From Nightstands to Headboards: 20 Tips to Upcycle Secondhand Finds for Your Bedroom
Upcycling and repurposing old furniture has become widely popular in recent years. With more focus on sustainability and reducing unnecessary waste, finding new uses for quality secondhand pieces makes sense. Upcycling also allows you to add a personal touch and custom flair to bedroom furniture that store-bought simply can’t replicate.
But where do you start when it comes to upcycling possibilities for the bedroom? This article will provide twenty creative upcycled bedroom furniture ideas to inspire you to give new life to hand-me-downs or flea market finds. From repurposed dressers and DIY headboards to upcycled nightstands, read on for ways to transform your sleeping space with upcycled flair.
Why Upcycle Bedroom Furniture?
Upcycling bedroom furniture can provide a number of benefits, including:
- Cost savings: Buying secondhand furniture and repurposing it is often much cheaper than buying brand new. Even small upcycling projects can give worn items a fresh appeal.
- Environmental Impact: Upcycling prevents quality furniture from ending up in landfills. It promotes reusing rather than continuously producing new items.
- Uniqueness: Upcycled bedroom furniture is a great way to add one-of-a-kind personality and vintage charm to your space.
- Sense of accomplishment: Taking something old and making it into something “new” again is very rewarding. Plus, you get to design a piece exactly how you envision it.
When starting an upcycling furniture project, it’s helpful to have a plan in mind. Think about what piece you want to upcycle and how you’ll change its design or function to suit your needs. Gather any supplies you may need before getting started. Then let your creativity flow!
Bedside Tables and Nightstands
Bedside tables are must-have bedroom storage. But why buy new when you can upcycle flea market finds or old pieces gathering dust in your garage? Repurposing nightstands allows you to create functional, customized bedside storage. Here are five upcycled nightstand and side table ideas to try:
1. DIY Upcycled Concrete Top Nightstand
Give an old wooden nightstand new life with a polished concrete top for an industrial edge. Concrete tops can be made DIY or purchased as a topper. Sand and stain the wooden base in a complementary shade to the concrete for a cohesive, modern look.
2. Repurposed Luggage Rack Bedside Table
Turn a classic luggage rack into a narrow nightstand perfect for tight spaces. Use the existing rails as shelves for books and bedtime essentials. Add a drawer at the bottom for extra storage. Paint or stain the piece to coordinate with your room’s color scheme. Add wheels, if desired, for mobility.
3. Vintage Crate Side Table
Wooden crates make great side tables for casual bedroom decor. Look for vintage specimens with character at flea markets or salvage stores. Stack two crates of different sizes, then decorate the tops and sides with paint or wallpaper. Add caster wheels if needed. Finish by distressing edges lightly for a timeworn look.
4. Repurposed Sewing Table Nightstand
Turn a sewing table base into a spacious nightstand with drawer storage. Replace the existing top with a wood cut to size. Repaint or re-stain the base and replace cabinet hardware to give this vintage piece modern appeal.
5. Upcycled Wooden Spool Bedside Table
Make a charming upcycled spool table for beside the bed. Large wooden spools can often be found at craft stores or salvaged from factories. Cut a round piece of wood for the tabletop. Attach the spool base with glue and screws. Finish with paint or a stained wood top for a natural look.
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Dressers and Chests of Drawers
Dressers are likely the most common bedroom furniture found upcycled and repurposed. Their ample storage makes them useful, while the flat surfaces provide a versatile canvas for makeovers. Here are five innovative ways to transform tired old dressers into statement pieces:
6. Distressed Paint Dresser
A distressed paint technique gives new life to worn dressers. First, sand the dresser lightly to rough up the surface. Apply a coat of paint in your desired base color. Once dry, rub edges and corners with sandpaper so some of the wood shows through. Finish with a clear polyurethane coat for protection. Add new hardware for a finished revival.
7. Wallpapered Dresser Upgrade
Using wallpaper is an easy way to give a dresser a fresh look. Start by cleaning the dresser surfaces well and remove any hardware. Brush adhesive onto the fronts, sides or top and apply your choice of wallpaper. Use a craft knife to carefully trim edges. Reattach hardware to complete your dressed-up dresser!
8. Stenciled Dresser Makeover
Unleash your creativity by stenciling designs on a tired dresser. Use painter’s tape to mark off sections like drawer fronts. Apply two coats of paint in a base color first. Position stencils and use a foam brush to apply contrasting paint. Consider geometric patterns or nature motifs. Seal with polyurethane when dry.
9. Dresser-turned-Entertainment Center
Convert a dresser into a media console for displaying TVs and electronics. Remove top drawers to create an open space for components. Use the remaining drawers for media storage. Stain or paint to coordinate with interior decor. Add doors to bottom cabinets to conceal clutter.
10. Dresser Converted to Bench Seat
Transform a small dresser into a bedroom bench seat. Lay dresser on its backside. Secure permanently using wood blocks attached to legs and underside of bench. Add cushion top secured with adhesive. Repaint or stain bench base as desired. Add pillows against wall to create a cozy reading nook.
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Headboards
Headboards serve both style and function in bedrooms. Repurposed headboards are a creative way to form the focal point of your sleeping space on a budget. Here are five upcycled headboard ideas:
11. Pallet Wood Headboard
Rustic pallet wood makes an easy DIY headboard project. Find pallets in good condition and remove boards by prying carefully with a crowbar. Cut boards to desired headboard height and width. Reattach boards to create frame. Sand smooth and finish edges. Stain or whitewash pallet boards to suit décor.
12. Salvaged Door Headboard
Turn a salvaged wood door into a headboard with vintage charm. Cut the door down to the preferred size. Remove the doorknob and fill the hole with wood putty once it is cut down. Sand until smooth. Paint or stain door to complement bedroom palette. Prop against wall or attach permanently to bed frame.
13. Vintage Gate Headboard
Iron gates or garden trellises found at salvage yards create dramatic headboards. Look for gates around queen or king bed width. Cut gate down to desired height using a metal cutoff saw. Repaint gate in a new color if needed. Secure to wall studs or bed frame for stability.
14. Window Shutter Headboard
Upcycle old wooden shutters into a slatted headboard. Join two shutters together using wood glue and clamps until dry. Cut shutters down to preferred height. Finish edges smoothly with sandpaper. Paint or stain shutters to match décor. Attach securely to bed.
15. Repurposed upholstered headboard
Make a basic DIY upholstered headboard using plywood and staple gun. Cut plywood to preferred dimensions. Wrap cotton batting around plywood. Stretch your choice of fabric over batting and plywood. Fold fabric edges over corners and staple on backside. Hang on wall or attach to bed.
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Other Bedroom Furniture Ideas
Don’t stop at the major furniture pieces when upcycling for the bedroom. Smaller furnishings and accessories also provide opportunity for creativity. Upcycle these for extra bedroom storage and flair:
16. Bench Made From Old Table
Convert a small, outdated dining table into a rustic bench. Cut the table legs down to the desired bench height. Secure the top to the shortened legs using corner braces on the underside. Add cushions to the bench top for comfort. Use as a sitting area or end of bed bench.
17. Repurposed Ladder Shelf
Make an on-trend ladder shelf from an old wooden ladder to hold books or lighting. Choose a ladder with shelves or add wooden boxes to steps – avoid metal rungs. Cut ladder down to workable size. Sand and finish smooth. Secure to wall for safety. Style with decor items.
18. Old Door Turned Desk
Turn a wood door into a laidback laptop workstation or writing desk. Cut door down to desk height as needed. Sand edges smooth and apply finish. Prop against wall or mount permanently on brackets. Add legs or casters for stability. Decorate work surface with office supplies or decor.
19. Dresser Mirror Jewelry Organizer
Reimagine a discarded dresser mirror as a jewelry organizer. Repurpose the existing frame or make a new frame out of molding. Attach hooks along the bottom for hanging necklaces. Use small knobs and cups along the sides for storing rings, earrings, and more.
20. Upcycled Chair Side Table
An old wooden chair missing its seat can be upcycled into a side table. Cut chair legs down to desired table height. Screw a square piece of wood to top of legs for tabletop – sand and finish smooth. Repaint or stain chair base and legs as needed for refreshed appeal.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling uninspired by the prospects of furniture shopping, don’t despair. With a little creativity and elbow grease, upcycling existing pieces can give new life and purpose to worn and outdated bedroom items.
Certain pieces like dressers, nightstands, headboards and benches lend themselves particularly well to DIY makeovers. But even smaller accessories like ladders, mirrors and old doors can provide ample opportunity for upcycled projects.
The benefit of upcycled bedroom furniture is that it saves quality items from landfills and allows you to create customized, one-of-a-kind furnishings. So next time you come across a discarded dresser or flea market nightstand, envision the possibilities and start an upcycling project! The process can be rewarding, budget-friendly and an eco-friendly way to establish furniture that reflects your unique style.
