How to Remodel Old Furniture

When you were little, sitting on Aunt Kate's sofa made you feel like a princess. You have inherited the sofa, but the princess feeling has faded into a old-fashioned shape, out-of-date trim and dreary upholstery. Aunt Kate said it was designed to last a lifetime, and that now seems more like a threat than a promise. Fortunately, with a combination of do-it-yourself skills, limited professional assistance and a touch of humor, you can remodel several kinds of outdated furniture and get them ready to make a new generation of happy memories. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Upholstered Couch with Wood Trim

1

Remove wood trim for professional stripping and other work. Carefully remove the outer upholstery fabric (set it aside to serve as patterns for new upholstery). This process will usually reveal the clues needed to remove arm plaques and top trim, which may be screwed or pegged into the frame. Turn the piece over to remove legs and/or feet.

2

Have outdated mass-produced wood carving sanded flat. Have wood trim pieces professionally refinished or do it yourself. Choose a wood finish that will bring furniture up to date: a light oiled maple rather than heavy, dark mahogany varnish. Keep the carving if you find it charming, but remember that modern pieces tend to emphasize clean outlines, especially with wood.

3

Inspect your piece thoroughly to determine what you might do to change proportions to a more modern silhouette. Adding or subtracting new batting and sheet foam enables you to make a less pillowy seat back, narrower or thicker arms, and thicker or thinner seat cushions. Even small changes in proportions can set a more modern tone.

4

Gently remove and set aside muslin covering, batting, buckram and spring assembly. At each stage of removal, save materials and make notes on how they were assembled. Old pieces will help you determine the quantities of new materials you need. If you have problems with this, take all the pieces to a fabric store that stocks upholstery materials. Look at modern upholstery fabrics and colors to bring your piece into the present.

Round Wood Table With Art Deco-Style Metal Legs

5

Decide between an all-wood indoor table, a metal-and-glass patio table -- or one of each.

6

Separate top and table legs. For a new wood version, fill in holes where legs were attached with wood filler and sand it down when dry. Purchase and attach an unfinished wood pedestal base. Sand the top thoroughly and refinish the top and pedestal in the same color.

7

Measure the dimensions for a glass-topped patio table. Paint or polish metal legs. Choose beveled glass, to lessen chipping hazards. Have the metal legs professionally attached.

Table Lamp or Other Accessory

8

Use an unattractive furniture accessory as an opportunity to learn or perfect a new craft. The ugly lamp base makes a fine area for collage with tissue paper, printed paper or fabric. Use fresh colors with a little gilding to brighten your guest room or reading area in the den.

9

Treat an orphan kitchen chair as a canvas for practicing a new paint craft--antiquing perhaps, or stenciling. Sand, prime and get ready to explore a new skill. Put the final results under your kitchen desk or use it as extra seating on the sun porch.

10

Revitalize an old mirror's good glass by trimming the frame in a new way: seashells from the summer house, dried flowers or ribbon-weaving.