Whether you have a cool old sofa lying around that doesn’t fit your colour scheme or have come across a bargain too good to pass up, you can give it a quick and easy update in 60 minutes or less using little more than a bit of elbow grease, a paintbrush and a couple tins of your favourite Resene paint colours.
This project is especially great for upcycling indoor furniture that you’d like to use in a covered outdoor setting, as the paint will help keep mould and moisture at bay.
Watch our handy video, and see below for step-by-step instructions!
Step 1
If your sofa is in need of any repairs, be sure to address these first.
Sarah’s sofa was made of cane and timber with an upholstered seat, and while it looked dated, it was in excellent condition overall. If any of the finish is lifting off the timber on your sofa, give those areas a light sand with some fine sandpaper to remove anything that might flake off. Then, use a clean, dry cloth to remove any dust or debris before moving on.
Step 2
Using a paintbrush, paint the timber frame of your sofa in a Resene colour of your choice. Sarah used Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss enamel tinted to Resene Sea Fog for a crisp and classic look with a durable finish. To speed up the drying process, you can use a hair dryer. If your sofa also has cane sections, you may find some areas need to be touched-up after the first coat dries.
Step 3
Using a paintbrush, paint the upholstered seat in a Resene colour of your choosing. Sarah used Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Shabby Chic. This strategy works best if your upholstery is in a woven fabric, vinyl or a low pile plush. Touch up or apply a second coat of paint as needed. To speed up the drying process, you can use a hair dryer.
Step 4
Allow your sofa to dry completely before using it. Then, dress it up with some comfy cushions.
Order supplies online now at shop.resene.co.nz and for more Resene makeovers with Good, click here.
Sarah Heeringa (featured in the video) is a contributing editor for Good and author of two books. Her latest title is Upcycling your Home with Style.
