How to restore an old a sideboard

A retro piece of furniture that’s seen better days doesn’t have to end up on the scrap heap – you can transform it into a sensational new feature. Start with minor repairs then continue with a bright paint job. Add decorative panels, which you’ve cut out and sprayed using an on‐trend metallic paint. If you don’t have an old sideboard or cabinet already, head to your local op shop!

Step 2

If sideboard is coming apart, squirt glue into gaps. Push back together then predrill holes for nails. Hammer nails through join to hold while
glue dries. When dry, punch nail slightly below surface.

Step 3

Fill all gaps and nail holes with wood filler. Let set then sand all parts to remove existing varnish. Wipe with damp cloth to remove dust and let dry.

Step 4

Apply undercoat to all parts. Let dry then follow with 2 coats of Fishpond on sideboard, doors and drawer fronts, and Black on legs, allowing to dry after each coat.

Step 5

Place legs back on bottom of sideboard and use original screws to reattach.

Step 6

To create decorative panels for doors, transfer Decorative panel template (below) to plywood. Scale pattern to suit door sizes. Drill holes in areas of shape to be cut out, then put jigsaw blade through holes and follow lines to cut out shape. Sand cut edges and faces of panels smooth.

Step 7

Apply undercoat to panels and let dry. Also apply undercoat to decorative panels removed from drawer fronts. Then spray all panels with Copper Rose – apply several thin coats rather than a thick coat, as paint will run, letting dry between coats. To paint handles, apply metal primer and let dry. Follow with spray paint in same finish as panels.

Step 8

Attach all decorative panels to door and drawer fronts using 20mm nails.

Step 9

Use original screws to reattach handles to doors.

Step 10

Reattach doors and slide drawers into sideboard.