Melanie’s Blog

moving furniture

You’ve moved into a new home and you’ve painstakingly discovered a new decorating dilemma…your furniture doesn’t fit the way it did in your former home. The size and shape of the rooms just don’t accommodate your existing furniture. If you are experiencing this problem, take heart.  Many times furniture can be repurposed to play other roles. I have helped many homeowners come up with solutions to their furniture placement dilemmas. Often times it’s just a matter of thinking outside the box.  Furniture can often be repurposed and used in other ways. So don’t get discouraged, before you give up and give it away, try these tips:

Melanie’s Furniture Repurposing Tips

China Cabinets
Often china cabinets are large and bulky and take up too much space in a dining room.  Moving this large piece into a living room or den will add height and create just the right amount of drama to the room.  Once the unit is moved you may need to rethink the display. Instead of displaying china, a collection of pottery, brass or glass may be more suitable.  You could even convert your china cabinet into a bookcase. The key is to use your imagination!

Bookcases
With a little imagination bookcases can go a long way.  Perhaps you are in the market to purchase a china cabinet but have yet to find that perfect piece. My advice is to “use what you have,” but change it up a little.  This is called repurposing.  A fresh coat of paint can transform your piece from ordinary to extraordinary in a matter of minutes!  (If you’re a bit handy you may want to add some architectural details. Home Depot has a good supply of architectural elements that can be easily glued on to the piece). This converted bookcase will soon take on a new life. You’ll be proud to display your lovely china in this handsome piece as you wait to find the perfect china cabinet.

Need to establish a focal point in a room? Bookcases are one of the least expensive ways to create a focal point in a room.  Displaying collectibles in a bookcase will create the right amount of drama, height and interest to any room!

Bureaus
Are you saddled with a few extra bureaus? How about putting your TV on one of them? Dump those ugly television stands and use a beautiful wooden dresser instead. The drawers can be filled with CD’s and videos that are neatly tucked away instead of piled on the floor.

Bureaus can also be used as side tables and are a nice compliment next to the sofa as a lamp table.  Remember adding various heights to a room make it visually interesting.  Change out the old hardware with new knobs or pulls, add a table runner, then anchor it with a lamp and accessories. Viola! You’ve created an interesting tablescape!  Don’t forget about the drawers! They present a great place to store blankets and throws, photo albums and TV remotes.

Bureaus also make excellent entry pieces too! Start by centering the piece on the wall, and then hang a classic mirror above. Next anchor with a set of matching lamps and finish with a beautiful floral display.

Bureaus can work in kitchens, hallways, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.  The possibilities are endless!

Tables
Tables are the most easily adaptable piece to reincorporate into a room setting. For example, a drop leaf table could be used as a dining table, lamp table, focal point in an entry, bedside table, or game table. If you don’t have room for a sofa table, try it as an entry table, a writing desk or a buffet for the dining room.

Chairs
How about placing two wing chairs at the heads of your dining room table? This adds elegance and warmth to any dining room. Don’t forget your bathrooms, (these rooms tend to be the most neglected when it comes to furniture). I always try to add a chair in the master bath whenever possible for added style. I placed a beautiful repurposed upholstered French chair next to the tub in my master bath. It is not only functional but is a great conversation piece as well. (This neglected chair was found at an auto mechanic garage covered in grease and grime. I convinced the mechanic to sell it to me and had it refurbished).

For charm, place a unique wooden or iron chair in a nook in the kitchen. Use it to display a plant or to stack cookbooks.

Other Furniture Ideas

• A piano bench can be used as a side table or plant stand.
• A toy chest can be repurposed to hold firewood.
• An antique lingerie chest can be repurposed as office furniture.  Use the drawers to store paper and documents.
• TV armoires can be moved to bedrooms and used to store clothing or vise a versa.

So when it comes to making your furniture fit into a new home, often times it’s just a matter of rethinking the possibilities. When you repurpose, you’ll find that your furniture fits perfectly in your new home, only in different places. If you get stuck you can always call an interior redesign professional to help you with furniture placement. A good redesign professional will help you with repurposing and placement of your existing furnishings to create beauty, balance, symmetry and function in your home.