There's A Free Way To Update Your Furniture (And You Likely Already Have What You Need)

Avid DIYer or not, there are many reasons why you might want to upgrade furniture you already have for a new look. Maybe your hand-me-down dresser is a tad bit outdated for your taste, or perhaps you're craving some color in your home, and your set of wooden chairs makes the perfect candidate. But then you remember: you're on a budget. A can of paint typically costs over $20. New handles and knobs would cost another $20 on average. Add a $15-ish roll of wallpaper to the mix, and you're bound to spend a pretty penny. That is, unless you just use leftover paint instead.

We're all for repurposing leftover paint instead of letting it rot in the garage. Whether it's a can of spray paint from a previous DIY project or paint samples you snagged while refreshing your walls, any leftover supplies will do. It doesn't even have to be a large amount of paint if you're willing to get creative. Just be sure to check that it hasn't gone bad first. You can tell it's no longer fit for use by a funky smell or changes in texture, like clumps. You're also better off tossing your paint if it no longer blends when stirred.

The first order of business is to prep your furniture before refurbishing it. Remove the knobs and drawers if you're working on a cabinet, take off the cushion if it's a chair, etc. Next, clean off any dust, grease, and grime. You don't need a special cleaner to do so — a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water, plus a little dishwashing soap, will get the job done just fine.

Then comes sanding. You might need to shell out a few bucks for some sandpaper. But even better if you already have some (or leftover finish stripper) lying around. Strip/sand away old layers of paint or stains so your new coat goes on smoothly. Once that's done and everything has been wiped down, grab your paint. You'll obviously need a paintbrush or a roller for this step. The good news? Your painting equipment might be ready for a few more coats if you cleaned them after their last use.

All things considered, updating furniture with leftover paint provides the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity. Depending on how much paint you have on hand, you can go for a unified look or use different colors on different parts of the furniture. Think: a blue seat with a white frame. Or, swathe the top half of your dresser in one color and the bottom half in another. You don't even need to paint the entire piece for a big impact. Instead, consider drawing designs (like flowers and geometric patterns) on the surface if you're running low.