DIY cabinet décor - 5 ways

"Dear dear cabinet!" - this is exactly how the Russian classic Anton Chekhov addressed this piece of furniture that is present in a variety of variations in each apartment. Once the presence of a massive wardrobe was evidence of the social status of the family and its wealth. Today, it does not matter at all what large-sized object with surfaces requiring a new life you have available - a cupboard, a three-fold wardrobe, a delivery cabinet, a chest or a sideboard. The main thing is that there is a desire to customize the décor of the cabinet, to make it an individual, accent interior detail, emphasizing the mood and character of the owner.

Preliminary preparation

To start implementing the plan for decorating an old cabinet, you must first fulfill several conditions:

• decide what style should correspond to the "new" furniture object;
• choose a room that he decorates himself after the update;
• determine the method of decoration;
• prepare the surface of the furniture for further work.

In the majority of options decorate wooden surfaces.

Preparation includes the following mandatory steps:

1. Removing the doors of the cabinet with hinges (in a horizontal position it is more convenient to work with them);
2. Dismantling metal parts (handles, hinges, keyholes) or neatly gluing them with masking tape;
3. Cleansing the entire surface of fat spots and dirt with special compounds;
4. The application of materials loosening the old paintwork;
5. Removal of coating layers with a spatula, brush or different numbers of emery paper;
6. If necessary - restoration of chips and scratches with hardening mastic, or putty on wood;
7. Final grinding of surfaces;
8. Dusting;
9. Applying a coat of primer.

The following steps in the process of creating an "outstanding" piece of furniture vary depending on the type of decor chosen.

These may include:

• painting in several layers;
• varnishing;
• coating craquelure;
• replacement of the main blade in framed doors;
• drying;
• pasting;
• drawing ornaments and patterns;
• painted paintings;
• patinated patina;
• finishing with metal "suitcase" corners;
• final painting with a dry brush.

Having given the cabinet a different look, do not forget to change the accessories to a more spectacular one. New handles made of plastic, earthenware, metal, combined, double or single - the variety is huge. If the door had a handle fixed by one screw, then when replacing it with a double-fastening model, it is necessary to cover the hole with a putty, sand it, paint it in a general tone, and then drill the necessary holes in other places.

Ways to decorate furniture

If you see an exclusive piece of furniture in an antique or elite store, consider how you can create a worthy competitor for it with your own hands. In order for a massive wardrobe in the home interior not to irritate with its old-fashioned ugliness and not to awaken the desire of the owners to call the movers brigade and take the junk to the dump, you only need to arm yourself with knowledge, have patience, apply diligence and spend a little time.

Materials for decoration will draw even a modest family budget, because it's not about the high cost, but your imagination. But you will become the owner of the overall subject of genuine author's design.

To understand what materials will be needed for a particular type of decoration, it is necessary to study the process from beginning to end.

Making a clear plan of action, having collected the necessary materials, you can begin to decorate.

Choosing a style

The very first step is to imagine what should happen in the end. Imagine a picture or find it in an interior magazine, and then based on the visualization, choose a method of implementation.

1. Provence style will be supported by furniture decorated using decoupage technique, painted by hand, decorated with hand-embroidered fabrics or partially pasted over with companion wallpapers that support the overall tone of the room.
2. Russian direction (folk, old Russian, popular prints) is the application of ornaments and patterns on wood or glass facades. In the nursery or in the kitchen, a painted overall object for storing dishes, table linen, children's clothes or toys will become a real treasure.
3. The belonging of simple objects in the form of chinoiserie, colonial or eclecticism will emphasize the painting with Chinese motifs, followed by varnishing.
4. The soft classics of the bedroom can be set off by the volume quilted wardrobe doors, echoing the production method, the material chosen, the color with the high headboard of the bed.
5. Even in a simple and strict minimalism there is a place for the “joke” of the designer, making the interior special. Using the craquelure coating on a single object, painted in a single color scheme with other furniture, is a way to create an accent, a "highlight" of the decorated space.

When decorating furniture using decoupage technique for the first time, choose white paint for the base. This tone is easier to pick up the necessary decoupage napkins, and the PVA glue will remain inconspicuous. The product will look professionally made because of the overall light coverage. Dark surface neatly decorate more difficult.

Features of each type of decor

To decorate an old cabinet, it is not necessary to be a pro in some craft or art. What is needed is a desire and ability to scrupulously perform a certain sequence of actions.

Decorating glass doors in a cupboard or sideboard in a technique that imitates historical stained glass or tiffany will require great care, proper selection of colors and preliminary drawing up a diagram indicating the numbers of dyes. But irises and poppies, magical art nouveau ornaments, gothic rhombuses, fancy eclectic compositions will be the subject of admiration of everyone around.

If there is a master in the house who is able to work with a tree carefully, then you can instruct him to remove the usual wooden panel from the door. The resulting "empty" window is easy to tighten with embroidered canvas, canvas with lace inserts, rattan weaving. By simplifying the version and leaving the panel, you can use upholstery with an interesting fabric as a decor, or a quilted version, which gives the subject an unexpected amount.

If a cupboard in the style of shebbi-chic has become a dream, then you can create the necessary "scuffs" that give the object a touch of antiquity, you can paint the surfaces with darker paint first, then apply a lighter tone and, without waiting for its final drying, walk over the top with a sponge or dry brush performing "erasing" movements. From under the white layer there will be a softened dark tone that will create the desired effect.

Do not despair that all the old furniture before the repair was sent to a landfill, and create a miracle with your own hands will not succeed. Even if you have purchased a new headset - it is faceless, similar to thousands of others, and having yourself decorated it with decor, you will get something that no one else will have. You can create and present to the guests a nursery, bedroom or kitchen from an outstanding designer - yourself.

Step-by-step instructions for decorating the old wallpaper cabinet

Pasting furniture with wallpaper is a fast, simplest and inexpensive way to get a familiar item in a new image. In this type of decoration, a significant advantage is savings - partly you can use wallpaper trim, remaining after the repair.

The primary task is to decide what will be exposed to the decor: the inner space of the old cabinet, its side external walls or the facade. Having decided on the choice, having prepared the necessary tools and materials, having gathered courage, proceed.

1. Draw a sketch of what you want to get as a result (the degree of ability to draw does not matter);
2. Do the preparatory work;
3. Carefully clean the surfaces to be plastered;
4. Use paper wallpaper. Cut the required pieces, the edges should be perfectly flat;
5. Stick the wallpaper. Observe the direction of the pattern on the adjacent doors, if you have no idea to make them different. Also for different surfaces, you can use different wallpapers, as long as they can be combined with each other;
6. Prime the glued wallpaper with PVA glue diluted with water;
7. Cover the decorated surface with a layer of varnish;
8. Let your “masterpiece” dry well;
9. Screw the new fittings that can further decorate the cabinet.

Varnishing of pasted planes is an opportunity in the future to easily wipe them from the resulting pollution. The overall tone under the varnish film will look darker and richer, keep this in mind when painting the product.