Do-it-yourself cabinet restoration rules at home

Any piece of furniture wears out over time and loses its attractive appearance. However, it is not necessary to throw it away. A shabby dresser or wardrobe with an outdated design can be restored. Do-it-yourself cabinet restoration is carried out in different ways. This allows everyone to choose the appropriate option and get an excellent result.

Basic methods for restoring an old cabinet

There are several ways to restore an old cabinet, allowing you to choose the best option.

Paint

It is a simple and reliable solution. At the same time, it will be possible to achieve many results that differ in colors and methods of applying paint. The product must be completely repainted in a different color or change some fragments - for example, drawers or doors. An interesting solution would be to use the ombre technique. At the same time, they make the transition from saturated to pale tones.

When restoring an old chest of drawers, do not cover its surface. It is recommended to cover this unique product with a layer of diluted stain, which will help to preserve the luxury of antiquity.Acrylic is considered the ideal paint option for such work. It mixes easily. The substance can be easily washed off in case of errors. In addition, it does not leave a pronounced aroma. Acrylic primer is in harmony with such a dye.

It should be borne in mind that the substance does not sufficiently mask surface defects. Therefore, she needs preparation. It is recommended to use sandpaper for this.

Cracked varnish

For surface restoration, it is allowed to use a special method of varnishing, which involves the use of cracks. To remodel an old cabinet, it is permissible to use different types of such a substance. Options with a patina or gilding effect look good.

The usual substance is applied in a thick layer on the paint. After that, they are covered with a different shade to accentuate the cracks. In addition, crackle varnish can consist of 2 components. The first is applied to age the surface, the second is used to obtain decorative cracks. The use of this type of varnish is suitable for people who love antiquity. It should also be used by country style fans.

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Cutting

With the help of decoupage, it will be possible to decorate the wardrobe with a pattern that will firmly merge with the surface. Although this technique is considered simple, the finished product will look luxurious. For the procedure, you should use ordinary napkins with your favorite pattern. Today there are interesting options with images of flowers, animals, landscapes. In this case, the drawings are light or blurry - it all depends on the style of the chest of drawers.

It should be remembered that when applying thin paper, there should be no bubbles or creases in the coating.It is recommended to straighten them immediately. If unsuccessful, the procedure is repeated. After the napkin dries, it must be varnished, since the surface is very sensitive to external factors. The main material can also be newspapers or letters. Tram tickets will be an interesting and extraordinary solution.

Fittings

The use of fittings is considered one of the easiest and most affordable methods of changing the appearance of furniture. An interesting solution would be to install decorative overlays in different styles. Popular options for restoration include flowers, curls and columns. They will help decorate the wardrobe and give it a stylistic direction. As a result, it will be possible to get a product in the Baroque, Gothic or Rococo style.

It is also allowed to stylize the product for a specific subject. If you want to have a nautical-style wardrobe, it should be complemented with anchors, sailboats or knots.

Handles will help make the product interesting. They must be replaced if necessary. Thanks to this, it will be possible to strengthen and complement the design. Today there is a huge selection of accessories. It often has interesting glass or porcelain details. The choice of accessories is based on the style of the product.

Selection of materials and tools

To restore the cabinet, it is worth preparing everything you need in advance:

1. Sandpaper. It is also allowed to use a grinder. This will help give the surface an even, smooth texture.
2. Screwdriver and screwdriver. They must be adapted to the diameter of the bolts. This will help you adjust the product and remove hardware before cleaning.
3. Putty knife. The device is used to cover chips and holes.
4. Paint roller.A narrow brush is also often necessary. These tools are used to update the surface.
5. Carpentry glue or PVA.
6. A set of self-tapping screws.

Additional accessories and materials depend on the chosen technique. To decorate the cabinet with the help of decoupage, napkins with a pattern are used. You will also need acrylic varnish. In addition, it is worth preparing a thin synthetic brush.

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For the restoration of the old cabinet, a primer, dyes, masking tape are used. Wood putty is also often used. To use crackle, you need a varnish of the same name.

The stages of the restoration

The stages of restoration work depend on the characteristics of the materials used.

With paint

To improve the look of your old cabinet, it needs to be repainted. In this case, the furniture will not only become cooler, but also acquire an unusual appearance. This type of restoration is considered the most popular. It helps bring many ideas to life.

To perform the procedure, you must do the following:

1. Prepare the surface. The wooden cabinet lid requires careful leveling and sanding. The same is true for chipboard structures. For this, the product must be covered with a thin layer of putty and primed. Thanks to this, it will be possible to hide coating defects. After the procedure, the furniture should be carefully sanded.
2. Paint the surface. In this case, you need to choose a brush and a shade. To apply the dye, a special tool is often used - a spray bottle. It provides even dye distribution and helps make the job look neat. The paint should be applied in several layers.This will help give the furniture a rich color and achieve a stable result.
3. Open the surface with varnish. When the paint layer dries, it must be varnished. It can be shiny or glossy.

If you want to decorate a semi-antique cabinet, it is recommended to use a color stain for wood. To do this, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the product, cover it with putty and color solution.

Opening

If the old furniture was made of fine wood, it should be varnished rather than repainted. When carrying out the restoration yourself, it is recommended to use oil varnishes. They should be used for all types of wood. The result is a durable, glossy coating that resists moisture.

The only drawback of such a product is the long drying time. It takes at least 12 hours. In this case, nitro varnishes dry in half an hour.

To restore antique furniture, you need to follow these steps:

1. Apply the varnish using a brush or a thick cloth, bending it several times.
2. It should be done in several layers. It is recommended to increase the drying time after each new coat.
3. It is recommended to squeeze the excess varnish on the edge of the box. Sometimes the brush needs to be rinsed in an alcohol solution.

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Replacement of fittings

Old furniture often has trouble closing doors. To restore a Soviet cabinet, it is worth buying new accessories and finding materials to restore loose holes. You will also need a screwdriver and a screwdriver.

In this case, it is recommended to assess the condition of the rest of the fittings. Sometimes it will be enough to change the old-fashioned handles to radically transform the piece of furniture.

Features of working with chipboard

To renovate chipboard furniture, it is recommended to use sandpaper, stain and varnish. An easy and affordable method of restoration will be the use of an adhesive film. It can be easily smoothed. Thanks to the material of the stained glass, it will be possible to quickly renew an old piece of furniture.

Another method of decorating old furniture will be the use of textile appliqués. As a result, it will be possible to literally transform the product.

How to decorate at home

To carry out the restoration of the product with your own hands, you need to choose the technique that you like and follow the rules of the procedure.

Cutting

To use this method, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Sand the surface of the furniture and cover with several coats of primer.
2. Attach the towels to the closet and think about where to place them.
3. Dampen a towel with water and apply to the surface. Carefully smooth out the creases.
4. Process the paper with a thin brush and special glue.
5. After the layer dries, open the surface with varnish.

Decorative plaster

To use this technique, the following rules are respected:

1. The composition should be applied to the restored product.
2. To imitate the desired texture, the furniture is painted in a shade close to the color of the plaster.
3. Contrasting coloring will help achieve the crackle effect.
4. Apply decorative plaster with a brush or spatula.

fabric decor

To decorate the wardrobe with fabric, it is recommended to use different textures. Smooth silk will perfectly fit into an exquisite interior, and rough linen will complement the style of Provence. A classic product can be obtained using lace. Ordinary PVA glue will help to apply the textile elements to the furniture.

Working examples

To restore a wardrobe, you should use these ideas:

• use stickers and stencils;
• paste over the product with wallpaper;
• apply mosaic glass;
• create a gilding effect.

Restoring a cabinet is a complex and exciting process. To achieve a good result, it is recommended to choose the right method and follow the rules for carrying out the procedure.