Give ordinary pieces a whole new spin with these crafty updates
Style hacking sits in that happy space between DIY madness (new bedstead built from scratch? No problem!) and mass-manufactured blandness. The result can mean an original piece for the price of a tester pot of paint or a roll of wallpaper – ideal if, like many of us, you’re on a budget, but don’t want cookie cutter interiors. The following projects are achievable even for beginners. Happy hacking!
Oilcloths come in loads of gorgeous designs these days. This all-white farmhouse table has been given a super-sweet makeover, thanks to some pretty pink polka dots secured on top. It’s much neater than the usual flapping-about tablecloth (and easier to wipe down, too).
Measure up, fold the corners neatly, and fix in place underneath with a staple gun or tape.
Give a plain chest of drawers, new or old, a pretty lift by swapping neutral drawer pulls for colourful glass knobs. This tall chest was a given a breezy makeover with a lick of white paint and a set of contrasting turquoise handles. Sleeping baby optional…
If you can hold a paintbrush, you can definitely manage this one! Painted wooden furniture is a brilliant way to add the wow factor to a neutral room, as seen in this country dining room. If you don’t have an old chair in need of love, scour second-hand stores or eBay. Old-school Windsor-style chairs, like the ones here, work perfectly.
Prepare varnished wood with sandpaper (use wire wool and white spirit for wax). Use a primer to ensure a good finish – acrylic-based is easy to use. Apply two layers of eggshell, lightly sanding between coats. When it comes to colour, the only rule is to have fun. Try block hues, like this cool blue, or experiment with painting the legs and seats in contrasting shades.
Got a tired chair with a removable seat pad? Try revamping it without the need to call in a professional upholsterer. First find some cute fabric, checking the pattern works with your seat’s dimensions. Remove the existing fabric (the wadding/foam and seat pad frame should remain; if the former looks ancient, replace that, too).
Use the old fabric as a template to cut out your new fabric. Secure snugly in place over the stuffing and seat, using a staple gun to pin it to the underside of the seat frame, or upholstery tacks hammered into place. Replace the seat and admire your funky, upcycled new chair.
Tip I picked up an old chair for a tenner in a junk shop and made a new seat for pounds, but this trick could work equally well with new chairs.
Wallpaper the back of a cheap bookcase for a shot of uplifting pattern. It’s an inventive way to give otherwise dull units a bespoke twist. Buy offcuts of wallpaper from decorating shops (look for cut-price rolls from discontinued lines) or use samples.
First give the shelves a wipe down, then measure the recesses carefully. Cut the paper to size using a paper knife. (It sounds obvious, but insert them into the recesses to check they actually fit!) Mix a little wallpaper paste, apply it to the back of the paper using a small brush and fix neatly into place, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles.
Transform a humdrum mirror into a super-cool one by giving the frame a lick of bright paint. The result can really lift a room, this hot pink number being a case in point. Try spray painting for an even, glossy finish.
First clean the frame, then sand it. Lie the mirror on plenty of newspaper, making sure the glass is well masked. Cover the frame with a suitable coat of primer (depending on whether it’s metal, wood or plastic). Then get spraying, making sure the area is well-ventilated. Wear a mask and always read product instructions carefully before using spray paints.
Alternatively, paint it in gloss using a small brush, coating the frame thoroughly. Allow it to dry, then repeat.
If you’re anything like me, you probably have empty picture frames just waiting to be filled with exciting artworks you haven’t actually sourced yet (or photos still unprinted). No more waiting. There are so many beautiful wrapping papers around these days, so simply frame your favourites. Snip to fit your frame’s dimensions and voila – a lovely, original display.
Like flower arranging before it, decoupage is back in fashion with crafty souls. This humble hallway bench has been given a shot of personality thanks to a bright veneer.
Decoupage is a smart way to use scrap paper and glue to create a lacquer-look surface, and you can use just about anything: magazine clippings, wrapping paper or old greetings cards. Craft shops can guide you on the right glues to secure paper in place, and you can also find decoupage kits, special papers and detailed how-to guides online. The results can look fantastic.
Second-hand sideboards make great candidates for style hacking: you can often pick them up cheaply, and their rectangular shape makes a great blank canvas for all kinds of creative designs.
This 1950s model has been given a quirky update using classy wallpaper featuring winter trees; try stencilling for a similar effect. The shimmery gold top adds a nice glam touch as well.
With their blank facades, wardrobes also have tons of potential for adding extra style points. You can pick up plain models inexpensively if you look around. The owner found this cabinet in a flea market and gave it a chic, modern twist using wood panelling-print wallpaper in white and aqua.
The humble corkboard isn’t just for pinning up to-do lists: it’s also a brilliant textured surface for experimenting with design. All you need is some paint and your imagination. Here, several have been given a geometric slant, and displayed as practical artworks.
Copy the crate shelf trend
The crate shelf is becoming a staple in urban-rustic cafés and shops. Follow the trendsetters and turn your own wooden crates or wine boxes into similarly eclectic shelves. Buy weathered, vintage crates online or ask your friendly local wine seller for spares. New ply crate shelves can look fab too, as seen here.
Secure the boxes firmly to the wall using mirror plate fixings or screws and Rawlplugs. If you want the natural industrial look, leave the crates unpainted; alternatively, paint using eggshell, or cover the interiors with quirky wallpaper offcuts.
Give a plain chest of drawers, new or old, a pretty lift by swapping neutral drawer pulls for colourful glass knobs. This tall chest was a given a breezy makeover with a lick of white paint and a set of contrasting turquoise handles. Sleeping baby optional…
Emma Kayne 