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This Sweet Farm

Upcycling Idea – How To Turn a FREE Wooden Bed into a Farmhouse Beauty for Under $20!

DIY Farmhouse-Style Look

Are you looking for some DIY inspiration or an upcycling idea today?  Check out this bed!  A simple project that I am very pleased to share with you!  Then read on for inspirations on how to transform your own furniture with this simple technique.

Do you love the look of the modern day rustic farmhouse?  Are you drawn to the countless displays of beautiful furniture that are taking over shops?  Stores from the lowest prices to the highest are quickly flocking to the down-home, warm look of the modern farmhouse.  Check out this super awesome table centerpiece to match our rustic decor!

Instead of spending thousands of dollars to replace furniture that we already have, we’ve transformed a few pieces from blah to WOW thanks to a simple upcycling idea.  

Check out this step-by-step video that shows the simple process that took only a few hours.  This is an easy weekend project for even the busiest of people!  

How-To Video Guide
What Did It Cost?

What was once a blah wooden bed has been transformed into a conversation piece, thanks to a little time, a few dollars worth of supplies, and some elbow grease.  

Bed: gifted to us (free but I could probably find one for about $40 used on Craigslist or at a thrift store)

Paint: One large container @ $9.97 from a local store

Brushes + Rollers: On hand but to replace, I could probably get the set for about $10

Electric Sander + Sandpaper: On hand but I’ve seen used ones for $20 on Craigslist.  Sandpaper?  $5.

Time: You tell me!  What is your time worth? 🙂  This piece was definitely worth it to me!

What Your Next Upcycling Idea?

After seeing how easy it was to design this bed in a farm-style look, I have great plans to apply the same process to other pieces of furniture and projects!  My next upcycling idea will be:

Stepping Stools:  Are you a parent of small children?  One of the most utilized pieces of furniture in family homes is a footstool for youngsters.  These are great places to try your hand at using chalk paint. Whether you find a used one at a yard sale or purchase the always-awesome IKEA BEKVAM (which we turned into a Mother’s Helper kitchen stand!), a few thin coats of chalk paint can take these from boring to bright in a matter of an hour.  

Stepping stools are also great because the best stools actually get used by little feet!  Therefore they will start to show a little “wear and tear”, thus adding to the modern rustic look.

Dressers: Dollar for dollar, dressers are expensive!  I am amazed when I see them on Craigslist or in second-hand stores–they are not cheap.  The cheap ones are, however, out there but they are often hideous looking!  Why not turn an ugly wooden dresser into something to be proud of by applying a few layers of a colorful, soft chalk paint?  You’ll be amazed at how forgiving the paint is, and what a difference it makes!

Dining Room Chairs: There is something really warm about a farm-style table with mismatched chairs that are welcoming and bold.  If your kitchen is in need of a sweet little makeover, try adopting some less-than-beautiful all-wood chairs and giving them a fresh face with chalk paint.  Add cushions for additional comfort or character! 

Tell us about your DIY transformations or an upcycling idea below!  Leave a comment or share some photos.  

Happy designing!

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