Everything Old Is New Again . Or It Can Be

By Stacey Cassidy
Owner, Savvy Consignments

Many of us grew up with formal living rooms and dining rooms filled with mahogany or oak furniture, and probably just as many of us have held on to much of that old and dated furniture. Those styles don’t work so well these days. Now, we have different lifestyles - more casual, more comfortable, less put together.

Your old furniture can find new life with a different finish or even in a different capacity, often with simple additions or alterations. You may also be able to refurnish your home at a reduced price by using old furniture found in antique or consignment stores and repurposed. While refinishing furniture can give a new look, repurposing furniture can give your home a personalized decor no one else will have.

Shabby chic has been a popular style since the mid-1990s. It’s all about finding the new and interesting ways to use old items. There is no one furniture style in shabby chic - the common denominators are old, interesting and comfortable.

An old dresser can be turned into craft storage, a changing table, an apothecary or console table. Parlay a few ideas into a unique project that suits your individual needs.

Savvy Home in Severna Park is a great place to find some of those old pieces in good condition with great prices. Then, you can let your creative juices flow.

Repurpose some of that old furniture. Adding a touch of the unexpected can add instant character to a room.

• Turn an old dresser into a sideboard for your dining room.
• Find an old table or desk and turn it into a kitchen island or side piece.
• An old television armoire can be distressed and offers great storage for extra dishes or linens, or can be a focal piece for an entry hall.
• Another great use for an old dresser is to remove a drawer and install some hardware so you have a great wine or liquor cabinet.
• A simple old bookshelf can be repurposed into a kitchen cart. Add some wheels and it becomes instantly and easily movable.

So come out and find some of those great bargains. Turn those old pieces into new and creative conversation pieces. Think outside the box, be prepared to put in some elbow grease, and give new life to worn and outdated furniture in unexpected ways.

Not sure how to get started? Stop by Savvy Home and check out the many refurbished pieces we have in the store – they are ready for you to start using.