Refurbished Decor/Bookshelf
Shop the staged image: | Gold candlesticks | Rug | Leather chair | Leather chair 2 | Textured blankets | Blankets 2 | White pillow | Floor lamp ‍ ‍| Textured baskets | Olive tree | Pottery | Terracotta lamp | Artwork | Greenery | Fabric chair | Coffee Table | Dark gray bookshelf |
I was thrilled to find this sturdy solid wood bookshelf/decor shelf on Facebook Marketplace for only $50. I immediately pictured how a little paint and some elbow grease could turn it into something special. It’s so versatile — I could see it fitting beautifully with traditional, cottage, craftsman, and several other decor styles. I felt confident this would be a fantastic piece to refurbish and resell for a nice return.
I started by filling all of the stylistic nail holes (there were dozens), along with any other small imperfections, using wood filler, and then sanding down the excess until the surface was smooth.
When I first got the piece I didn’t think any of the filling and sanding needed to be done. I kept having to remind myself throughout the process to be patient, take my time, and do it right the first time. Rushing or skipping that step would only cheapen the overall look and wouldn’t deliver the return I was hoping for. I had to shift into an abundance mindset instead of the scarcity mindset I’d been operating in — the “get it over and done with quickly” mentality — and embrace the extra effort it deserved.
I set up my paint tent, laid out the drop cloth, and got to work priming and painting. Instead of sanding down the whole piece to remove the topcoat, I sprayed this bonding primer through my paint sprayer. This handy trick lets you refresh a piece without stripping off the old finish first. The primer adheres to the existing surface and creates a solid, paint-ready base.
I painted it Sherwin Williams Urban Bronze, which is a warm brownish-gray: the perfect neutral that’s neither stark white nor plain beige. This color adds more depth, character, visual interest, and cozy charm to the piece.
I purchased it for $50, and in just a few days resold it for $400.
This was such a fun DIY furniture flip and a great reminder that you can create a beautiful space with refurbished, upcycled furniture on a budget.
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