How To Upcycle A D.I.Y. Hallway Console

Black hallway console, with timber slat drawers and styled with a wall print, lamp and candle.

Overview

Give a white Hamptons-style console new life as a Japanese-inspired black and bamboo piece with modern lines. This upcycle transformation is easy, and the same makeover technique can be applied to other pieces of furniture to make a set.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Tools and materials

Steps

1Take out drawers and sand

Working on a drop sheet, take out the drawers from the console and remove the knobs with a screwdriver. Sand the console and drawer faces using a random orbital sander with 180-grit disc. Use abrasive paper for hard-to-reach areas.

Person sanding console drawer in the foreground with console in the background.

2Apply chalk paint to the console

Wipe the furniture all over with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Apply two coats of chalk paint using a 50mm brush to cut in and a mini roller for flat areas, leaving to dry. Apply a second coat and leave to dry.

Person painting console with black, chalk paint.

3Cut the bathmat with a handsaw

Position the drawers face down on the bathmat to mark around them. Clamp the mat to sawhorses using straightedges and cut with a handsaw. Trim the cord with scissors to remove extra slats and tie off.

Person using handsaw to cut through mat, resting on sawhorses.

4Insert spacers

Smooth over the cuts with abrasive paper. Position the panels right side up and insert 5mm spacers, using two to create a 10mm gap at the centre. Tape the edges, remove spacers and tape the centre.

Person kneeling down, inserting spacers onto panel.

5Apply adhesive

Flip the panels to remove the rubber grips on the back with a scraper. Apply adhesive along each slat, then position on the drawer fronts, flush with the edges, leaving to dry.

Person applying adhesive with a gun along wooden slats.

6Install new drawer knobs

Carefully remove the tape at an angle and install new drawer knobs with a screwdriver. Return the drawers to the console table.

Person removing blue tape from wooden slats.

7Keep in mind…

When using a power sander and painting, always wear safety equipment (eye and ear protection and a mask for sanding) and ensure the work area is well-ventilated.