An interior design expert has revealed the best ways to upcycle old furniture to create a sleek new design – and all without breaking the bank.
Upcycling old furniture is becoming an increasingly popular trend among those who are trying to be more sustainable, or save money.
The process involves finding disused pieces of furniture, and transforming them into something more valuable.
Karl Openshaw, interior design expert and Creative Director at Blocc Interiors, said repurposing pre-loved furniture is ‘fast becoming a go-to approach for injecting character into your home’.
He added that there is a ‘fine line’ between a DIY experiment and a piece that feels seamlessly considered.’
Done well, repurposing can yield furniture that not only suits your space but becomes the standout feature within it,’ Karl revealed.
Meanwhile, Saurabh Kalra, co-founder of professional furniture upcycling brand RetroEnterior, also shared tips – including how to turn a profit by upcyling old pieces, and then selling them on.
Among the methods he uses are stencil, decoupage using decoupage paper, wallpaper, gold leafing, transfer, raised stencil, and moulding.
1. Start with the right piece
AFTER: This piece was an uninspired plain white cabinet before it was creatively and skillfully upcycled by the experts at RetriEnterior
‘Finding furniture that aligns with your home’s style can be time-consuming, and expensive,’ said Karl.
‘Repurposing allows you to create something truly unique, in a way that’s far more sustainable and often more personal.’
He added that people who are just starting with out upcyling should begin with a small, manageable piece.
Karl explained: ‘Think of a compact side table or a tired wooden chair, they’re perfect for experimenting with techniques like sanding, staining, or painting.
‘Chalk-based finishes can give a relaxed, lived-in feel, while high-gloss paints can transform a vintage shape into something that feels sharp and contemporary.’
Places to find ideal pieces include antique fairs, car boot sales, and online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace and eBay.
He concluded: ‘Be open-minded; sometimes the less obvious shapes offer the most potential with the right treatment.’
2. Use colour with confidence
BEFORE: Ahead of being transformed by RetroEnterior, this cabinet was looking shabby and unloved
BEFORE: This piece was another unloved bit of furniture, until it was given a makeover by RetroEnterior
AFTER: Following its makeover, the once dull piece is now unique and eye-catching
According to Karl: ‘Paint is one of the simplest yet most transformative tools at your disposal. A fresh coat in a bold, unexpected tone can bring a forgotten piece back to life.
‘Statement chairs in vibrant colours, paired with a coordinating vase or artwork, can shift the dynamic of an entire room. We’re seeing more clients embrace bold colour as a key part of their interiors. Pinterest’s ‘Primary Play’ trend is filtering through, where pure, saturated colours are used in a confident and playful way.’
Some colours Karl recommends exploring this year include butter yellow, which is great for adding warmth and light to darker corners; tangerine, which he described as a punchy accent that enlivens neutral schemes; and chocolate brown, which is ideal for grounding a room with richness and depth, especially when applied as a wood stain.
‘I would also encourage looking into eco-conscious paint brands that echo the sustainable ethos behind repurposing,’ he said.
3. Texture is everything
BEFORE AND AFTER: This cabinet is another piece that was given a new lease of life, with fresh paint and stencils
‘Texture is often overlooked, but it’s essential to making a piece feel tactile, layered, and expensive. It can take a budget item from flat to full of character,’ Karl said.
‘There are two ways to add texture: by celebrating the natural detail of older pieces or introducing new surface treatments. Solid woods like oak, pine, or beech take beautifully to sanding and staining. Using a stain rather than paint can enhance the grain while introducing colour, it’s a great way to celebrate the material’s original beauty.
4. Mix and match materials
‘If you’re working with flat-pack or veneered furniture, there’s still scope. For example, applying slatted or tongue-and-groove panelling to give depth and interest. It’s a subtle technique that immediately adds architectural detail and can also give the illusion of height when applied vertically to tall cabinets or wardrobes.’
‘Professional interiors are all about contrast and balance. The same rules apply when repurposing furniture. Combining unexpected materials can make a piece feel more resolved.
‘Simple swaps, like replacing wooden handles with polished brass, chrome, or matte black versions, can dramatically change how a piece feels.’
For those with more DIY experience, Karl suggests more involved interventions: ‘Removing the centre panel of a cabinet door and inserting glass or Perspex can add transparency and lighten the whole look. It’s a technique often used to modernise classic furniture shapes.’
5. Reimagine the purpose
Karl Openshaw (pictured) interior design expert and Creative Director at Blocc Interiors, shared his upcyling tips
Karl’s favourite tip is to completely rethink what a piece of furniture does.
He says the most impactful transformations often come when ‘a piece is repurposed beyond its original use’.
As examples, he suggested an old door can become a statement headboard, crates can be stacked into open storage units, and a low bench might become a sculptural coffee table.
He explained: ‘These ideas blur the lines between design and function – and that’s where the magic happens.
‘Repurposing isn’t just about saving money or being eco-friendly, though those are valuable outcomes. It’s about storytelling.
‘Every item has a past, and when you repurpose it thoughtfully, you weave its story into your home. That’s what great design is really about – personality, intention, and soul.’
6. How to upcycle like a professional
RetroEnterior’s co-founders Fernando Donadel (pictured, left) and Saurabh Kalra (pictured, right). The pair transform old pieces of furniture by upcycling them – and shared their top tips
Meanwhile, Saurabh Kalra, co-founder of professional furniture upcycling brand RetroEnterior, also shared his advice on upcycling like the pros.
He said: ‘Many customers bring their old furniture to us because they want to retain it but don’t know how to make it align with their interior style.
‘Before we begin the upcycling process, we make sure that wood is treated for any sickness, then we strip the existing finish, prime, paint, and redesign as agreed.
‘We use various painting techniques while designing like stencil, decoupage using decoupage paper, wallpaper, gold leafing, transfer, raised stencil, moulding etc. Most of the materials we use areeco-friendly to align with our principals.’
Tips from the pros
He also revealed how to check whether is piece is wort upcyling, noting that he always checks that furniture is not made from MDF or cheap wood. He also checks if it’s sturdy enough structurally and that there is no intensive wood damage, like wood worm or water damage.
Not every piece is a candidate for upcycling – including those that are too damaged. Saurabh noted that it can be impossible to revive the furniture if there is too much damage – and if woodworm damage is too bad then it could also damage other wooden furniture in the house.
Preparation
BEFORE AND AFTER: This wooden table was looking plain and tired before being given a very colourful makeover
According to Saurabh, preparation is vital, and before starting to paint furniture, it should be cleaned well if it’s not going to be sanded. He said: ‘Nowadays good bonding primers are available so you don’t need to sand before painting.’
Safety is also important
‘While working on furniture, we always use masks, gloves, and safety glasses whenever required,’ Saurabh said.
Some old furniture varnish/paint might contain lead which is hazardous to health, so a lead testing kit must be used for old furniture to avoid any health issues.’
When it comes to how long a piece takes to complete depends on several factors, including the size, design, condition of the furniture. A normal bedside table can take around two to three days to get ready,’ Saurabh said.
‘In terms of how much you should be spending on your project, again, it depends on the size, design, condition of the furniture.
‘I would say under £60 normally for a bedside table including furniture and materials (some material can be used multiple times).’
Could upcycling turn a profit?
BEFORE: This chair frame looked like it was past its best before it was given a major upcyling transformation
AFTER: After some TLC, the chair looks like a different piece of furniture, with a bold fabric seat and gold painted frame
It is even possible to make some money on upcycling, according to Saurabh, who said: ‘We’ve found some really unique pieces for free and sold them for £400 in the past, so there is a lot of potential.
‘It depends on what work is required, the condition of the piece, if the inside needs to be painted and materials involved.’
He noted that the cost of upcycled pieces of furniture may seem high, but these items will not be available in high street stores – and if they were, they would be far most costly.
Saurabh continued: ‘We sell at local markets, through various interior design stores, and through online retailers, such as Etsy and Upcite.
‘If you want to get into upcycling, I would recommend investing in: a good sander, mask, safety glasses, cleaning wipes, varnish, a good primer and paint (we use eco friendly primer and paint as it’s our mission to reduce carbon footprints), and paint brushes or rollers, stencil/transfer/decoupage paper/decoupage napkins/wallpaper depending on the project.’
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