Affordable Furniture Makeover Inspired by Scandinavian Design

Affordable furniture is easy to find if you know what to look for! Learn how to transform tired old furniture inspired by Scandinaivia. 

What are you going to do with your old and outdated bedroom furniture?


A. Live with it?
B. Sell it/get rid of it & buy new furniture?
C. Save your money and transform your old furniture into something you love!


If you've have visited a retail furniture store or shopped for furniture online his past year, then you know just how expensive it is to purchase new furniture.


Rather then spend several thousand dollars on a new bedroom set, I'm giving YOU a challenge!


Return that tax return refund $$$ back to your bank and save your money for something more important!


Choose option C and try your hand at updating your existing furniture with some fresh paint and new hardware.

Not only will it give your old furniture a fresh new look, it will truly save you hundreds and hundreds of dollars in the process!

Disclaimer: This post contains a few affiliate links to help you find the products I use. You are NOT charged extra to use any of the links. However, I will receive a small commission for purchases that are made through these links which help support my Dr. Pepper addiction. ;) You may read our full disclosure for more info. 

FURNITURE MAKEOVER IDEA

Today, I wanted to show you a quick and easy furniture project inspired by Scandinavian design. I acquired two of these side tables from a friend and although they would have been lovely refinished in a popular farmhouse style, I've been yearning for something a just a little bit different.

I've been pinning and collecting inspirational photos for our house remodel and I'm finding that I'm starting to gravitate towards minimal, simple, white and light spaces- characteristics of traditional Scandinavian style.



I'm not sure if it's a realistic look with two boys, but I sure wanted to try my hand at it! ;) We're calling this furniture makeover The Magnus project.

HOW TO GET A NATURAL WOOD LOOKING FINISH

I see a lot of natural wood finishes on the tops of Scandinavian furniture so I wanted to try and replicate that look with these nightstands.


That meant that I was going to have to sand the tops of each nightstand. To replicate this look you'll need to...

• Grab a sander and sand down the existing stain until the original wood finish is exposed. (I think it took me a little less than 45 minutes to complete both nightstands). 

• After sanding, apply MinWax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner. 

• Protect the natural wood tone with 3-4 coats of General Finishes High Performance in Flat. 

The original hardware was not going to work so I opted for some earthy neutral knobs.

Filing in the existing hardware holes was quick and easy with this wood filler. 

I personally like to make the new hole(s) before I fill in the old ones. Sometimes, I measure. Sometimes, I just eye ball it. ;)



I painted the base of these nightstands with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Graphite to help diminish the curvy lines on this piece and add extenuate the natural wood finish.  ....Kind of like when I want to try and look like I've lost 5 pounds by wearing all black. ;)

What do you think about the natural wood top? 

I love the simplicity of this makeover! If you're on the fence about refinishing your own furniture, I hope you'll take the leap! Here are a few easy furniture painting tutorials to help you get you started as well as this Painted Modern Pair of Nightstands that you might like!

Some of my talented DIY Furniture Refinishing friends have been busy too. Check out and see what they created with these...

1. Modern Pink Desk Makeover from 58 Water Street
2. Rustic Toy Chest from J Burns Design
3. Reupholstered Painted Vanity by Just The Woods
4. Scandinavian Inspired Nightstands from Thirty Eighth Street
5. Pitch Black Buffet from Lynn Fern
6. Fabulous Unicorn SPiT Fireplace by That Sweet Tea Life

Have a great week!
Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

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