Use Mod Podge to Transform Your Most Boring Piece of Furniture!

5 Materials
$10
2 Hours
Easy

Grab a piece of your favourite paper, a container of Mod Podge and turn the ugliest and most boring piece of furniture into a piece of art.

I forgot to take a picture of the top of this set of drawer so you will just have to trust me when I say it was B-A-D. It had water damage, the veneer was peeling up and even after I took an electric sander too it, it was still rough and uneven. My solution?

My solution? Grab some matte Mod Podge! I don't use Mod Podge very often. I actually find it a bit hard to work with. For this project though, I thought it might just be thing I needed.


I had picked up this vintage inspired paper a couple of years ago when I was in Pennsylvania ( see what else I found here!) to take a class with Marion Parsons (AKA Miss Mustard Seed! eeek! Want to see? Visit this post... ) and had such big plans for it but just never got to it. And guess what... turns out that was a good thing because it was the perfect size for the set of drawers. 


Before applying any Mod Podge, I made sure the paper fit the way I would like it in order to frame the picture on the top. I creased the edges once I had it in place to make putting it on later easier.

A thin layer of Mod Podge was applied. With the piece not being overly big, I decided to apply it on the entire top and work with the paper all at once. I wanted the paper to have a really aged look so I wasn't concerned about crinkles and tears.  

To finish off the edges, I ran a straight blade along the edge and sliced off the excess paper. Since I wasn't worry about the paper looking worn, I wasn't very careful and let the paper rip at will ;) 

Even though I don't use Mod Podge very often, I would definitely recommend this method when a piece just can't be fixed. 


Find some gorgeous paper, and let it become your new top.


To see more pictures and some tips on how to get a crinkly, old look to the paper, hop over to the original post on the Recreated Designs blog...

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Recreated Designs
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  • Phebe Phebe on Apr 03, 2019

    I’ve been putting off redoing a small piece using the mod podge, because I was afraid of doing it wrong and ruining my parents old letters to each other......any suggestions are appreciated. I would like a random, juxtaposing look on top! I’d pre-fit all pieces and take a photo for easy reproducing.....BUT my ? Is: should I individually place each letter using the mod podge or apply it to the entire top all at once???? Thanks for any help!

  • Lisa Lisa on Apr 27, 2019

    I did the same with a little stool I picked up for a dollar and after I was done sprayed it with a coat of polyurethane. See below

  • Karen Karen on Apr 27, 2019

    Did you use a top coat of something?

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  • Barbara Barbara on May 18, 2019

    That is gorgeous, really! The only negative I have is it is so beautiful on top that I would never want to set anything on it...i.e., an antique pitcher in basin!! Well done! (Maybe I will opt for an antique ring dish or book or a few small objects.) ;-)

    • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on May 23, 2019

      Thanks so much Barbara. The good thing with Mod Podge is that it protects the top so I don't have to worry about it marking or anything. You could use any kind of paper you like too... old books, maps, thin wrapping paper. So many possibilities ;) Have fun!

  • Julie Julie on May 17, 2020

    Yes definitely. I have some drawers belonging to my late Mum and I keep my ballet wear in it (My Mum was a ballet teacher) so will be looking for some ballet wallpaper.

    • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on May 18, 2020

      That sounds beautiful and such a great idea for keeping all of her things in one place. I'm sure you will be able to find some gorgeous ballet paper!

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