Painting/Updating a Bedroom Set

Question

I have a MDF, particleboard or heavy pressed wood bedroom set (pics 1, 2 & 3) that I'd like to update.  It's probably 13 years old but it's very well made, provides a great amount of storage and honestly, I can't afford to replace it.

I don't think I'm going to use the current bookcase headboard, it's not really comfortable to lean up against.  I'm thinking about making a different headboard; possibly a padded mantle style.  I'm also thinking about removing or cutting down the frame around the mattress (it's a little difficult to make the bed) but I don't know if the mattress will stay in place if I remove it. I'd also like to update all the vertical drawer pulls on the set.  The drawer pulls look like they're attached with heavy duty staples (pic 4) which I think I could remove and fill in with wood filler.  It has melamine edge banding; one small piece is peeling off (pic 5), please don't laugh at my scotch tape repair.  The tops and the sides are solid wood or the heavy pressed wood, not thin like the edge banding.  I have a couple of headboard side attachments I'm not using that I can practice on before trying to take on the whole set.

I've never done a project like this and definitely need some advice and ideas from all of you talented DIY experts.

Annie Doherty · Answer

Hi Laura I really like your bedroom furniture, painting it would change the look completely. I have used an American product I believe it's called bullseye it's a primer you can paint straight on to wood, vinyl etc, no need to sand down and once dry you can paint straight over it. I personally use an Eggshell as it gives such a professional finish. I find painting therapeutic and just take my time. I know in the US and Canada you have a far more comprehensive range of products, call paint also is very easy to use.I think you will be delighted with the project when finished. Is your bookcase/headboard separate from your bed or us it conjoined? As I'm sure you could get a Carpenter to make you something you would love from the existing unit and give it a paint job to match. Or could you put hardboard or something similar over the middle section after padding it and covering with fabric? It's not easy to tell from your picture, good luck with your project.

Annie Doherty · Answer

Hey Laura the primer I use is 1-2-3 Bullseye by a Company called Zinger and I found it's a brilliant product, no need to sand just wash furniture with sugar soap to ensure surfaces are clean and no grease. Then simply prime, you can use water to thin it down a bit and it doesn't dilute the efficiency. When dry I paint with an Eggshell paint (not sure what this finish is called in the U.S). Rust Oleum do a chalked paint which is very reasonable or you can make your own. It really depends what finish you like, both will look stylish and elegant. Personally I always never use any more than 3 shades of paint in a scheme, I tend to use pale soft greys, greens, blues and greigy colours and choose 1 colour for all furniture, doors, tables and woodwork to ensure your scheme flows from room to room. I'm using a Nordic greigy colour that I use on all my projects this allows you change furniture between rooms. The nearest colours to my British ones are a Company called Benjamin Moore USA, see what you think. Maybe glue down the peeling trim, wash all the woodwork and prime the set, once dry it will look so different you can then make a decision on your head board. It would be a shame not to re purpose your furniture as it has a lot of character, and gives you so much storage. Maybe you can reuse your bookcases for another area in your home, maybe post a photo and you will get so many great ideas from the Hometalk family. Once started you will want to re purpose it's very addictive in a such a positive way, rake care and good luck.

yes I'm sorry for my typo I did mean chalk paint, as an alternative. I have used

Annie Doherty · Answer

Hi Laura the recipe for chalk paint which I have mislaid, found this one on site 2 tablespoons of Plaster of Paris, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup of paint, eggshell, flat or satin, mix Plaster with water until smooth the add paint stirring well. There you have it. You can then compare the finish and see which you prefer, good luck.

Annie Doherty · Answer

Again apologies for typo the Company making Bullseye is Zinsser not Zinger sorry.

Annie Doherty · Answer

Hi Laura your welcome, everyone on this site helps and shares info, just as you will when you share your finished project. I can't wait to see the finished result. Also you can use all manners of items to decorate, I. e wrapping paper, postage stamps, maps, sheet music, paper napkins et al, these are all very cost effective ways to decorate with a great result just have fun and good luck with your projects. I'm glad i'm not the only one with the random typos lol.

Painting/Updating a Bedroom Set

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Painting/Updating a Bedroom Set

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