One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and these easy-to-DIY furniture pieces are proof. But if you’re not finding the makeover inspiration you’re looking for in Grandma’s attic or at local garage sales, then consider online marketplaces to find secondhand furniture at a reasonable price. That’s exactly why we partnered up with AptDeco, a site that allows you to buy or sell furniture seamlessly, to show you just how easy it is to transform everyday items — a secretary desk, buffet table, and side table — into standout pieces that’ll bring color and life into your home.
The choice is yours: You can try your hand at these trash-to-treasure DIYs (they’re easy, we promise!) or, if you live in the New York City area, you can buy these exact custom pieces from AptDeco and have ’em shipped straight to your door.
Statement Secretary Desk
Mike Garten
Your office space should inspire you, and this bright and cheery desk will do just that. Modernize an old-school style with bold paint colors and complementary peel-and-stick wallpaper. Then replace the original drawer pulls with all-new hardware. The result? A floral focal point that’ll motivate you to get to work.
Step 1: Clean and Sand
Remove shelves, drawers, doors, and any hardware, then dust and wipe with a multi-surface cleaner. Use a fine-grit sanding block to remove the previous finish.
Step 2: Prime and Paint
Paint a layer of primer and let dry completely. Roll on a coat of your desired color and let dry. You will definitely need a second coat as well!
Step 3: Wallpaper
Cut sheets of peel-and-stick paper to fit with a craft knife. Remove backing and work from one corner, pressing out air bubbles. For more intricate shapes like the door, trace onto paper (leaving a 1″ border), then trim by following around the edge with a craft knife.
Step 4: Add Tassle
Reassemble your desk, attaching hardware. We swapped in brass drawer pulls and added a decorative tassel!
Multi-colored Sideboard
Mike Garten and Danielle Daly
Functional and fun, this foyer console is the perfect place to store daily must-haves while still infusing color into your home. Transform a dining room staple into a bold entry piece with a geometric-inspired paint job. Just pick any two paint colors that best suit your current entryway decor.
Step 1: Clean
Dust and freshen up the wood with a multi-surface cleaner. We used a cotton swab to get into the crannies.
Step 2: Sand
Prep the surfaces you aim to paint with a fine-grit sanding block.
Step 3: Tape
Map out your design with painter’s tape. Pro tip: Tap tape on your clothing first to pick up lint. It’ll make it less tacky, preserving your paint when it’s time to peel and reveal.
Step 4: Paint
Choose your color combo and paint on two coats. Optional: Seal the project with clear varnish.
Play Kitchen
Mike Garten
Give your budding chef a kitchen that’s just as beautiful as yours. Take an old side table and dress it up with all the accessories, including a chopping station, faux burners, and basic utensils, they need to play pretend. And if you’re leaving it out in the open, it might be a cute idea to match the cabinet colors to your kitchen’s.
- Clean the furniture with a multi-surface cleaner, making sure to get rid of any dust or grease. Use a cotton swap to get into any nooks and crannies.
- Remove the hardware with a screwdriver. Sand the entire piece with a fine grit sanding block.
- Paint a layer of primer and let dry completely.
- Paint one coat of desired color with a small paint roller for large flat areas and a small finishing brush for touchups. Once dry, paint a second coat if needed and let dry completely.
- Paint the interior panel of the door with chalk paint, as well as the wooden knobs and handle in an accent color. Attach the knobs and handles with Liquid Nails and let dry, according to the package instructions.
- Paint a pair of wooden shelf brackets and attach with a power drill. Cover a piece of plywood with butcher block contact paper. Attach the “counter” to the brackets with a power drill. Cut circles out of black vinyl sticker paper or contact paper and attach to the top of the cabinet as “burners.”
- Finish by sticking removable tile backsplash onto the wall and adding a set of hooks above for utensils.
DIY skills aren’t up to par? You can head straight to AptDeco to buy these beautiful pieces. While you’re at it, go online treasure hunting by browsing the site for more decor inspiration!
AptDeco (which is part of our sister company HearstLab, a community of women-led start-ups) curates their offerings and removes all the hassle that comes with direct buying and selling on self-serve sites. Think Craigslist, but with professional delivery and payment and no in-person meetings. Buyers can scour the platform for top-brand furniture pieces that can be delivered as soon as the next day. Selling furniture is just as easy and secure — listing an item takes two minutes, and most items sell within 10 days. The best part: The white-glove delivery team picks up and drops off items on the same day, taking care of the assembly and the heavy lifting for you.
