Dramatic Two-Day Furniture Makeovers

Before: Non-Descript Table

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

After: Bar Cart Reboot

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.

Organized Elegance

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.

Fashionable Functionality

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.

Simple Nightstand Makeover

A splash of colorful paint elevates even the most so-so nightstand. See how to update the piece of furniture with a little something extra.

Before: Paint from the Past

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.

After: Table Transformation

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.

Coming Up Roses

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.

How to Stencil

Use a stencil to bring color and pattern into your space without the mess of wallpaper. This step-by-step video shows the secret to creating the perfect design every time.

Before: Cookie-Cutter Cabinet

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

After: Shoe Showpiece

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.

Before: Lackluster Lighting

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.

After: Lamp Revamp

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.

Before: Dull Dresser

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.

• Top Makeovers for a Plain Dresser

After: Neat and Neutral

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.

Fabulous Faux Granite

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.