Are you looking to refresh your living space without breaking the bank? Updating your existing furniture might be the perfect solution. Furniture updates, such as repainting, reupholstering, or repurposing, can breathe new life into your home while saving money. However, like any project, there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider. Let’s explore five pros and five cons of furniture updates.
What are the Pros of Furniture Updates
1. Cost-Effective: Updating your furniture is often significantly cheaper than buying new pieces. A can of paint, new fabric, or some DIY tools can transform old furniture at a fraction of the cost of a new item. This approach allows you to allocate your budget to other areas of your home or save for future projects. Especially if it is a piece you love but needs a refresh. You invest your time but the out of pocket costs can be minimal. Whether it is a piece you pick up at a garage sale or from a second hand store like Goodwill. These nightstands were found at a second hand store. They were less than $20 to purchase. After paint, stain and new pulls plus a little work I ended up with two beautiful pieces that fit the style and esthetic of my home.
2. Customization: When you update your furniture, you have the freedom to customize it to match your personal style and home décor. You can choose colors, patterns, and finishes that perfectly complement your space, resulting in unique, personalized pieces that you won’t find in any store. Furniture updates create a cohesive look in your home. Whether it is with paint, stain or fabric by doing the updates yourself you can create a home that flows, creating pieces that you love. When you update your furniture you can save money when you make everything cohesive. A can of paint or stain goes a long ways. You wont need to purchase new supplies every time you work on a project. When you use the same colors in paint, stain or fabric you are left with a beautiful home that flows.
3. Sustainability: Updating existing furniture is an eco-friendly option. By repurposing or refurbishing old pieces, you reduce waste and minimize your carbon footprint. This sustainable approach contributes to a more environmentally conscious lifestyle, making it a win-win for you and the planet. Looking out for the place we call home makes it a beautiful place that others can enjoy.
Whether they are pieces you own or second hand pieces you find for a great price, you are helping out earth when you repurpose furniture. It always feels good when you do your part. Helping the earth not only feels good but it is a way to be creative and share your gifts and talents.
4. Sentimental Value: Furniture often holds sentimental value, whether it’s a family heirloom or a piece you’ve grown attached to over the years. Updating these items allows you to preserve their sentimental worth while giving them a fresh look, maintaining a connection to cherished memories.
You might have pieces that fit the space and you still love many things about it but it needs some updating. My office furniture and kitchen table are a perfect example. They were the right size, great quality but looked a little dated. They wouldn’t be called antiques but pieces that had things about them I loved but I was not longer loving their style. Making over a dresser or nightstand didn’t make me nervous but the thought of making over my office furniture had me shaking. If it didn’t turn out replacing the piece would be expensive. Before I started I spent a lot of time planning and thinking through the steps I needed to take to get the results I dreamed about.
Before you start your big furniture makeover project grab my free DIY planning guide. You will be surprised by how smooth your projects go because you’ve got the supplies and steps in order. Check out part 1 and part 2 of the office furniture update for more information and steps.
5. Skill Development: Undertaking furniture update projects can be a rewarding experience that helps you develop new skills. Whether it’s learning to paint, upholster, or use power tools, these projects can enhance your DIY capabilities and boost your confidence in tackling future home improvement tasks.
Furniture updates are a rewarding creative outlet. A way to be creative and make something you love that reflects your style and personality. Start with smaller projects that will help you gain your confidence. Not only do you develop skills you grow as a person while you share your creative abilities.
The Cons of Furniture Updates
1. Time-Consuming: Updating furniture can be a time-consuming process, especially if you’re new to DIY projects. Preparing, painting, or reupholstering furniture requires patience and attention to detail. If you have a busy schedule, finding the time to complete these updates can be challenging.
Not everyone has the time to block out a whole week to work on a project.
2. Skill Level Requirements: Not all furniture updates are beginner-friendly. Some projects require specific skills and techniques that can be difficult to master without experience. Mistakes can lead to frustration, additional costs, and sometimes irreversible damage to your furniture.
When I planned my office furniture makeover I was worried it wouldn’t turnout. I was worried more about my table and chairs. What if they didn’t look good? What if it the finish didn’t hold up, what if the table top stained? Do some research, find out what products work best for the finish you want. Finally believe in yourself. You don’t know what you are capable of unless you try.
3. Variable Costs: While updating furniture is generally cost-effective, expenses can add up depending on the complexity of the project and the materials used. High-quality paint, fabric, and tools can be pricey, potentially narrowing the cost gap between updating and buying new furniture.
100% of the time my furniture updates have saved me money. It would have been way more expensive to replace the piece than the cost of materials. Even when I factor in my time it has always been a saving. It always about the money but saving money feels better than working on a furniture update that costs more than buying a new piece.
If you are reupholstering an entire piece the cost of materials may out way the cost of a new piece, but if it is something you love it may be worth it.
4. Potential for Imperfection: DIY furniture updates might not always yield professional-looking results. Imperfections such as uneven paint, poorly attached upholstery, or visible repairs can detract from the aesthetic appeal of the piece. If you’re a perfectionist, this can be a significant downside. Remember done is better than perfect and things will never be perfect. Love and embrace the imperfections, take pride in what you have done well.
You can always sand and repaint if something isn’t working out right. Start small and your skills will improve.
5. Limited Longevity: Updated furniture may not always have the same durability as new pieces. Depending on the quality of the materials and the execution of the update, the furniture might wear out more quickly, necessitating further repairs or replacements sooner than anticipated.
To keep this from happening make sure the pieces you are working on are good quality. Take your time, do some research and make the best decisions you can to get the results you are after.
Furniture updates offer a cost-effective, customizable, and sustainable way to refresh your home decor. The ability to infuse personal style and preserve sentimental value adds to the appeal of DIY projects. However, the time investment, required skill level, and potential for imperfection are factors to consider before diving in.
Ultimately, the decision to update your furniture depends on your budget, available time, and willingness to learn new skills. By weighing the pros and cons, you can determine if this approach aligns with your goals and capabilities, but if you ask me it is worth it. I have never regretted a furniture update. I have even redone a piece or two that needed a second update. Furniture makeovers are a beautiful way to share your talents and be creative. Happy updating!
