Who says spring cleaning is just for spring? Breathing new life into a piece of furniture or rearranging accessories around your home can make you remember how much you love your old favourites.
Autumn is a great time to get out your paint brushes and update a chest of drawers or table, print the latest photographs or style up corners of a room by moving pieces around. De-clutter and repurpose before the house is filled with Christmas decorations.
The summer saw the UK’s first National Upcycling Day on 24th June with DIY lovers giving tired items a new lease of life. You can be as creative or as subtle as you want: make a statement with print or pattern, stick to classic colour schemes or sand back finished paintwork for a more vintage, distressed look.
Whatever your interior style, the secret to successful refreshing is preparation and imagination. If the thought of sanding and stripping wood is daunting, try chalk paint – the thick formula requires no treatment (other than a quick clean before you apply), gives full coverage with just one or two coats and leaves a matte, contemporary finish.
Take inspiration from magazines and websites such as Pinterest and decide on a colour scheme that works for your room. Cooler shades of grey and blue will create a calming atmosphere while warmer, vibrant tones will add richness and energy.
Look around your home and see what you could do to refresh spaces and fall back in love with old treasures. Creating something stylish from an object that might otherwise be forgotten or thrown out is so rewarding. And you’ll save money, too. In with the old and out with the new…
Getting started
This hallway tallboy chest sat unloved for months – the off-white finish looking tired; the dark wood top no longer in keeping with the more modern airy feel of the room. A muted, grown-up colour scheme of blues and greys adds sophistication and a clean, crisp finish gives a more contemporary feel than the original vintage style.
Chalk paint dries in a couple of hours making it perfect for refresh projects. Remember to remove any drawers and paint them individually, placing protective paper or a sheet underneath. Attempting stripes? Follow natural lines in the surface and overlap the colours. Apply a second coat more precisely with a smaller brush, making it easier to control.
A small roller is great for tables and flat surfaces as it gives smooth, even coverage.
Pulling power
Adding new handles can spruce up an old piece in a flash and only takes minutes to change – instant impact for very little effort. Are your wardrobes in need of a makeover? Would changing your kitchen door handles enhance the look of the space? Textured, patterned or metallic door knobs can re-energise a room if you don’t feel up to the challenge of a grander DIY project.
