How to upscale your furniture and accessories

How often do you see perfectly good pieces of furniture out on a nature strip destined for the local waste facility?  It's heartbreaking to see an item destroyed and clogging up landfill that with some TLC could be updated or repurposed. Over the years I have painted items of furniture that have dated or been knocked about and the sense of satisfaction is huge.  These are pieces of furniture that I still have in my home and which I love.

It's also great to have a weekend project.  Rather than a major renovation or a complete room makeover which takes time, money and an investment in energy, upcycling an old piece of furniture is easy to achieve.  For some inspiration, browse through Pinterest and see how some very creative souls have taken a simple and inexpensive piece of IKEA furniture and made it quite unique by adapting it slightly, adding new handles and giving the piece a lick of paint.

You certainly don't have to invest heaps of money into your home, or necessarily be amazingly creative, to upscale your furniture and accessories.  It's just knowing where to start.

How to upscale your furniture and accessories with Dulux Design Effects

If you’re looking for an on-trend, cost effective and sustainable way to modernise tired furniture and accessories around the home, why not unleash your creative side using stunning textural specialty effects from
Dulux’s easy-to-use Design Effects paint range.

Paint used in the above image: Dulux Copper Patina Effect and Dulux Copper Effect

If you’re not sure where to begin or what textural effects to choose, one of the biggest home design trends we’ve seen is the return to earthy tones and raw-look finishes in interiors says Dulux Colour Expert, Andrea Lucena-Orr. “Natural and imperfect finishes, such as stone, concrete and an aged patina effect on rust and copper is ever popular, as we are increasingly aware of the positive effects of nature on our mental and physical health and seek new and innovative ways to bring the outside in,” says Andrea.

“As such, lush displays of indoor plants, which also lends itself to this trend really pops when offset against planters, side tables and coffee tables in aged copper and natural stone finishes, particularly Dulux Design in Copper and Stone Effects.  “If you like a distressed, rustic and imperfect look, but prefer gentle and livable pastels, try upcycling larger items of furniture such as a wardrobes, buffets or bedside tables in Dulux Design Chalk Effect.

Paints used in the above image are Dulux Design Chalk effect in Rustic Charm and Parisian White against a wall painted in Dulux Wash & Wear White Duck.

“For a touch of luxe, Dulux’s Metallic Effect comes in nine finishes, which allows you to reproduce the look of glimmering metal with minimal hassle and expense – perfect for side tables and bed frames through to
decorative accessories, such as vessels and planters.

“Not only for interior features, some of the effects in the Dulux Design range can be used outside the home to elevate alfresco areas, pool sides and gardens by way of upcycling outdoor accessories.” To help mimic natural elements, selected effects in the range such as Copper, Gold, Stainless Steel, Metallic, Pearl, Stone and Suede also offer a versatility in finish to suit your individual preference. While the final coat is still drying, choose your desired textural finish by applying a muslin cloth, a roller brush or a paint brush over the surface to create a smooth, rough or random overlapping pattern respectively.

So, whether you’re wanting to transform dull décor pieces into a one-of-a-kind statement, Dulux Design Effects can help you easily achieve the look you want without the expensive price tag. You can easily upscale your furniture and accessories by following the design tips below to give your home furniture and accessories a signature touch.

Dulux Copper & Copper Patina effects

1. Gather your painting supplies – Dulux Design Effect in Copper and Copper Patina, drop sheet and a high-quality synthetic brush.
2. Ensure the surface of the pot has been properly prepared prior to starting to paint and make sure to thoroughly stir the paint before beginning. Follow the label on the can for more information.
3. Start painting the pot by beginning at the edges and work your way into the middle using light, even pressure.
4. Working in small sections, apply a second coat. While the paint is still wet, drag the brush in a random pattern, overlapping on brushed areas to create an even effect. If using Copper Effect alone the surface will mark easily.
5. Protect the finish according to can instructions (interior only).
6. For an aged copper effect, apply Copper Patina Effect as soon as the second layer of Copper Effect is touch dry

Paint used in the above: Dulux Design Rust and Patina effect

Dulux Design Stone effect

1. Gather your painting supplies – Dulux Design Effect in Stone, drop sheet and a high-quality synthetic brush.
2. Ensure the surface of the stool has been properly prepared prior to starting to paint and make sure to thoroughly stir the paint before beginning. Follow the label on the can for more information.
3. Start painting the stool by working in small sections and ensure even pressure is used to apply coats.
4. The paint will lighten in colour as it dries, and you should allow four hours between the first and second coat.
5. When applying the second coat use a random stroke action, making sure to overlap brushed areas to  create the stone effect.

Paint used in the above: Dulux Design Stone Effect in European Stone and Castaway Stone.

Dulux Design Metallic effect

1. Gather your painting supplies – Dulux Design Effect in Metallic, drop sheet, a medium nap roller, roller tray and a high-quality synthetic brush, roller or muslin cloth depending on the look you’re after.
2. Ensure the surface of the bed frame has been properly prepared prior to starting to paint and make sure to thoroughly stir the paint before beginning. Follow the label on the can for more information.
3. Cut into the bed frame with the paint brush, before using the medium nap roller and applying the first coat using light, even pressure. Allow the first coat to dry for 6-8 hours and apply the second coat with the roller.
4. While the paint is still wet, take the brush, muslin or roller and drag in a random pattern, overlapping on brushed areas to achieve an even effect.

Paint used in above:  Dulux Design Metallic Effect in Dusty Gold and Dulux Wash & Wear in Biro Blue.

 

A before image of a nice but bland toy box in plain white.

A new and original look for a bland white toy box with Dulux Design Metallic Effects in Vintage Gold.

Dulux Design Chalk effect

1. Gather your painting supplies – Dulux Design Effect in Chalk, drop sheet, a medium nap roll, a high-quality synthetic brush and a fine medium grit sandpaper.
2. Ensure the surface of the sideboard has been properly prepared prior to starting to paint and make sure to thoroughly stir the paint before beginning. Follow the label on the can for more information.
3. Take the brush and brush around the edges of the sideboard, before taking the roller and finishing the first coat. Allow 2 hours before beginning the second coat, following the process above.
4. Allow another 2 hours before using the sandpaper to finely sand back the surface or to create a distressed look on the corners and raised features of this sideboard.

A before image of a perfectly nice but slightly pedestrian sideboard.

A completely new look created by Dulux Design Effects Chalk paint in colours, European Romance and Feathery.

Further information about how to upscale your furniture and accessories with Dulux Design Effects, together with video tutorials can be found at Dulux Australia

I hope this has inspired you to look carefully at your furniture and see if anything can be improved or head to your local second-hand furniture store to see if you can grab a bargain.  This has certainly inspired me.  My furniture has all been painted in either black or white but I know I have some garden pots that could do with an update and I love the look of the Dulux Design Rust and Patina effect so I shall be giving this a try.

If you have been inspired by this feature on how to upscale your furniture and accessories, I've also written about how to introduce a feature wall into your home with Dulux Design Effects.  You can read the story here.

I have a Free Resource Library too which has e-books and checklists to help you with your next home build or renovation.  I have an e-book on how to create a mood board which is a good idea to do if you are looking at introducing new colours and finishes into your room.  You can download everything for FREE here.