The kids grow up, and the children's bedroom becomes outdated. Renew those pieces of furniture that you can still use with a coat of paint. Paint is the easiest way to rejuvenate any piece of furniture, especially children's furniture. Here are four ideas to completely transform their appearance: make a gradient of tones, update their color with spray paint, add stenciled motifs with stencils and, finally, modernize them with a dip painting effect. Furniture with gradient tones. If the children's room has old furniture, such as the classic honey-colored wooden ones, which have gone totally out of fashion, use chalk paint to renovate them. It is so covering that it is not necessary to sand previously or give a coat of sealer. Instead, wipe them with a cloth and rubbing alcohol and then paint over the original surface; the result is excellent, especially if you opt for a clear finish. In this example, we have used Annie Sloan's chalk paint, one of the highest quality paints available. First, we painted the structure white and, once dry, we made the gradient on the drawers.
This is how it is done. To make the gradient, paint first with the pure color (Provence) without mixing it with white. The darker shades should go on the lower part of the furniture, as they add more visual weight. For the rest, mix the paint in this way: deposit a little of the pure color in an empty can and add a splash of white. Stir well and apply the mixture to the next drawer. Little by little, add more white and paint drawers until you reach the top drawer. The technique is easy, and the result is magnificent. Next, apply different colors with spray paint. A metal locker, or any other piece of furniture made of this material, looks perfect in a children's room if it is decorated with paint of various colors. For 0metal, there are plenty of specific products, whether it is iron, stainless steel, or similar. The finishes can be glossy or satin, with an extra smooth texture or a hammered look (as if imitating hammering). Most enamels for metal are already formulated to prevent oxidation, so there is no need to give any protector or primer beforehand. There is also the possibility that the same product can be applied on different surfaces, such as wood.
Here's how it's done. The spray format is very convenient, as it covers perfectly, is applied quickly, and dries in a short time. Spray about 20-30 cm from the furniture and with the container placed vertically, so no tears are left on the surfaces. As with a spray, it is easy to splash; protect both the areas of the piece that you do not want to color with masking tape and all the space around where you will paint with plastic and paper. And, if possible, do it in an outdoor place because the smell is quite strong. In half an hour, you will have your furniture ready. Next, decorate with letters or messages. This is perhaps the simplest of the four techniques. It is to print (or stencil) words, numbers, or drawings on the bottom of the furniture with paint of a different color than the rest of its surface. You will need a stencil, which can be purchased in craft stores and DIY centers. You can also make it yourself.
This is how it is done. The template can be made on paper, cardboard, or acetate sheet. The latter is the best option, as it will not spoil and you can reuse it if you want. The motif (drawings, letters, numbers) is easy to find on the Internet. Just put "stencil templates" in the search engine and find hundreds of models. Enlarge the stencil to the desired size, print it out, and trace it on the acetate sheet with an indelible ink marker. Then cut out the letters with a cutter, emptying the inside. Fix the stencil to the surface of the furniture you are going to decorate and with a stencil brush, a roller, or simply a sponge, paint the motif in the desired color on the table with small taps. When you finish, lift the stencil, and the sign will be stamped.
Submerged effect or dip painting. The furniture with legs looks great with this very easy technique, which gives a completely different air to the decoration of a children's bedroom. What is the submerged effect? It consists of painting in a different color the final end of the legs of the furniture, previously protecting the rest, which has been given a finish in another tone. It is very simple. This is how it is done. First, sand the chair (or the furniture in question) with fine-grit abrasive paper. Clean the dust and apply a sealer to ensure good adhesion of the paint. Use a protective primer and a water-based enamel, both for the base color of the furniture and for the submerged effect. Apply two coats of paint to the entire piece of furniture, including the legs, and let dry in between. Measure how high up the legs you want the effect to go and put masking tape over the marked spot. You will need to sand again the part you are going to paint and clean the dust. Apply the second color, the one on the legs. Let the first coat dry before applying a second coat. When both are dry, carefully remove the masking tape: the other color will be perfectly marked.