15 Upcycled Furniture Ideas – Repurposed Furniture Before and After – GoodHousekeeping.com

Mike Garten

Look no further than the neighborhood garage sale or your favorite budget furniture store (hello, IKEA!) to find the basis for a seriously upscale-looking piece. With a little paint, sandpaper, and some rolled-up sleeves, these DIY home decor projects turn humble “befores” to enviable “afters.”

BEFORE: Boring Bookcase

We snagged this 1960s Bennington bookcase on Craigslist via Forgotten Furniture for just $50.

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AFTER: Haute Hutch

A quick wallpaper-and-paint makeover can fit any decor style. For a fun and feminine look, we picked pink accessories, gray pain, and Hygge & West Nethercote wallpaper (left). Traditional blue paint and striped paper lends itself to nautical vibes (right).

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BEFORE: Busted Armchair

Transform a flea-market find with leftover black paint and fun new upholstery.

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AFTER: Statement Seating

Save cash by painting the wood frame yourself, then taking it for a pro upholstery job. We picked Black Dalmatian Dots by Bliss Design Studio on Spoonflower for this piece, a spot-on print whether you style it with graphic, colorful extras (left) or girly, glam accessories (right).

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BEFORE: Shabby Window

A little elbow grease takes this plain-Jane pane to the next level.

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BEFORE: Dusty Shutters

Pick up a matching set and remove any peeling paint to create a cute sideboard with a little personality.

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AFTER: Cute Cabinet

Lay out your shutters to determine the size of your cabinet. Measure the width and depth for the cabinet top, bottom, interior shelf, and backing. At the hardware store, have four pieces of medium-density fiberboard cut to fit. Then assemble and attach bun feet and knobs. Don’t forget to paint it your favorite color!

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BEFORE: Blah Bench

Talk about a score. We stumbled on this $15 tufted bench at a garage sale.

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BEFORE: Ladder and Scrap Wood

Pick up two ladders, a 4-foot wooden rod, and two wooden planks (one about 4 ½ feet, one 4¾ feet). Stay with us here …

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AFTER: Clothing Rack

Getting dressed will be a breeze when your go-to layers and favorite accessories stay on an easy-access rack. To make, paint the planks, rod, and ladder. Attach each plank to the bottom two sets of rungs using a drill and screws. Be sure to set the lowest shelf forward to make room for tall boots. At the top of the ladder, center two pipe brackets on each top rung and attach with screws. Slide top rod through.

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BEFORE: Wood Crate

Start with a plain wooden design, then paint the inside or leave it bare and simple.

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AFTER: Simple Storage

This inexpensive storage unit that can be tailored to fit any space, like a pyramid in the mudroom or a low horizontal design behind a sofa or beneath a TV. Even better, this project doesn’t require a single power tool to construct! Stack and restack the crates until you find the right configuration. Then fasten the sides of the adjoining crates with large binder clips (measure the crate thickness first to ensure a snug fit). Avoid stashing heavy things like appliances near the top so the crates won’t topple.

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BEFORE: Reclaimed Wood Quarter Pallet

Crates & Pallet
homedepot.com

$15.75

You can find square pallets for a bargain at your local home improvement store. 

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BEFORE: RAST 3-Drawer Chest

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AFTER: Campaign Dresser

Recreate the classic design by painting on two to three coats of a bold, high-gloss hue (we love vibrant orange!), then attaching gold or brass corner hardware and pulls.

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BEFORE: RAST 3-Drawer Chest

Or pick up two of these budget-friendly dressers and a sleek workstation is in your future. 

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BEFORE: CountyLine Oval Galvanized Stock Tank

Flip a large galvanized tub — this one is 2 feet wide, 4 feet long, and 2 feet high — over and you’re halfway to a cozy nook. 

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AFTER: Dog Bed

Your family mascot gets his own “room” with this DIY. First drill holes to outline an entrance, and then use a Dremel to cut an opening. Sand down edges and add rope trim. Fit the top with a slab of reclaimed wood.

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BEFORE: Flip-Top Dresser

If stained wood isn’t your style, get ready for a splash of color.

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BEFORE: Window Frame

Next time you spy ho-hum panes at a tag sale, get ready for a fun Saturday project.

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AFTER: Entryway Organizer

Sand away blemishes, then use painter’s tape to give the frame a fresh coat of color. Paint one square with chalkboard paint and cover another with adhesive-backed cork roll. Then add a shelf, hooks, and a few decorative details to create a tidy drop zone by the side door.

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BEFORE: HEMNES 3-Drawer Chest

A flea market dresser works well (just add a coat of semigloss paint), or buy a basic style, like this one from IKEA. 

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BEFORE: 5-Section Coat Locker

AmazonBasics
amazon.com

$299.99

If you find yourself without a coat closet or adequate shoe storage, it’s worth taking a trip back to school.  

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AFTER: Chic Mudroom Storage

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