For years now, furniture restyling has been a popular trend among interior design enthusiasts, even among those with no particular DIY skills.
Instead of replacing a piece of furniture, it can be renewed or transformed using a variety of creative techniques, from the simplest to the most complex. This practice allows furniture and accessories that would otherwise be discarded to be given new life, offering endless possibilities for customisation and reducing waste. One of the most fascinating aspects of furniture restyling is indeed the creative freedom it offers. There are no fixed rules, and one can be inspired by anything: both by the latest design trends and one’s own personal preferences. Among other things, many craftsmen and designers are specialising in this area, offering advice and services for those who want to have a makeover of their furniture without doing it all themselves.
Why is furniture restyling so popular?
There are several reasons why the restyling of furniture pieces has become a key trend in interior design:
- sustainability: In an era of increasing environmental awareness, reducing waste and eliminating – as much as possible – waste is a priority. Restyling makes it possible to extend the life of a piece of furniture, preventing it from ending up in landfill. This approach fits in perfectly with the philosophy of recycling and reducing the consumption of natural resources;
- customisation: a standard piece of furniture can be transformed into a unique piece, perfectly in line with one’s personal taste and the style of one’s home. Whether it is an old sideboard, a dining table, an armchair or a chest of drawers, the possibilities for customisation (a much-used expression, an Italianisation of the English term custom, from customer) are countless;
- savings: in most cases, renovating a piece of furniture, especially a well-made one, is often much cheaper than buying a new one. With a minimal investment in materials such as paints and fabrics, extraordinary effects can be achieved without spending a fortune;
- sentimental value: many pieces of furniture have sentimental value. Perhaps they have even been handed down through generations. Restyling allows these memories to be preserved, updating the furniture’s appearance and making it suitable for modern interiors without sacrificing – and, indeed, enhancing – its history;
- keeping up with trends: many of the most popular trends in interior design incorporate the use of vintage pieces. For example, Shabby Chic, Boho Chic, New Classic, Eclectic, Ethnic, Maximalist, Provencal, Transitional, Urban Jungle and Cottagecore;
- Put yourself to the test: sometimes the main motivation is also the simplest. Completing a project, devoting time and attention to it, ultimately results in something fundamental and very important: devoting time and attention to oneself.
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How much does the restyling of a piece of furniture cost?
For those who want to do the work themselves, the costs are of course variable and depend on the products, materials and tools needed. Obviously, it is always advisable to aim for quality. Generally speaking, however, it is a small expense: the biggest expense is time. However, many craftsmen and designers are specialising in this area, offering advice and services for those who want to renovate their furniture without doing it all themselves. In this case, prices can go up a lot, because in addition to materials and products you pay for the time and know-how of the professional. Alternatively, special furniture restyling courses are increasingly being organised for non-professionals. Just search online to find some.
The main techniques of furniture restyling
A person whose face cannot be seen is painting an old circular wooden table grey
- varnishing and lacquering: a fresh coat of varnish is often the most immediate solution to give a piece of furniture new life. For a modern, minimalist look, you can opt for neutral colours such as white or grey. For a bolder effect, on the other hand, it is better to choose bright shades or contrasting colour combinations. Numerous effects can be achieved with paint. We will discuss some of them in the next section;
- finishing effects: by using the right paints and sanding certain areas, it is possible to give a piece of furniture a worn but elegant look, perfect for styles such as Shabby Chic and rustic, but also for many other furniture styles. We will deal with this in more detail in the next section;
- decoupage: this technique involves applying paper cuttings to a surface, which is then sealed with a clear varnish. It is a great way to add an artistic touch or create a vintage effect. The term decoupage comes from the French decouper, meaning ‘to cut out’;
- stencils: they are very easy to make (you just have to create the masks, but there are also many types on sale) and are well suited for use on monochrome furniture, using contrasting colours;
- replacing handles and knobs: it is often the small details that make the difference. Changing the handles or knobs on a piece of furniture can completely transform its appearance. You can choose from modern finishes such as brushed brass or matt black, or opt for more eccentric details such as glass or ceramic handles;
- fabric upholstery: for upholstered furniture such as chairs or sofas, restyling may consist of choosing new fabrics. If the furniture is in good condition, in terms of its structure, simply upholster it with a more modern fabric or one more in line with the style of the room;
- wallpapers: if the first thing that comes to mind is walls, just think ‘out of the box’. They are also perfect for decorating furniture. A few ideas: the restyling of a table or bookcase.
The use of paints in the restyling of wooden furniture
There are different types of paints that can be used on wooden furniture, each with specific characteristics. Here are some of the most popular options and the effects they can create. First of all, a distinction must be made between two large ‘families’:
- impregnating finishes: these are those that are absorbed by the wood and penetrate right through to the fibres. They are not opaque, so they leave knots and grain visible, although they can be coloured. We discuss impregnating agents in more detail here;
- Film-forming finishes: these are those that form a protective film(film) on the surface. They can be transparent or non-transparent. They are what we commonly call paints, although opaque paints would be more accurately referred to as enamels.
Film-forming paints include:- matt lacquers: they are perfect for a modern, minimalist look. They give furniture an elegant, shine-free finish. This type of paint is ideal if you want to cover imperfections or if you prefer a uniform, understated effect;
- glossy lacquers: as opposed to matt lacquers, they give a shiny and reflective appearance, enhancing the details of the furniture and creating a ‘luxurious’ effect. They are widely used in contemporary environments, especially in combination with dark or bold colours, to make a classic piece of furniture look modern;
- satin varnishes: they offer an intermediate finish, giving a touch of refinement and softness. This type of paint is particularly popular because it gives furniture a feeling of depth without being too flashy;
- chalk and cementite paints: until recently, they were among the favourite choices in furniture restyling, especially for ‘shabby’ effects. Today, they have become obsolete and material paints are preferred.
A world of possible effects
The creative use of varnish makes it possible to achieve special effects that can radically change the look and feel of a piece of furniture.
Among the most popular are:
- rustic pickled: this is a technique widely used to give furniture an aged and, indeed, rustic look. It is achieved by applying a base coat of (often light) paint and then sanding certain parts to expose the underlying layer of wood or dark paint. How to do it? We talk about it here and here;
- pickled shabby: more elegant, delicate and romantic than rustic, it is usually done in white or pastel colours. Here are a few tips;
- patinated: gives the furniture a vintage patina with an aged surface with streaks of colour contrasting with the base colour. Here we explain how to proceed;
- shaded/ethnic: this technique involves creating a gradual transition between two different colours, resulting in a shaded effect that adds depth and movement to the furniture. It is a perfect solution for those who want to give an artistic and dynamic touch to furniture by combining colours that blend harmoniously. Here are some suggestions;
- metallic: for a modern and sophisticated look, paints with a metallic finish are an excellent choice. There are paints that reproduce effects such as bronze, gold, copper or steel, giving the furniture a luxurious and original look. These effects work particularly well on furniture with simple lines, adding a touch of glamour;
- natural: this is achieved with the above-mentioned impregnating agents, which enhance the natural beauty of wood, e.g. to enhance antique furniture. These products leave the grain and texture of the wood visible, while protecting it from scratches, moisture and other damage.
Rio Verde products for furniture restyling
Earlier we were talking about quality products, which are necessary to achieve a good restyling of a piece of furniture. In the Renner Italia Rio Verde range there is everything you need to achieve excellent results. And, in addition to quality, there is also great attention to sustainability, with low-impact formulations free of substances that are harmful to the environment and health.
We find:
- Vintage Prestige: a highly opaque water-based paint for textured effects such as pickled, shabby, ethnic and patinated.
In many cases, it can be used without sanding, stripping or priming (perhaps the most ‘tedious’ steps in furniture restyling); - Golden Prestige: these are also water-based and can be used without sanding. They can be used on their own, but also in combination with Vintage Prestige paints, to create extraordinary luminous effects;
- Transparent Waxy Finish, to achieve, together with the Vintage Prestige and a simple candle, theshabby effect;
- a line of impregnants, both for natural effects and (in combination with Vintage Prestige) for the ethnic.
The latest trends for restyling
- Retro minimalism: this involves restoring vintage furniture while maintaining clean lines and simple finishes. This combination of past and present creates an elegant and refined effect.
- Natural tones: natural materials and colours such as raw wood, hemp, linen and neutral shades are all the rage. Restyling furniture with natural finishes and colours enhances the intrinsic beauty of the materials.
- Mix of styles: combining classic elements with contemporary details is another big trend. An old dresser, for example, can be painted a vibrant colour and combined with modern handles for a striking contrast. Or the restyling of a wardrobe can become an opportunity to redecorate a room around a striking centrepiece.
What is the difference between upcycling and restyling?
Bothupcycling and restyling are practices that have to do with the ‘second life’ of a product. Upcycling means ‘reuse’. In general, it is considered a transformation process that, starting with a discarded object (which can be a piece of furniture or a garment, for example), allows it to be reused to create a new, usually higher-value product.
It differs from downcycling, which instead refers to the reconversion of products and materials into new, lower-value materials (which is what happens with recycling, such as what we do at home with plastic, paper, etc.). In the field of interior design, upcycling and restyling are often used as synonyms. It is, as already mentioned, the avoidance of discarding and waste by giving a new chance to old or obsolete furniture. In addition to this there is also so-called hacking, which consists of modifying the initial design and use, using the components of a piece of furniture in a different way, or recontextualising them (a couple of examples: building a table from a door, or putting together a bookcase with the parts of a bed). So what to do with old furniture? Find a Rio Verde shop and ask the experts for advice. Every piece of furniture deserves a second life.
