Update old Soviet furniture in a few steps: 20 interesting ideas

Soviet furniture is often of good enough quality to serve its owners for years. You can throw it away only because the interior has become old-fashioned or tired. Many items are made of natural wood, and could still perform their functions for a long time, but this design! Fix up the look of grandma's chest of drawers or mom's wall for something really interesting.

There are several effective tricks that will completely change the appearance of the Soviet headset and allow it to last longer. Pick one or a combination of them all.

Repair and preparation for rework

If the table or chest of drawers that you got was not particularly popular, its design can be left unchanged. After all, it will not necessarily be furniture that has set the teeth on edge, and in combination with a modern setting it will look quite appropriate. But it is unlikely that it will be possible to do without repair work. Over time, the furniture dries out, and some parts will have to be re-adjusted to fit each other.

Be sure to pay attention to the following operations:

• Cleaning furniture from dirt, dust and soot (pay special attention to the corners);
• preventive lubrication of locks;
• fitting parts (if the furniture has dried out or warped during transportation);
• grinding and puttying of damaged surfaces;
• change of furniture fittings

In some cases, restoration of damaged surfaces and a thorough repair will be sufficient. If you decide to completely change the appearance of a particular item, this stage will be preparatory.

Restoration of damaged coatings or application of new varnish

The least radical way of alteration, which borders on restoration. You can slightly update the damaged coating, or completely change the look of the furniture. It all depends on the type of varnish and processing methods.

It is most appropriate to use in cases where furniture made of good wood species falls under restoration. Classic design, which will be appropriate in any interior, needs a delicate attitude.

Some useful tips:

• The easiest way is to use oil-based varnish, it was they who processed old furniture. In some cases, you can do without removing old layers.
• Apply varnish with a sponge, not with a brush, so you prevent the formation of stains and villi on the surface.
• Dry each layer for at least 12 hours.
• If you want to completely change the appearance of the furniture, use a two-component craquelure varnish. It will create the effect of cracking on the surface, and will make the furniture look like antiques.

Some pieces of furniture do not need to be radically redone. It is enough to restore the old layer of varnish and restore the fittings a little.

Craquelure varnish goes well with painting, decorative painting and decoupage.

Painting old furniture

Choose this technique if you want to completely change the design. Be that as it may, natural wood furniture can look a little bulky and heavy. And if for a spacious office this can be a plus, then in a small apartment you want lightness and air. Repainting will help make the design more democratic.

Some useful tips:

• Use this type of alteration also where the wood is badly damaged, or we are talking about inexpensive wood species.
• Be sure to remove the old coating from the surface.
• Sand the wood well, then apply putty and a coat of primer. So you will significantly reduce paint consumption and achieve a better result.
• After applying the first coat of paint, dry the furniture and go over it with a sander and sandpaper. This process may seem ineffective, because a significant part of the paint will be removed. But with repeated coloring, you will achieve the perfect result.
• It is easier to work with matte paints, they hide surface defects better.
• Use art painting or ready-made templates to apply interesting drawings.
• Combine painted details with natural wood.

Light shades and laconic fittings will make the furniture more democratic.

White color and weightless fittings completely transformed the old chest of drawers.

Monochromatic paint that hides the texture of wood looks light and modern.

In some cases, a light background works great in combination with contrasting fittings.

It is good to apply bright accents with masking tape.

As a stencil for applying paint, you can use an old curtain with an ornament.

Another version of the "lace" painting.

Learn the decoupage technique

This type of decoration has long been adopted by needlewomen. But why not apply it on a more serious scale? Use ready-made images, and apply them to a painted or sanded surface.

Some useful tips:

• Be sure to prime the surface before sticking images on it.
• As a material, use any drawings printed on thin paper, napkins, or even newspaper clippings.
• Thick paper must be soaked in water or decoupage solution before gluing;
• Do not limit yourself to surface treatment with glue. After the decoupage coating has dried, cover the furniture with a durable varnish.

Decoupage works great in combination with matte paint.

A large drawing can be printed on thin paper.

Decoupage combined with craquelure varnish and painting.