Options For Customising Your New Wardrobe
Whether you're an Australian fashionista or you just appreciate having nice furniture, investing in a wardrobe is the ideal way to add function and style to your interior decor. But the traditional wardrobe is anything but boring--with a few minor tweaks you can have an item that really speaks to your personality and style. Whether you decide to keep your new furniture close to natural or you go all-out for a new and inventive design, the result can be used for storage space anywhere in your home. Follow this easy guide to jump in and get started.
Deciding What You Want
Not every wardrobe is suitable for every customisation. While smooth synthetic surfaces look great as-is, wallpaper and paint may have difficulty clinging to them. You'll need to pay attention to the materials used to build the wardrobe itself.
Also check whether or not the wardrobe breaks down--furniture that can be disassembled is much easier to paint.
Tip: Choosing a wardrobe in the closest-to-natural wood material possible will give you the broadest range of options.
You'll also need to consider your own personal skill level; while an advanced craftsperson may already have knowledge of painting and finish techniques, a complete furniture customisation newbie may be better off trying a simple design.
Your Options
Paint
The easiest choice for most individuals, painting takes just an afternoon for most basic techniques. If you purchase a wardrobe that's unfinished--meaning that it has no varnish, paint, or coating on it already--all you'll need to do is start by using primer to coat it. If you purchase a wardrobe that does have a coating on it, this will need to be sanded down first. Using a furniture-appropriate rotary sander is an excellent way to make this stage go quickly.
You'll start by using a basic acrylic primer to coat your wardrobe fully. Next, allow this to dry. For darker woods, you may need a second coat of primer--this is also a good idea if you are attempting a bright, bold colour like lemon yellow or lime green.
Once your primer has fully dried, you can then apply an acrylic paint in the shade you like best. Optionally, you may use advanced furniture painting techniques to create a burnished or antiqued appearance.
Tip: Avoid painting on very wet or humid days unless you have an air conditioning system. High humidity in the air can cause paint to dry with a cracked, peeling appearance, and may introduce bubbles. Warm, sunny days are best, but you can also keep your home warm. A dehumidifier can help you to keep the air nice and dry.
Wallpaper
While it is meant for walls, wallpaper is an excellent way to make customisation easier. It can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, including both natural and synthetic wood. If you're a furniture customisation newbie, this is a great way to attempt your first project. The first step is to prepare your surfaces for pasting.
Tip: It is crucial that you fully sand down any dresser you plan to wallpaper to an even, smooth texture. After sanding, you should then use a soft cloth to wipe away any debris.
Once the wardrobe is prepared, measure out each of the panels that will be covered. Then, use a fine craft knife to cut carefully out each panel. Allow for an extra 1/2 centimetre on all sides if you aren't sure--it's easier to trim carefully off excess than it is to try to cover missing patches.
Avoid using wallpaper paste--it's simply too messy for small work like this. Instead, pick up a good spray adhesive. Make sure the package says permanent, as this will give you the best hold.
Once you're ready, lay down some drop sheets and apply the spray adhesive to the surface of the panel itself. Then, gently smooth your cut-out wallpaper down over it. You want to travel from one side to the other, squeezing out bubbles and other imperfections. Use a squeegee or the flat end of a ruler to get a better surface.
This should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before putting it into use.
Further help: Still not sure? Check out this video for a step-by-step walk-through. The process is slightly different but should achieve the same result.
Want to step this look up a bit? Choose a wallpaper that mimics a more expensive material. Use texture to mimic metals like burnished brass, fabrics like brocade, or any other number of high-end looks. You'll save money on an expensive looking design that will impress anyone who visits.
Having the right furniture is ideal no matter what region of Australia you live in. The wardrobe is a versatile and functional furniture item that can be used to store everything from clothing to kitchen items. If you aren't sure about how to make one of these innovative designs work for you, contact a specialist like Hills Robes & Screens.