The 8 Best Furniture Makeovers We’ve Seen So Far This Year

published Aug 18, 2020
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Before: faded, yellowed vintage couch with sagging seat
Credit: Alli Gannett

It’s always inspiring to see the creative ways people repurpose their furniture, and how they’re able to give old things a second life. Whether it’s by trying their hand at reupholstering furniture for the first time or creating their own marble finish, plenty of DIYers manage to create some fun, high-end looks without buying new stuff or spending an excessive amount on materials. We’ve seen lots of impressive, budget-wise furniture redos this year, but some stood out above the rest. These are the best furniture redos we’ve seen so far this year.

A $0 Project Gives Plain Kitchen Chairs a New Shine

After Natasha Landers noticed some chic (but expensive) kitchen chairs online with a similar frame to hers, she decided to take matters into her own hands. By using some sandpaper, tape, and paint samples, she completed this chair transformation in a few days, without spending any money.

This DIYer’s Vintage Chair Redo Features a Clever Budget Upholstery Hack

As a part of Megan’s Mystery Makeover Challenge, DIY extraordinaire Carli of Made by Carli was tasked with transforming an item she already owned. Her inspiration word was “the 1920s” and wow, she did not disappoint. Carli took a vintage chair and with a clever upholstery hack, she transformed it into a statement piece.

Credit: Bellamy Grindl
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With Less Than $100, This Dark Dresser is Totally Transformed

Inspired by the DIY bloggers and Instagrammers she follows, Bellamy Grindl decided to tackle her own project with this DIY transformation that takes a plain dark dresser and turns it into something seriously trendy. With a little bit of caning, trim, linseed oil, wood glue, and a staple gun, she was able to create this caned masterpiece.

A $75 Vintage Sofa Redo Takes Advantage of Surprise Materials

When Alli Gannet purchased a sofa off of Facebook Marketplace, she knew it was going to need some work. She had never reupholstered an item before, but there’s a first time for everything. With a mix of new and repurposed items and a little bit of elbow grease, Gannet completed this vintage sofa redo for only $75.

Credit: Justine
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Just 3 Elements Turn This Dated Shelf into a Happy Display

DIYer Justine knows potential when she sees it. She took a mediocre china cabinet and turned it into a fun, nearly unrecognizable piece. Her secret? Removable wallpaper, paint, new pulls, and a willingness to learn. She says that anytime you’re stuck, don’t be afraid to pull up some DIY how-tos and videos, and you’ll soon figure it out.

A Cheery, Organized Workspace for Less Than $50

When Mary Weafer of Weafer Design realized her daughter would most likely be finishing out the school year at home, she knew she needed a proper workspace for her schoolwork. Weafer scored a $25 desk off of Craigslist and with a week of cleaning, sanding, primer, paint, and new pulls, she created a fresh, cheerful desk for her daughter to do schoolwork.

A $100 Table Redo Inspired by a $5,000 Designer Find

When Michaell Johnson of The Vanilla Plum saw a $5,000 black and white striped designer coffee table, she fell in love with the design, but not the price tag. She had previously rescued a coffee table off of the curb, and with $100 worth of materials, she was able to elevate it to a seriously high-end look. Using a mix of paint to create a “veins” as well as epoxy, Johnson and her husband were able to pull off a marble look that consistently fools her guests.

A Fun and Functional $100 Kid-Friendly Work Space

When Kera Jeffers wanted to make a space for her son to do school work and craft projects, she opted to redo a sturdy desk she found while thrifting instead of buying new. With a fun paint color and sealer, as well as a hardware switch-out, she created a beautiful, practical space for her son, complete with a pegboard and new lighting-all for under $100.