For rework or for firewood? Second life of old furniture

Advantages and disadvantages of restoring an old Soviet cabinet

New furniture always looks stylish, fashionable and luxurious, but sometimes you don’t want to part with an already familiar product. The question arises, how to restore an old cabinet at home. To do this you will have to set aside time, be patient and have all the necessary materials. Old furniture is always more reliable than modern furniture.

The restored surface can be painted or decorated at your discretion.

Among other advantages of furniture restoration solutions, the following should be highlighted:

• Style. Many people prefer to replace old furniture with new ones, since they do not fit into the modern style. This is far from true. Using various available tools and materials, you can turn an old cabinet into a stylish product that will perfectly complement the overall styling and idea. The Soviet wardrobe is in no way inferior to the new product. If it is made of high-quality solid wood, it will last for many more decades.
• Fashion. In recent years, antiques have become popular. Many collectors are willing to pay a lot of money to become the owner of such items. In a matter of hours, you can significantly transform old objects with your own hands and give them new life. To do this, it is enough to show a little creativity - old things will acquire new colors and become a real work of art.
• Exclusive. All models sold in stores are mass-produced, so they are similar to each other. Of course, you can make furniture to order, but this will cost much more than restoring the finished product. The product can not only be restored, but also given an unusual appearance. After special stylization, you can achieve an unexpected result. You can make the closet the way you like. This will be an exclusive model, one of a kind.
• Cheapness. Buying a new cabinet can cost a pretty penny. Updating an old product will cost much less. You will be able to save a lot of money during renovation by spending it on more useful purposes.

A cabinet that has gone out of fashion, but is still quite strong and will last for many years, can simply be repainted.

Note! Restoration is also an interesting way to spend free time. If you learn how to make exclusive products, you can earn extra money from it.

How to restore?

Any antique cabinet requires a little restoration, which will significantly improve its appearance.

You can restore the wardrobe yourself if you use the advice of experts:

• A metal brush is used to treat decayed wood, after which the dead tissue is removed.
• The fine dust formed in this case is washed off under running water.
• Sometimes there are holes from nails, some unevenness and cracks in the wooden elements of the cabinet. All this must be cleaned with a spatula. It is necessary to apply several thin layers of putty to match the wood. Each layer must dry before applying the next.
• Then dry all layers in fresh air for 1-2 days. Do not dry wood in the sun.
• Sometimes there are metal parts in furniture that have become covered with rust over time; such places should be treated with a special solution.
• The restored surface can then be painted or decorated at your discretion.
• A self-adhesive film that imitates wood, stone, or metal is perfect.

Necessary materials and tools for work

The choice of tools and materials to complete the task directly depends on what method will be used for restoration. If this is your first time, it is recommended to opt for simpler options. For example, you can paint a cabinet or use the simplest decoupage technique.

Perhaps the most amazing effect is provided by the decoupage technique.

These methods are easy to perform even for children. You can even turn this challenge into a family competition or hobby. To begin the recovery procedure, you should think of some interesting idea in advance. The best solution is to decorate the furniture in the same style as the room. Then there will be no problems with choosing shades or decorative elements.

For a long-lasting result, you must first prepare the furniture walls.

To begin restoring a cabinet, you need to take care of preliminary surface preparation. It is important to remove all visible damage and scratches. It is necessary to check the integrity of the fittings, all fastening elements, and replace them if necessary.

You should carefully examine the internal surfaces, check the shelves for chips and damage. Such defects are eliminated in advance. New mechanisms can be purchased in specialized stores. Using nails and a hammer, these problems can be easily fixed.

In this simple way, a new design of cabinets, chests of drawers and any other old furniture is created.

The following materials and tools will also be required for repairs:

• Screwdrivers or screwdriver. This is necessary to replace fittings and fasteners.
• Sandpaper or sanding machine. These tools will allow you to eliminate uneven surfaces and remove all visible dents and damage.
• Putty knife. Used for applying plaster to level the surface.
• Self-tapping screws for replacing fittings.
• Glue.
• Roller for resurfacing.

Depending on the chosen restoration technique, additional materials and tools may also be required. For example, the decoupage technique will require napkins, a special synthetic brush and acrylic varnish. For the restoration procedure, masking tape, brushes, and a primer for surface treatment will not be superfluous.

In some cases, a special varnish coating is used to enhance the protective properties of the surface.

Note! To restore a product, you need to decide on the idea.

How to paint?

A cabinet that has gone out of fashion, but is still quite strong and will last for many years, can simply be repainted. In this simple way, a new design of cabinets, chests of drawers and any other old furniture is created. In this case, we are talking not only about giving freshness to dull surfaces, but also about completely replacing the color scheme, which will add originality to the product. Painting is the most common option for updating an old item. Despite its simplicity, it is necessary to approach this process correctly. For a long-lasting result, you must first prepare the furniture walls.

Below is a step-by-step master class.

It will help you to carry out high-quality and competent painting at home:

• it is important to first clean the surfaces of paint residues: one layer will easily remove the sanding disc; special brushes can handle several layers as an attachment;
• all walls, doors and other parts must be sanded manually or using a tool;
• leveling occurs by applying a primer or putty to hide defects that have arisen during many years of use;
• you need to wait until the leveling layer has completely dried, and after that you can start painting;

• To apply a layer of paint on all sides, take a brush, roller or sponge; however, it is faster to use a spray gun or spray gun. With this method, the paint is applied under pressure, so the doors, shelves and walls inside the cabinet are well painted;
• As a rule, several layers of paint are applied. This ensures rich color and good surface preservation. It is better to paint the cabinet with acrylic, alkyd enamel or other high-quality paint;
• the paint must be allowed to dry completely, after which a layer of varnish can be applied. It makes the cabinet look glossy and shiny. If you prefer a matte surface, you can skip varnishing. However, the use of this coating has a protective function, prevents abrasion and gives the tone greater depth. You can use not only glossy, but also matte and silky finishes.

How to restore an old cabinet with your own hands

There are many different methods for restoring old furniture at home. Below are the most common and easy to implement methods.

Do coloring

One of the simplest methods. With it, you can update an old color or make a completely new one if desired. In order for the material to accept paint well, it is necessary to use special coloring compounds.

Despite its simplicity, it is necessary to approach this process correctly.

You can restore it as follows:

1. Before starting the main work, it is necessary to level the surface using a primer.
2. Next, the surface is polished.
3. The paint is applied in several layers to maintain a bright shade.
4. After drying, a special protective layer is applied to avoid rapid fading of the paint.

The paint must be allowed to dry completely, after which a layer of varnish can be applied.

Note! To work, use special brushes to evenly apply the coloring composition.

Craquelure

Method for artificial aging of a surface. To achieve the desired effect, you need to use a special varnish, which cracks after drying. Antiquity is preserved for a long time.

Furniture made from natural wood can be “aged”.

The process looks like this:

1. Remove old coating and prepare surface.
2. Apply special varnish.
3. After this, apply a coating to form cracks.
4. When the surface is dry, apply a finishing coat to secure the result.

After it dries, small cracks form, which are highlighted using dry pigment or oil paint of the desired shade.

Note! There is no need to apply varnish to the entire surface. It is enough to create an aging effect around the edges.

Decoupage

An interesting and simple method of creating a pattern on the surface of a cabinet. To do this, you can use napkins with any pattern. To register, just follow these steps:

1. Cut out a picture from a napkin. You can use the entire product.
2. Divide into several layers.
3. Glue the image to the surface of the cabinet.
4. Apply varnish when the glue dries a little.

The cabinet is decorated with napkins that have a suitable pattern on their surface; they can always be found in any hardware store.
You can make the drawing more voluminous. This decor will be an unusual and simple solution for independent implementation.

The cabinet, which was originally dark, must first be painted before decorating.

Tapestry

You can use fabric to add new colors to your closet decor. This technique has the following advantage - it allows you to create a unique image without preliminary surface treatment. This decoration looks especially effective in the bedroom.

Rectangular shapes can be softened with this finish, and the material can be replaced easily and quickly at any time.

The job is simple. It is enough to apply the required amount of fabric and secure it to the surface using liquid nails or glue. Best suited for restoration of natural wood products.

Stained glass film

The simplest and most economical way to decorate. Sold in rolls. Sticking such a decoration will not be difficult. The service life of such coating varies depending on the quality. You can change the film at any time.

In addition to its decorative function, the film protects the glass from impact and scratches.

Plaster

Decorative plaster is a good way to give new life to an old cabinet. For this you will need stencils and plaster. Using the first component, convexities are created, after which the surface is leveled. To complete the work you will need sandpaper, masking tape, plaster, stencils, and varnish.

This treatment will completely transform the appearance of the product.

First, the surface is processed. The layer of old paint is removed and the coating is leveled. Plaster is applied using stencils. Allow time to dry. After this, varnish is applied to protect against damage and moisture.

Decorating an old cabinet

If you are not planning to buy a new cabinet, but the old one has begun to look indecently shabby over time, then you can refresh its appearance. There are several ways.

Painting or pasting

This is the most obvious option. The old layer of paint is removed and the surface is repainted (it is not necessary to use the same color). If there are any scuffs on the cabinet, you can cover them with special decorative stickers (they come in different shapes: butterflies, flowers, stars, raindrops and even more complex images).

REFERENCE! If you need to refresh the appearance of the cabinet as a whole, you can cover the entire surface with wallpaper. If this seems boring, then you can make a collage of memorable photos or motivational quotes on a plain background.

Fabric use

If pasting with wallpaper and other paper is not suitable for some reason, then you can cover the surface with fabric. This can be done closely, or you can add some filler to make the furniture soft to the touch.

Patterns

There are special stencils of different shapes and sizes on sale, with which you can paint the surface so that the piece of furniture will look like the original work of a talented designer, and not an ordinary old cabinet.

Slate surface

It is created using special slate paint or film. This looks especially good in a room decorated in a loft style. But in any other case, it will be at least functional: write down your plans for the day every day, leave yourself important reminders, draw and much more.

Aging

Provence style implies artificially aged furniture . An old cabinet fits this requirement perfectly. All that remains is to make sure that its wear and tear over time looks neat and cute, and not just separate tattered spots.

Decoupage

This is the creation of a pattern on a surface using paper or other elements rather than paint. Napkins with a pattern, old newspapers and magazines, clippings from postcards and other paper products - anything that suits the style - will do.

REFERENCE! With the proper approach and careful execution, the result of the work will be an outwardly completely new piece of furniture, which can be mistaken for a project implemented by a talented designer.

Thus, any old cabinet can live many more years in its original condition or a lifetime as a new piece of furniture. This will help you save on buying new things and add originality to the interior.

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Master classes on cabinet restoration

Everyone can update the appearance of their closet. To do this, just use the recommendations listed above. The work will not take much time and will be exciting and enjoyable entertainment for the whole family. This is a great savings on purchasing factory cabinet models.

To restore an old cabinet, it is not at all necessary to contact specialists. You can update your furniture yourself at home.

50 cabinet design options after restoration