After buying a gorgeous new house your old furniture can feel a bit… outdated and drab. Suddenly your favorite pieces are beaten up and shabby. And the ones you thought were okay are intolerable, eyesores.

If after your move a top-to-bottom redecorating project isn’t option right away, and for most of us it isn’t, you don’t need to feel stuck with unappealing furniture.

The truth is you just need some creativity and a few free weekends to dedicate to reworking your current pieces.

Start with the pieces that just need a facelift. Touch up scratched or scuffed paint and polish any hardware. Then experiment with their placement. Maybe the office bookcase looks better in the living room and the credenza is right at home in your bedroom. Being willing to experiment to find the most unique and best fit!

Reupholster chairs, stools or even your sofa for a whole new lease on life. If you’ve never reupholstered before start with a simple project like a chair before jumping into a more advanced one (like your couch). Choose a bold new color for a statement piece or fresh neutral for a crisp, clean feel.

Add new legs to a sofa, chair or table. And yes! You can change out the legs to a couch. Add thin modern legs to update an old couch or swap out a round shape for a square-one, or vice-versa. You can even DIY a new table altogether by installing your top of choice onto a set of legs.

You don’t always have to add to your furniture to make it look fresh and new. Sometimes it’s what you take away that counts. Experiment with removing hardware altogether from drawer pulls and doors from cabinets for an open shelf look. Try removing arms from a chair or the back altogether from a sofa. These last two are perfect to try if you’re already upholstering the furniture.

Add contact paper in your color or pattern of choice to update a glass top or particle board piece. There are so many options and in classy options. You can opt for faux marble print or just a sleek black. Metal furnishings can be freshened up with metallic spray paint in a new modern tone. Or go all in and refinish a natural wood piece after sanding.

Avoid dwarfing your apartment-sized furniture by arranging it away from the walls. This will create a feeling of spaciousness in the room. If you have an area rug large enough to do so arrange all of your furniture within its bounds. This makes a room feel more pulled together and will keep your furniture from slipping all over bare wooden floors.

When it is time to upgrade do so slowly over time and prioritize by its importance to your lifestyle. This could be a new mattress, couch or cool new rug. What will make the biggest difference to your lifestyle? Start there.

Tag: Apartment