Course description

Got a tired chest of drawers, a bargain from a charity shop or a piece someone was about to throw away? This course shows you, step by step, how to turn second-hand furniture into something you'll be proud to use, give or sell: choosing the right piece, preparing it properly, painting it smoothly, protecting the finish and adding your own touches, safely and without expensive tools.

It's a full course, not a list of tips. There are 10 sections and 50 written lessons, each with a practical task. You follow a complete beginner in Somerset through six pieces over six months, from a £12 bedside table to a dresser with old lead paint, with every hour, every cost and every mistake along the way. Every section has a worksheet, model answers, a cheat sheet and ready-to-use checklists, planners and templates.

What you'll learn

• Getting started: what upcycling is, choosing a first piece, a safe workspace and a starter toolkit.
• Finding and assessing furniture: where to look, what to check before you buy, solid wood, veneer or laminate, old paint and lead, and budgeting.
• Preparation: cleaning and degreasing, sanding, removing old finishes and choosing the right primer.
• Painting furniture: choosing paint, getting a smooth coat, painting in the right order and painting laminate.
• Finishes and protection: wax, varnish, curing time, distressing and two-tone effects.
• Hardware and small repairs: handles and knobs, loose joints, sticking drawers and veneer chips.
• Decorative techniques: stencilling, decoupage, lining drawers and repurposing a piece.
• Restoring wood and simple upholstery: reviving a good finish, oils and stains, and re-covering a drop-in seat.
• Costs, selling and sustainability: keeping records, pricing, photographing, selling safely and dealing with leftover paint.

The final project

You'll choose a piece of your own, write a brief, plan the makeover with a materials list, budget and timeline, record each session and review the finished piece. A project brief, a makeover plan workbook and a self-check list are included.

Who this course is for

• Complete beginners who want to update furniture they already own.
• Anyone who loves second-hand finds and wants to make them last.
• People who'd like to sell the odd upcycled piece at a market or online.

How the course works

Read each lesson, then do the practical task using the checklists and planners in the practice pack. Safety notes for dust, chemicals, old paint and lifting are built into the lessons where you need them. You keep lifetime access, so you can come back for each new piece.

What will I learn?

• Find second-hand furniture and check it before you buy, including what it's made of
• Spot old paint that may contain lead and know what to do about it
• Clean, repair, sand and prime a piece properly so paint lasts
• Choose the right paint and apply smooth, even coats by brush or roller
• Protect your work with wax, varnish or oil, and let it cure before use
• Replace handles and knobs, fix loose joints, sticking drawers and veneer chips
• Add stencils, decoupage and other decorative touches, and re-cover a drop-in seat
• Cost, price, photograph and sell a piece, and deal with leftover paint responsibly

Frequently asked questions