This DIY Antique Shelf Makeover project was fun and simple. My mom and I love to antique shop. It’s even better when we come across something that we can breathe new life into. She owned an antique mall in Florida for many years and was always working on a piece of furniture so I learned a lot.
Supplies for DIY Antique Shelf Makeover
- White Paint Flat or Satin
- Sand Paper
- Cloth (or cheese cloth)
- Paintbrush
- Paper Towels
- Drop Cloth
Steps
The shelf we found was made of solid old bead board and hard pine. We almost did not buy it because it was so dark and the shelves where narrow, but we both love bead board so it had to come home with us. First, I cleaned the shelf unit off with a paper towel and water to remove any dust and grime.
Next, I grabbed some white satin paint I had laying around the house and a regular paint brush. It took three coats to cover the dark wood. I wanted to use the paint we had on hand otherwise I would’ve used flat paint. Flat tends to cover better and hides imperfections.
If you are going to use a satin pain you should sand your shelf down first and be sure to wipe it down good before you paint. The paint sticks better to a sanded surface, especially satin paint.
Do’s and Don’ts Lessons learned
Do clean the item your going to paint very well.
Don’t use a satin base paint without sanding the object first or it may take multiple coats.
Use a good paint brush so there are no visible strokes.
Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.
Do use a drop cloth under your project to prevent drips or spills on your floor.
Conclusion
It’s pretty easy to redo antiques and vintage furniture when the piece does not need structural repair. These shelves and vanities and such are welcome additions to country, shabby chic, and farmhouse decor. The entire cost for this project was only $55.00. You can’t find pieces made with this type of wood today. Most are particle or MDF boards.
Think about trying something like this when you are looking for a piece of furniture for your home. Bring life to old pieces!
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If you like this then check out this post on turning found shutters into a cute shabby chic headboard!