Furniture is one of our most expensive home decorating items, and often times we cannot afford to replace what we already own, or can get cheaply. There are several creative ways to take ordinary, tired furniture and turn it into a custom piece of art! (Or at least not make you cringe when you have company…)

1.Slipcovers are a lifesaver! They can be difficult to sew, but you can pick up quality slipcovers online for less than $20, (Sometimes less than $10!) Visit my slipcover page at http://thebudgetdecorator.com/slipcovers.html to find out where. You can also recover dining chairs easily if they have a removable seat. Simply stretch pretty fabric over the seat, and use a staple gun to attach in the back. Throwing a nice quilt over a sofa that just needs a little color or a cover up is a quick way to casually dress it up without expense, and can be done before last minute company arrives! Add a throw and some pillows, and you have instant disguise.

2.Paint your furniture! Even that old 70’s laminate furniture can be painted, simply use a specialty primer first such as Kilz Original. Paint all the furniture in the room the same color to tie mismatched sets together, or have a little fun and paint every dining chair a different shade. Go beyond the usual white paint…try a denim blue, a sage green or a warm honey for new neutrals that will ties in with any décor, but not be boring.

3.Adding a little molding or new cabinet hardware to a tired bookcase, desk or entertainment center before you paint will add a new dimension to the piece, and make it look brand new!

4.Use stencils to create a one of a kind hand painted look. Paint your piece a background color, allow it to dry. Now use a larger stencil on the doors, drawers, or tabletop of the piece. Add a few smaller complimentary stencils such as a little vine or a few scattered leaves to other areas of the piece you want viewers to focus on, such as uprights. Now seal the whole piece with a clear sealant, and enjoy the compliments coming in!

5.Use tiles to make your furniture into a mosaic piece. You can use mosaic just on the focal areas such as the doors to keep the weight of the piece in check. Be sure to paint the background of the piece in a complimentary color first. You can find several great books on mosaics at your library or book store. Tight budget tip: If you can’t afford tiles, use cut pieces of paper as “faux” tiles and glue on…just remember, your background color will also be your grout!

Five easy ways to freshen the look of any furniture piece in a weekend!

About the Author:

Kathy Wilson is a regular contributor to www.HomeDecorExchange.com  and the editor of www.TheBudgetDecorator.com, www.Women-on-the-Net.com  and www.TheGardenGlove.com. Please visit her for ideas and inspiration!