No matter how much we love a certain piece of furniture, there will come a day when it will be viewed nothing but as junk. The difference between junk store dust catcher and collector’s item is “makeover”. Transform your old furniture into new, functional pieces and have fun doing it.

Do you have an old furniture piece that needs a lift?  Sometimes tiny changes can make a big difference. Moreover making over one piece of furniture can give a whole new look and feel to the room. You can breathe new life into any old furniture with some paint and colour. Here is a peek into some DIY tips to your chairs, tables, beds and other antiques. With these simple and affordable ideas, you can transform your ordinary furniture into fresh finds for your home.

Furniture restoration involves tackling any aspect of work that’s required to get an old dresser or chair as close to the original condition as possible. Often, it’s more than just a facelift — it’s making the item usable again and possibly even adding value. Here are some tips that you need to ponder before you make the old new again.

1. Time to devote: it’s important to realize that the ‘restoration mission’ that you are doing as a small side project will turn into a time consuming chore depending on your skills and free time that you have in your hand. So before you take up the project, be sure that you have enough time to devote.
2. Research: you are no subject matter expert. So a little research is the need of the time. Research is essential for two purposes. One to determine the true value of the furniture. You don’t want yourself caught in a situation where you ‘destroy’ valuable antique furniture worth some good value. Second, to look at various options available to redo the furniture.
3. Budget: this is very important. You might love the challenge, but you need to access if it’s something that can be repaired inexpensively. Will the project cost you less than buying a new piece? And last but not the least; is it worth your time?
4. Know what you want: to have a clear picture of what you want your refurbished furniture to look like is very important. Otherwise you will have one plan in mind and by the time it’s finished it will turn out to be another junk furniture you don’t want in your room. So be clear.
5. Keep a How-To Guide and tool set handy: if you are a beginner you will need the guide. Also you don’t want to run to store in the middle of the work to get some tools. So prepare yourself before you venture. Some of the handy items are:

• Wood glue
• Wood putty
• Oil soap
• Measuring tape
• Plastic gloves
• Respirator
• 2- to 3-inch (5.08 to 7.62 centimeters) angled paint brush
• Toothbrush

Now that your toolbox is full and you’re armed with these tips, you’re ready to begin restoring your furniture to its former glory.

Here are some ideas for ways you can revamp your furniture:

Upholstery: Re-upholstering is a popular way to revamp old chairs, footstools and chaise lounges that already have the padded seating. You can either add new foam, batting and fabric layers onto something like a sturdy coffee table in order to transform and re-purpose it into a stool.

Re-purpose an object or piece of furniture: For instance, you could turn old doors or windows into tables, upholster a wood crate to make a foot stool, or add legs to a metal storage box to make a side table.

Add a new tabletop: Attach new strips/planks of wood, mirror pieces, make a glass tabletop, add mosaic tiles and grout it, or even add a layer of resin and embed items in it – like buttons, glitter, plastic charms, glow-in-the-dark stars or anything you like if it’s small and thin enough.

Stencils: You can buy a huge variety of stencil designs, or you can draw your own design and cut it out of contact paper before sticking it onto your furniture and painting over it. This technique is very versatile because any pattern you think of can be achieved.

Re-finish: This is where you re-do the finish that was already present on the furniture, and is mostly a method used on pieces where the wood grain is on show and simply is varnished.

Painting: The most popular way for revamping furniture at home because it’s pretty easy to do, and the choice of colours is almost endless so you can match your furniture exactly to your colour scheme.

Wall decals: You can easily apply wall decals or stickers onto furniture for an instant pattern.

Printing: This is a method of printing the same shape onto the furniture over and over – for instance by using a foam stamp and paint.

Adding different hardware: You can add various brackets and metal corner pieces to your furniture, as well as changing the handles/knobs for something more interesting and unique – such as leather handles, or ceramic/handmade/antique knobs.

Extra add-ons: You can cut-out simple shapes from wood to add to your furniture as a raised design, or you can add other uses to your furniture such as extra shelves, built-in lighting, curtains or jewelry storage.

Lining: You could line your furniture, e.g. inside the drawers, with wallpaper/wrapping paper/maps/fabric etc. using decoupage techniques in order to add an interesting design feature.

Note: the inputs are from TLC:How stuff works; The Ecologists, DIYNetwork

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Whatever the reason for living in small space, it can be made ideal, beautiful, easy and practical. We present few clever tricks to make your space look bigger.

While living in a small space, we do compromise on décor and style and end up making adjustments to our lifestyle to fit in and live efficiently. Small is beautiful and with right colour, space planning and flexible furniture, you can make a small space look larger, attractive and inviting. So we present to you some clever tricks and techniques which will help make interiors seem much bigger and spacious than they are in reality. So get inspired.

Image courtesy: freshome

1. Trick the senses: In fashion, pinstripe pants make legs seem longer. Same way, a stripped floor will make the room appear to go on for miles. Use an oversized mirror to enhance the effect. Use a focal point and angle the mirror towards it which will give an illusion of depth. Placing the mirror near a window to reflect the outdoors is especially effective.

2. Colourcode: Use light colours or neutrals throughout, as they are space expanders and provide a neutral background for furniture and artwork. They can convert a tiny interior into seemingly bigger living area. Light colours reflect light whereas dark colours absorb them making room look smaller. Make a statement using paint.

3. Clear the clutter: Simple but requires some imagination. Purge, streamline and reduce clutter. Dispose of everything that you have not used for over a year and create organised storage wherever possible. With things neatly arranged and out of sight, the space that is in view will feel orderly and open. For a small room, create a focal point that will draw the eye. Floors must be clean and clear to create illusion of more floor space.

4. Lighting is the key: If you have access to natural light, make full use of it as it will open up the space. Not only will it make tl6he room look larger, it will connect the room with the outdoors. Use sheer curtains and if the view is bad, use hanging plants and potted flowers. If you don’t get lot of natural light, add some creative lighting effects.

Image courtesy: freshome

5. Multi-tasking furniture: break the rules and create a furniture arrangement that’s different. There is no rule which says you got to have a sofa. Chuck them and get comfortable arm chairs instead. Get dual use furniture which creates more room by increasing the function of each space. Use multi-function furniture like a chest that can be used as a coffee table, sofa beds, chest of drawers and beds with drawers for storage. Use an expendable dining table, folding tables and nest of tables, which can be tucked away when you don’t need them. Take an advantage of the vertical space.

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Space is scarce in today’s cities. So what would you do if you get a balcony as bonus in your apartment? Use it as storage space or leave it bare? Come on, there are better ways to spice it up. Here are some ideas and tips.

Image courtesy: bereshithome.com

Count yourself in the lucky lot of people in cities across the world if you own an apartment balcony. Don’t ignore it or fret about the size. Just imagine how you will feel to step outside for your morning tea or watch the sun go down sitting on that little “space”, all to yourself?

Deciding what to do with the balcony is a challenge. As a result many people leave it bare or just use it as storage space for bikes, old items, and many more things. But even the smallest balcony can be turned into a cozy retreat with little imagination – and don’t be afraid to let it run wild. Now let’s think about what you want it to look in order to give some form to its function. Depending on climate and architecture, a balcony can be everything from a beautiful view to an extra room of your home. Let’s begin the “beautification”…!

1. Décor: you can match up the décor with the rest of your home and make it an extension of your living space. A couple of bright cushions can transform the outdoor seating space. A table cloth can brighten up a table.

2. Space optimisation: during summers why can’t the balcony be your dining area? Some plants, sculptures or lighting will add to the romantic setting.

3. Fab Floors: Put some flashy underfoot by adding some colour, style and life to the floors. Tile, paint, lay fake grass lawn, or simply put some rugs that will immediately create texture and colour.

4. Thematic space: collapsible tables, chairs with paint finish, wooden rails, plank flooring, handmade tablecloths or napkins could be used to create drama.

5. Green bliss: Decorating your balcony with plants can do wonders to improve its appearance and atmosphere. A little research on internet would give you an idea about what kind of plants will suit your home. But make sure you don’t obscure the amount of natural light coming into your house by overdoing the plants. Use bamboo furniture to create a Zen effect.

6. Bachelor’s pad: if you are lucky enough to have an exterior gas supply or are allowed to use portable gas appliances then add a barbecue for outdoor cooking or maybe a heater for party with friends and feel warm and cozy.

7. Waterproof storage: Invest in waterproof storages that can be used year-round. Opt for a low level version, pop a seating cushion on the top and you have got a double duty seating and storage in one. Let your personality spread outside. But remember every single detail counts. Think clear. Think comfort. Think style. Don’t let limited space put a limit to your love for outdoors and creativity.

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What is health and wellness? Seems like an obvious question, but why does it delude us so much? And what has furniture got to do with it. Let’s explore and define it, and most importantly, let’s find out if we are ready to embrace it.

Image courtesy: Wasserbetten

The ideas of ‘achieving wellness’ and ‘getting healthy’ sound very similar, and certainly have the same ultimate goal. But they are not the same thing. “Health…”, as defined by the World Health Organisation, “…is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” As per this definition, wellness has a direct influence on our overall health, which is essential if you are trying to live a better life. It’s all about being fully alive to the best of what our bodies, our minds, our spirits and our environment has to offer us.

The technologies that we live with in this century allow us to live and sustain all that better than any king or queen has ever lived – ever. And yet we still have disease, obesity, illnesses and lots of lots of unexplained maladies. What is it about health and wellness that it is so elusive? Higher rates of heart disease, increased incidents of cancer, record number of clinically obese people and various other health scares have all drawn attention to the need for healthy lifestyle choices. With technologies and open information arenas available globally, is in turn causing a giant shift in the way health and wellness is perceived these days. It’s all about the mindset and the willingness to invest in oneself.

It’s more than true that in India for vast majority of people, health, wellness, hygiene et al is a quip rather than serious issues and therefore, the investments in these issues are also close to nil. Thus our knowledge is also limited. Incorporating wellness into everyday life can be a challenge for most of us, especially for those of us who spend lots of time sitting in an office chair or travelling. These are certain aspects of our lives that we cannot change. But what we certainly can change is the way we live through this routines. It is perfectly possible to be both healthy and well without running marathons daily by bringing in the much needed transformation.

The world has changed so has the demands; be it the workplace or your personal space. It’s not about shrinking, but about rethinking. It’s about creating high performance spaces that support the needs of diversity that’s in demand today. Space influences behaviour. One way this can be achieved is through wellness furniture. Utility relates to how people enjoy the comforts of well-made furniture for relaxing, watching TV, visiting with family and friends or taking a nap on the sofa.

Furniture as a wellness equipment is a bit more challenging than furniture as “art”. Furniture makers and designers across the world understand this new age demand and are creating their products by mixing design and wellness. Popular furniture fair in Milan which attracts the best of designers nurtures such avenues.

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Just don’t know what to do with those odd corners in your house? Then put on your gloves and pick up your paint brush. Here are some simple tips and tricks of design, painting and furnishing decisions that can make dramatic difference in the space.

Decorating those odd corners may seem challenging. No, you don’t have to camouflage them to make the room look better. Instead, focus on the unique architectural features and then coordinate, rather than match, furniture frames, fabrics or small background details to help bring together the unwieldy space and disparate décor elements. Some basic decorating ideas for these spaces can help lead the way to a pretty and organised area.

     Image courtesy: casasugar.com

1. The first and the most important decorating ideas are to reduce clutter. Efficient storage spaces help keep the space clean and neat while giving them a trendy look. Here are some tips for this idea:

• Maximise vertical space: floor to ceiling shelves or bookcases with open shelves give the illusion of space and look trendy too.
• Corner shelves increases efficiency and can be maximised as no space is left empty.

2. Corners can be tricky, so why not make that space look larger through optical tricks? Correct use of light and contrast can be major contributing factors to enhancing the appearance.
   • Mirrors are excellent at reflecting light and creating illusion of a larger space.
   • Pale paint colours can also give a feeling of airiness to those cramped corners.

3. Utilise furnishing that soften harsh angles and lighten dark corners.
   • A round or oval coffee table softens harsh angles or long, narrow spaces.
   • Throw in a bookshelf and a nice rag or a mat on the floor and convert the corner to a reading corner.
   • Put some large cushions for seating or a bean bag. Complete the look with a lampshade and that odd nook will become your own little private corner.

4. Family tree corner: take up those stencils and brush and draw up a family tree (easy way is to buy those tree stickers unless you are pretty sure that you can draw well) onto that hindering corner and put up some pictures. Photographs look best with neat geometric frames. Or get caricatures made of each family member and give funny captions to them.

5. Accessorise: let the ideas run wild when it comes to accessorising.
   • Embellish the walls with your collection of seashells
   • Vintage garden accessories look cooler when used to decorate inside
   • Create a wind chime using used CDs and hang it
   • Plants cheer up lonely corner: nothing softens a big room like a potted tree.
   • Add a dash of vintage to your corner walls by applying old newspaper cuttings or book cuttings, etc.
   • Simply prepare the walls for kids’ art. Let the kids’ take over the corner and paint or draw. You can even have flavour of the month and let the kids’ do the job. That way every month you will have a new interesting corner in your house.

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