Repurposing Furniture

**forHISglory** · 08-16-2009, 10:35 PM

We sold our home and are moving to a slightly smaller home. This downsizing means that some of our furniture won't fit. And the way the new home is configured, the living areas are larger than our current living areas, but the bedrooms are smaller than our current bedrooms. Thus we have extra bedroom furniture, but not enough living room/family room furniture.

So we've been thinking about how to use what we have in different ways. I have a bureau type of dresser in our bedroom that is beautiful. It won't fit in the bedroom, so we are going to put it in the dining room as a buffet, and use the drawers for napkins, placemats, tablecloths, serving pieces, etc. What previously held socks and underwear gets a whole new use!

We also have a cedar chest in the bedroom that was at the foot of the bed. That won't fit in the new bedroom, but we think it will make a nice coffee table in the family room at the new house.

Have you ever switched furniture around, using pieces in different rooms and for different purposes?

**mauimagic** · 08-16-2009, 10:42 PM

Absolutely and have been thrilled with the results. Your ideas sound great - they are frugal - and using furniture you already love!!

When does your actual move take place?

**forHISglory** · 08-16-2009, 11:04 PM

We move in about 3 weeks.

Here's another idea we are kicking around. There is space in the basement to do scrapbooking and crafts. We are thinking of taking a shop table that my husband used in the garage, and making it a scrapbook table.

**mauimagic** · 08-16-2009, 11:12 PM

What a great idea!! you'll be up and ready to craft again in no time!!

**shoiji** · 08-17-2009, 08:36 AM

All your ideas sound great. Any unused bureaus or bookcases will work great in that craft room also. Repurposing will definately save you money.

I went from a two bedroom to a one bedroom apartment. I am still letting go of furniture. It is amazing how much more room you end up with.

**Brat** · 08-17-2009, 11:38 AM

These iteas work great..I went from a 4 bedroom to a 1 bedroom and the only furniture that I left behind was 2 full size office desks and 1 bed. so it is can be done..

**Texasgirl** · 08-17-2009, 12:31 PM

You have some great ideas.

**2ndGenGranola** · 08-17-2009, 06:44 PM

I've done the dresser as a buffet. Mine has a huge mirror. At Christmas, I put candles in front of it and they reflected in the mirror. I loved it in the dining room.

Right now I have a porch bench in my living room. My Dad made it and I refinished it when it came here. I didn't want it to get weathered anymore so I used it for a while at the kitchen table so the kids could sit. They are bigger now so I moved it into the living room and put a little coffee table in front to play games on or watch TV.

**Nana2two** · 08-18-2009, 12:40 AM

Im always switch furniture around, Up and down stairs..Told hubby i ned to get all my fall stuff out. since im having 2 surgeries in september i will in no mood to decorate.

**Lora88** · 08-18-2009, 08:50 AM

Thanks so much for the ideas ForHisGlory I have some peices of my moms that I was going to give away but now I can think of ways to use them I needed to think out of the box and didnt till your post.

**forHISglory** · 08-18-2009, 10:48 AM

Here's another thought: I have a credenza that won't fit where the desk will be placed. It's meant to be a part of the desk, but there just isn't room. So I'm moving it to a covered porch to use as a plant table. I think it will fit just fine there and the composition will work well with plants and the water that sometimes spills.

I've really enjoyed all your ideas. Let's keep on inspiring each other!