How to decoupage a wardrobe?

The decoupage technique allows not only to add interesting notes to the interior, but also to give a second life to old furniture that has lost its attractiveness. Everyone can master this method of restoring furniture structures - there is nothing complicated here, but you can decorate a variety of objects. We will analyze how to make decoupage of the cabinet according to all the rules.

The basic solution is classic decoupage. All other types of decoration usually act as a base. In fact, the classic version is distinguished by the creation of beautiful applications on different bases. You can refer to such an interesting design on any wardrobes located in any room. It can be a living room, bedroom, kitchen or nursery - a harmonious solution can be chosen for any interior.

There is also a special artistic decoupage, which is a unique combination of different methods of decorating old furniture. This type makes it possible to achieve the appearance of a kind of solid canvas with smooth transitions from a given motive to the basic background.

There is a volumetric method of applying decoupage. Here they use materials of natural origin, woven rags, and a special paste.

Decorating of this type is used if there is a need to form spectacular three-dimensional images on furniture.

Many craftsmen prefer to make original deco patch on furniture. This is a type of decoration that uses paper.

Decopatch can form an interesting illusion of a beautiful pattern, assembled from separate patches.

In most cases, decoupage itself and cabinets decorated in this way belong to several popular stylistic trends.

• Provence... This is a delicate French style dominated by discreet pastel colors. Floral arrangements can be used as decoration for the cabinet.
• Victorian style. A pretentious style that attracts with its luxury and elegant look. Decoupage in this direction is considered rather difficult to execute, so it is not recommended for a beginner to do it so as not to spoil the furniture.
• Country... This is a good old country style with a predominance of simple and positive notes. The patterns here can be very different. Often they use a cage or natural / farm motives.
• Shabby chic. A stunning style with a light color on the furniture, diluted with craquelure (imitation of cracked paint). The edges of a cabinet in this style may be slightly worn, and it is permissible to glue images of flower arrangements of pink, coral, scarlet and other similar shades on the doors.
• Ethno... Decoupage in this style looks especially bright and expressive. Here, motives from the category of ethnic group are usually used. For example, it can be oriental patterns, images of Ancient Egypt and other similar elements.

Decoupage of the cabinet can be done by hand. Not only experienced craftsmen, but also beginners who have not done anything like this before, do a good job with such work.

We will analyze in stages how to decorate the wardrobe with decoupage with our own hands, using pictures on napkins (the most popular processing method).

• First, you need to prepare all the necessary components for the planned procedures: multi-layer napkins with drawings, PVA glue, brushes, varnish on acrylic, primer, sandpaper.
• Whichever cabinet you choose for revision - large or small, kitchen or in the hall - it must first be properly prepared. Be sure to scrupulously seal all chips and cracks with putty, if present. Wait for the materials to dry.
• Next, the surface of the furniture must be sanded with sandpaper.
• It is best to treat the entire surface with a primer mixture. Due to this procedure, the walls of the structure will become as even and neat as possible. Drawings from napkins will be much easier to lay down on such a basis.
• The motives found on multi-layer napkins can be used as decorative images for this furniture. Clippings from newspapers or magazines are also acceptable.
• Coat the cabinet surfaces with PVA glue. Stick the selected patterns onto the lubricated base. As soon as all the fragments are properly glued, they will need to be left for a while and not touched. During this period, the stickers will have time to dry.
• A fully dried and processed cabinet should be covered with a special acrylic varnish. The latter will need to be applied in several layers (preferably at least three). Due to this procedure, furniture parts and decor will be better protected from all kinds of damage.
• Many craftsmen, in the desire to make the surface of the renovated furniture more aesthetic and attractive, resort to waxing the base.

Cabinets, restored in the direction of shabby chic, look very interesting and attractive.

If the front of the cabinet is made of glass, then shabby chic will be the perfect solution. If you resort to such a technique, then here you also need to prepare the basis for further procedures.

After that, the furniture structure can be supplemented with an old photograph, or graceful patterns can be pasted on, corresponding to the main style of furniture that is present in the surrounding environment. It is permissible to leave the pasted pictures indefinitely so that they can dry to the end, and then coat them with a layer of acrylic varnish. So you can add cupboards or ordinary old wardrobes. If you do everything correctly and carefully, then in the end you can get very unusual and bright furniture, which will definitely not be left without the attention of guests.

Many users are interested in how to deal with a polished cabinet. Everything is simple here: first you need to sand it to erase the top shiny layer. If you leave it, the decor will stick very poorly and not so reliably. To give such furniture the effect of antiquity, you can completely paint it brown, and then process it with a wax candle. After that, you should treat the cabinet with snow-white paint on acrylic, then once again "walk" along the base with sandpaper.

There are many ways to decorate cabinets using decoupage technique. It is permissible to choose both flashy and expensive-looking, as well as modest rustic options. It all depends on the environment and the style in which it is sustained.

You will learn more about how to make do-it-yourself decoupage by watching the following video.

If you are planning to start decorating an old or too boring closet on your own, then you should familiarize yourself with with some helpful tips from experienced craftsmen.

• If the cabinet is made of wood, it is not necessary to wash it first. Acrylic paint will easily lay on such a base without it.
• It is advisable to buy specialized glue, designed specifically for decoupage. If you could not find such a product, you can use ordinary PVA glue.
• Do not cover the base with acrylic varnish. until the pasted pictures are completely dry.
• When decorating a cabinet of any model using wallpaper, it is recommended to soak the latter in advance for 30-40 seconds in clean water.
• If you are using pictures printed on office paper, then before starting work it is worth treating them from the back with an emery sheet. Thanks to such a simple trick, office paper will become much thinner, and it will be more "obedient" in work.
• When decorating furniture using decoupage technique, it is recommended to apply not one, but several layers of varnish. Thanks to such actions, it will be possible to achieve a more attractive effect. As a result, the furniture will look like a real painted canvas. Correctly selected paints will give the design clearer and more accurate contours.
• If the cabinet is not made of wood, but of a different material, for example, plastic or metal, then before starting the design it will need to be washed.
• When preparing furniture for further actions, you need to ensure that there was no dust or dirt on its surfaces - these inclusions will not allow to apply paint and varnish evenly and accurately.
• If you decorate such furniture with clippings from multi-layered napkins, then it is worth exercising the utmost care and caution. This is due to the fact that such elements are usually very thin and fragile - they can be accidentally torn or dented.
• If you do not want to decorate the wardrobe with drawings from napkins or wallpaper, then you can choose the pictures you like on the Internet, print them on a printer, and then correctly apply to furniture. Such solutions are often approached by people who prefer bolder options, which can emphasize their bright personality.
• It must be remembered that a wardrobe decorated using decoupage technique must necessarily harmoniously fit into the existing interior... He should not draw too much attention to himself, making everything around him barely noticeable.The ensemble must be performed in balance.

A light cabinet with glass inserts in the doors can be decorated with delicate floral motifs. The contours framing the glass can be made slightly worn, with an antiqued effect.

In the interior, designed in oriental style, a tall wardrobe with blind narrow doors decorated with Japanese motifs with hieroglyphs and lush pink and red flower buds will look gorgeous.

A large cream wardrobe with a craquelure effect and dark brown lines framed by the doors will be beautiful.