Dramatic Two-Day Furniture Makeovers

Boring bedside table? Rethink the run-of-the-mill furniture piece, which provides the perfect storage space for barware.

After cleaning and sanding the table, increase functionality by adding a second shelf. Give it a fresh feel with a coat of white interior semigloss latex paint, then finish the top with a water-base acrylic sealer for durability. Swap out the old knobs with a pretty glass pair, and make the unit mobile by adding casters to the legs.

Add extra oomph to the back of the bar with bold metallic wallpaper. A mounted wineglass holder adds easy storage and accessibility for glass stemware. 

Chic storage doesn't stop with the table's facade. Utilize a decorative coat hook screwed to the side of the unit to hang pretty patterned bar towels.

Don't feel limited by a piece of furniture's dated paint treatment. Beyond its lime green color, this sturdy end table offers an attractive, curvy design.

When stripping paint on old furniture, be prepared for a worn wood surface. If the original wood can't be recovered, opt for a fresh coat of paint. Interior semigloss latex paint in crisp white covers the table's legs and disguises damaged surface areas with the help of a charming stencil.

White paint applied over a floral stencil showcases a little wood grain and highlights the table's pretty lines while hiding its imperfections. Finish the surface with a water-base acrylic sealer for protection.

A boxy cabinet doesn't have to be boring. Reimagine the piece as a stylish storage space for shoes, purses, and jewelry.

Showcase accessories by removing the main cabinet door, and installing lower interior shelves. Custom shoe racks contain footwear above. To make them, screw 1/2-inch-diameter dowels into the left side of the cabinet, then affix with L-shape screws on the right side to preserve the outside of the cabinet. Repeat with a square dowel 2-1/2 inches below the round one. Complete the cabinet with a fresh coat of white paint, and highlight the drawer fronts with a soft shade of coral and new hardware. A trio of hooks screwed to the side adds quick-grab access for scarves.

A little paint goes a long way in transforming a beige lampshade from blah to beautiful. Be sure to give the base a little DIY love, too.

Punch up a plain lampshade using a triangle template cut from cardboard. Follow the cutout with bright orange paint, starting 1/4-inch from the shade's seam and working around. Use hot glue to line the lampshade's top and bottom with bias binding. Finally, give the base a boost with two coats of metallic antique nickel spray paint and strips of adhesive-backed cork.

A boring finish and lack of hardware give this dresser a drab appearance. Make the midcentury furniture piece feel modern with a sleek and sophisticated faux-granite surface.

After cleaning and sanding it, coat the body of the dresser with gray-beige paint. Choose a hue a few shades darker for the legs. Once the paint is dry, install simple, modern pulls and a contemporary countertop for a sophisticated furniture piece with a fresh face.

Create the look of a granite surface with Rust-Oleum's Countertop Transformations in Charcoal. The kit incorporates decorative chips that mirror the shiny speckles featured in the real deal.