fill them with putty and rub them until smooth. Afterwards we apply one or two layers of primer.

When you know all the stages of preparation, it’s time to move on to the main stage and figure out how to paint a wooden chest of drawers and chipboard.

Decorate with mosaic

Mosaics from broken tiles are very easy to make with your own hands. The article “Creativity from leftover tiles” has a complete guide to action. Such a wardrobe or chest of drawers will look especially elegant in Mediterranean styles. You can also purchase ready-made mosaics in blocks.

Master class No. 1. Stencil painting

Everything is mixed in this closet - romanticism, Chinese motifs, and even something from Gzhel. Everyone sees something different in him. Let's learn painting techniques.

Materials and tools

• Prepared cabinet;
• white paint;
• solvent;
• blue spray paint;
• gold paint;
• stencil;
• brushes

Step by step guide

Step 1.

• We remove all fittings, locks, handles, etc. from the cabinet. Using familiar technology, we will prepare a wooden cabinet for painting.
• We spread newspapers or a large piece of polyethylene on the work surface (on the floor) so as not to damage other furniture.

Step 2.

1. We take white enamel and solvent. In a small plastic jar, dilute paint and solvent according to the instructions on the paint can.
2. The paint consumption is also written on the can; it is better to use this information and immediately dilute the required amount. If you mix too little paint, you may end up with a different color the second time.
3. We make the background of the picture - apply the first layer of paint . Leave until completely dry.

Step 3.

1. If the color turns out saturated and you like it, then take a stencil and apply it to the cabinet . Carefully glue on the front side and side walls so that there are no bubbles.
2. Shake the spray paint well and spray it over the stencil . For an even color, one layer of blue paint will be enough, so we do everything the first time.

Step 4.

While the blue paint dries, paint the hardware removed from the cabinet in gold leaf. After the parts have dried, screw them into place.

We remove the stencil from the cabinet and place it in the most visible place in the room - after all, it now deserves special attention!

You can decorate the closet with a stencil, for example, with flowers.

Master class No. 2. Updating a chipboard cabinet

This cabinet looked very cheap since it was made from chipboard. But we updated it with a beautiful ornament for a children’s room, now it can fit into even a high-tech or modern interior.

Materials and tools

• Prepared cabinet;
• white paint;
• pencil;
• knife;
• building level;
• sponge brush;
• masking tape;
• additionally: protective paint (enamel).

Decoration process

Step 1.

1. We will prepare the furniture by cleaning the surface from roughness, chips, and cracks using putty and primer.
2. After using special products, you need to let the surface dry completely .
3. We take masking tape and stick it on the front side of the chest of drawers according to your individual idea.
4. We make combinations of triangles along the top and bottom edges, rhombuses in the middle, rectangles at the top and bottom. We cut off the strips and make shapes from them, as shown in the photo.

• We make a rhombus by cutting strips of equal length and placing them perpendicular to each other.
• To make rectangles, first apply the tape evenly, parallel to the cut of the chest of drawers, and use a building level and a pencil to mark equal intervals. Cut through one.

TIP: Watch the placement relative to the fittings (handles, locks) and the gaps between the drawers - it’s better to be symmetrical than even.

Step 2.

1. I follow the instructions on the paint can, take a sponge brush and rub in a thin layer to create an antique effect. Let the layer dry.
2. After the first layer has dried, apply the second . Then the color will be quite saturated and contrasting compared to the background.
3. When you have achieved the desired color and the paint has completely dried, carefully at an angle of 45 degrees remove the masking tape (tape).

Step 5.

The final stage is the application of protective enamel. It will extend the life of the chipboard cabinet and protect it from minor mechanical impacts such as moisture and dust.

And now the stylish wardrobe is ready for active use!

Color options can also be the same as in the photo below.

Decoupage

You can decorate your closet with a pattern so that it blends firmly with its surface using good old decoupage. Everyone probably came across this method during labor or handicraft classes at school. 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 a design you like, fortunately 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 must be smoothed out immediately or started again. After the napkin has dried, do not forget to coat it with varnish, as it is quite sensitive to external influences.

You can also use newspapers, letters, tram tickets as the main material - in general, anything that will look good on your furniture.

Master class No. 3. Painting a polished cabinet

Some people can’t believe that you can make such a piece of vintage-style candy out of an old polished cabinet, without losing functionality. And then we'll tell you how to do it.

Materials and tools.

• Old polished cabinet;
• vintage paint (regular acrylic matte);
• white spirit or acetone;
• brushes;
• sandpaper or sanding machine;
• gold handles for drawers.

Painting process

Step 1.

Despite the fact that we are creating a vintage effect, there is no real need for the dresser to look shabby. Therefore, we carefully prepare it for painting.

1. To do this, we remove all the old fittings and sand the entire surface of the chest of drawers. First we use coarse sandpaper, then fine-grained sandpaper.
2. It is not necessary to putty and prime, except for serious chips on the surface. Degrease the surface with white spirit or acetone and let it dry.

TIP: Since the paint will be applied in several layers, it is very important that it is well absorbed into the wood.

Step 2.

1. Cover with the first layer of paint. Very thin, you don’t have to try too hard and leave unpainted areas.
2. Sand the first layer with fine-grained sandpaper. We clean off dust, but do not use wet rags, sponges, etc. in the process. Wash only with a dry cotton lint-free cloth.
3. Next, apply a second layer of paint, also rubbing it in. Let it dry and rub it in a little again.
4. We repeat this until the color becomes even, but a little rough. For this we used matte paint with a vintage effect. After a few days, it will be completely absorbed and dry and begin to turn yellow (pay attention to the instructions on the can so that you don’t have to repaint everything again later). To avoid this, you can try this coloring method on a small and inconspicuous area. Proceed with full coloring when you are satisfied with the result.

If you bought new handles, check if they match your color and screw them into place. Golden brass carved handles with patterns match the white aged chest of drawers.

Check the chest of drawers to see if it meets your requirements - it is still comfortable, beautiful, and, paradoxically, modern. Vintage is in fashion now!

Additional details

A practical solution is to install mirrors on the façade. This will visually give the room more space, and also give you the opportunity to look at yourself in full growth. Mirrors also reflect light - they will make the room brighter.

You need to carefully measure the front of the cabinet and order mirrors along with fastenings in the workshop.

The mirror can also be attached to liquid nails. The only thing is that it is better to apply them to objects in a horizontal position: that is, the cabinet will need to be disassembled.

Tip: do not apply liquid nails very close to the edge of the mirror. Very often, under the pressure of the mirror sheet, they end up outside of it, which looks ugly. It is best to apply the mixture to the middle of the mirror.

If dismantling the cabinet seems too unattractive, then you can buy hanging mounts for the mirror.

Also now many people buy a slate surface and attach it to an old cabinet door. First, the door should be removed and the slate board attached with liquid nails. This cabinet will fit harmoniously in the kitchen or children's room.

Wardrobe with slate doors

You can decorate an old cabinet with new handles. If the wardrobe itself still looks good, but the handles are no longer so good, then you should buy new ones: this way the entire product will look better.

Wallpaper or film

When using film or any other paper covering to update your cabinet, you should remember that we use the cabinet every day. And usually such a coating does not last long, but it is very simple to implement.

We recommend using this method in conjunction with painting: look at the beautiful ideas for decorating a cabinet using film and painting.

Stick rivets

To create a brutal effect for a loft or steam punk, cabinet doors can be decorated with metal rivets or staples. Nails with decorative heads will also work. Let the chest of drawers look like an old chest, and the wardrobe look like a door to a submarine. You can use other metal fittings for decoration, and support the style by painting or covering it with fabric.

Spot painting for polished cafe

Spot painting is perfect for a polished cabinet. In this case, there is no need to remove the varnish and sand the surface. The technique is simple:

• Drawing using a marker
• The marker is painted with paint using dots. Learn more about the technique of dot painting of plates here.

Textile

To decorate an old cabinet, you can also use fabric, and even scraps are suitable - to create a unique craft look. It will not be possible to sheathe an object completely, especially if it does not have a flat surface. But covering up some details by making bright accents is an excellent solution.

Each type of fabric has its own texture: smooth silk for a sophisticated interior or rough linen for Provence. This property lies its advantage over other materials, not to mention the wide range of colors.

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

Closet Update Ideas