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An old cupboard that had been in a shed for half a century transformed into a practical and pretty mini-mudroom. This project was the winner of best upcycling makeover in our D.I.Y. July competition to find Australia's best D.I.Y. projects of 2022.
The project
This old cupboard had been sitting in a shed for over 50 years when I found it. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. It was a young couple who were pulling down an old shed to renovate and this cupboard had been in the shed for about 50 years. I couldn't get it in the trailer fast enough!
It took many many hours to strip and sand back the old crazed paint.
I painted it Dulux Lexicon half which I love as a white paint.
I resprayed some of the original hooks and added a some of my own quirky hooks as well.
Sanding back the seat was a fun job as there was a solid mass of something sticky on it and a few other mystery stains. (You just have to love a mystery stain). I did get most of them out but a couple decided they wanted to stay with the cupboard so I conceded and let them stay. I do love some of the old to stay with the piece.
I finished off the seat with coconut oil. (Yes it really can be used for anything) It's actually a great finish on old wood. Once I have done a couple of coats of coconut nut oil and it has soaked in I'll finish it with a hard wax.
I have added some sexy legs to it which I grabbed from Bunnings (because every piece of furniture deserves good legs).
How to upcycle furniture
Resident D.I.Y. expert MitchellMc has put together this simple step-by-step guide to updating a bedside cabinet with paint and varnish.
More upcycling inspiration
Upcycling furniture is an easy and affordable way of creating unique or up-to-date pieces for your home and keeping them functional for years to come.
Bunnings Workshop members have shared plenty of terrific furniture upcycling projects. You can check out some great examples from our clever and creative community in our collections of Upcycled buffets and Upcycled bedside drawers and tables.
Let us know if you need a hand with your own upcycling project – we're here to help.
