Secondhand Furniture Tour and a DIY Furniture Transformation
Introduction
If you’ve been reading our blog for some time, you’ll know we’re big fans of DIY furniture and love a good before and after – on a budget, of course! In this season of being indoors, maybe you’re feeling like some of your home decor or furnishings could use a refresh. We’ve pulled together some inspiration from our homes to share, and hope that you will be inspired to share your projects with us!
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DIY and Secondhand Furniture: House Tour
Window Picture Frame
This window was actually removed from our house like this: paint colour and all! I have yet to source some backing material and print some photos to go in it, but in the end this will be a large picture frame that greets everyone who comes in our front door.
Coat Hooks
Our mudroom was truly on a budget and as DIY as it could get as we were completing the project while I was on maternity leave and cashflows were a bit low at the time. For our storage, we re-used items that had been in our house when we purchased it. The coat hooks were remnants from various projects and found around the house, and the planks that they were mounted to were the old workbench from our basement that had been sanded and refinished.
Entryway Table
Our entry table, complete with two mini junk-drawers (does everyone have these catch-all drawers somewhere in their house?) was from an old farmhouse my family had rented about 20 years ago. It had been painted a terrible faux finish green, but I loved the shape and little drawers. I asked if I could take it when we moved out and the owners were happy to see it go – and all these years later I still have it and love it!
I painted it grey using Annie Sloan chalk paint and there is now a piece of glass on top as the table top is a bit wonky. It’s needed repairs over the years and definitely needs a chalk paint refresh, but I still love it!
Dining Table and Chairs
When my husband and I were first married, we paid way too much for a new table and chairs that didn’t hold up well and we didn’t like in the end, and so our love of thrifty second-hand furniture was born! Our current table was a freebie from Marketplace and had some damage, but I gave it a fill and a sand, and (of course) a coat of chalk paint so that the damage isn’t really noticeable. The chairs are from another set: my husband had sanded and refinished these and I recovered them. They’re due for another recovering, but they’ve held up well!
Pendant Lights
We live in an area that, in recent history, was a farming community and so when we were renovating our house and looking around the local second-hand stores, we found these lights that had been recovered from a barn. My husband was able to re-wire them and I think they’re fantastic!
DIY Furniture: Rolling Island Makeover
We had searched a few places for a kitchen island, but they all seemed to be $150 or more and not as well-made as we would have liked given the price. So instead we turned to our old stand-by: Craigslist! We found this heavy, rolling metal cart for $35.
Additional materials needed included a few cans of rust paint (about $8 each) and two grinder wheels for the angle grinder (about $10 each).
You can see in the picture of the top of the cart there is a shiny line of metal from the grinder – it’s necessary to remove the rust before painting. If the rust isn’t removed the paint will bubble up in the future as the rusting process continues underneath the paint.
Add a few baskets and the rolling kitchen island is complete!
DIY Furniture: More Inspiration
Click here to see other DIY projects we’ve completed!
Do you have any DIY refinished furniture or fantastic secondhand finds in your home?
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21 Comments
Jenny
I love DIY furniture! I think it gives a room so much more character and makes things more interesting. I love the coat hooks on the wooden panels x
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you! 🙂
Jamieadstories
This is great! You managed to reuse and brighten up furniture.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Jamie! 🙂
Molly @ Transatlantic Notes
Secondhand furniture is a great way to find a statement piece or upscale something with a bit of DIY. Many of the thrift stores I used to go to have sadly closed down but this has reminded me to try an find one I can donate to/buy from. These ideas you’ve shared are really great and it makes sense to use what’s already out there as it’s often more cost effective. Thanks for the information!
A Sustainably Simple Life
I agree! Second hand furniture can be so unique and be great statement pieces. I hope you’re able to find an amazing new thrift store near you 🙂
Jodie | That Happy Reader
I love DIY furniture and you’ve got some gems there! I really appreciate when furniture gets recycled instead of going to the landfill so good on you for saving these pieces and giving them a new life. Thanks for sharing.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Jodie! 🙂
Not-So-Modern-Girl
Great post! I love the look of second hand furniture, and it’s so much better for the environment than buying new every time x
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you so much! 🙂
mindbeautysimplicity
wow – that rolling island did a full transformation! these types of before and afters are so satisfying and just goes to show you can make use out of old furniture. you just have to show it a little love and attention.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you! It’s been such a great addition to the home. Super practical with it on wheels, so that’s a bonus 🙂
readandreviewit1
Love this! I really love second hand furniture, it’s such a better alternative to buying everything new. Everything you’ve transformed looks amazing too – the roller looks completely different! Thanks for sharing.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you so much! 🙂
Jaya Avendel
I love seeing your photos of the DIY fixes and upgrades you have made, from the mudroom to the rewired kitchen lights! The rolling kitchen island is the best by far; it looks completely transformed and I would never have suspected it was once a rusted old cart.
Thanks for sharing!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you Jaya! That rolling island has been such a great and practical item. So happy with how it turned out 🙂
Sarah
So cool! These are great projects. We just recently got more interested in DIY furniture, so it was awesome to see this inspiration!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks so much Sarah! 🙂
katejones73
Love these ideas! I’m not very handy, but you’ve inspired me to give something a go : ) I particularly love the coat hooks.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Kate!
Chalk paint is really easy to use and needs very little prep, so that’s a great place to start if you want to try refinishing a piece. It’s so satisfying to see something transform too 🙂
katejones73
That sounds simple enough that even I might be able to take it! ; )