Health & Fitness
Thrifting Tips for Fabulous Furniture Finds
Love to Thrift? HIP Chicks has tips on how to breathe new life into old furniture for fun and savings! Watch the video from Good Day Philadelphia.
HIP Chicks has been busy making a little DIY magic. Last week, I did a TV segment with Jennaphr Fredrick from Fox 29 on Good Day Philadelphia. I teamed up with to show local thrifters how they can breathe new life into old furniture.
We took a $1 chair, repainted it and covered the seat with a fun, funky fabric in under an hour. I also made a mini bar out of a pine table and wicker wine rack. There are fabulous, well-built pieces of furniture just waiting for a little TLC. Thrifting lets you shop “green” while you save some green. So reduce, recycle and repurpose as you let your creativity flow. Here are a few tips for wise thrift store shopping:
- Always measure the piece and be sure it fits in your home and car.
- Inspect the piece for quality construction - look for solid woods or high quality veneers, dove-tailed drawers (drawer corners that have interlocking wood edges) and make sure that it is free of mold or wood rot.
- Look past the finish. Focus on the size, shape and features of the piece. You can change the color later. You are only limited by your imagination.
- Consider how to modify a furniture piece. Can you use a dresser as a bathroom vanity? Would a long dresser be the perfect TV console? Can you remove drawers and install a wine rack for a custom bar or baskets to store kid stuff?
- Use good quality paints, stains and primers, following all manufacturer instructions.
- Have fun and be creative. You can always change the color when you are ready for a new look.
With a little creativity and patience, you can re-do-it-yourself, be proud and save some great old furniture from the landfill too!
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