Furniture decoupage is back at the peak of popularity. Ready-made design projects demonstrate the incredible charm that reanimated furnishings bring.
Using inexpensive materials, you can also give uniqueness to the typical facade of a countertop, cabinet, chest of drawers or other furniture surface. All you need is imagination and a few free hours.
What is decoupage and how to do it
Decoupage is a method of decorating by gluing cut-out paper or textile images onto a finished base. The finished work is fixed with varnish. The origins of this type of applied art date back to the Middle Ages, and the technique gained high recognition at the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The real popularity among the wider population such applications received in England in the Victorian era. Throughout its history, decoupage has become a pleasant hobby for royalty and artists.Today, thanks to a wide range of materials, there are a great many methods for making such a decor. We will consider the classic version, which is suitable for decorating pieces of furniture.
Before starting work, you need to choose the image that you want to apply to the surface of the furniture. Napkins, drawings on paper or various prints on wallpaper and fabric are suitable. You can purchase ready-made pictures, but there is a more rational way - print the most successful options on the printer. The good thing about this approach is that you are given a really wide selection of beautiful prints on the Internet, as well as the ability to duplicate the ornament. It is most convenient to use printouts made on a laser printer. Such ink will not spread from glue or varnish.
Arm yourself with adhesive materials (special decoupage glue or ordinary PVA), as well as acrylic varnish, brushes and a regular sponge.
The next step is to prepare the surface of the furniture. If it is varnished or painted, then process it with fine or medium sandpaper. Depending on the condition of the substrate, putty or furniture wax may be required to repair cracks, chips, or deep abrasions. Having prepared a smooth coating, cover it with a colorless acrylic varnish. If the furniture is dark, then it is better to repaint it in lighter colors.
Apply glue and place the cut out images in the required places. When the glue is completely dry over the entire area, again cover the entire composition with a clear acrylic varnish. If a napkin was chosen as the material, then use only its top layer. Again, so that it does not lose contrast, it is better to make the base surface light.
To get the most vivid picture, toned it with multi-colored paints. If you want to give the product an artificial wear for the effect of antiquity, then you should wax it, paint it and sand it. By varying the grain size of the sanding paper, abrasions of various depths can be obtained.
Decoupage chairs
There can be many reasons for transforming outdated or brand new chairs. Perhaps you need to adapt them to a single design or fix some points in the design of the piece of furniture itself. It may also be that you want to restore chairs from your grandmother's collection or purchased second-hand items. In any case, it is possible, and sometimes even necessary, to give a product a new sound and meaning. In which direction should you move:- A win-win option is to impose a floral print. Such decorative elements will be appropriate both as a flower stand and in the romantic interior of the room;
- For outdoor dining or relaxing with a cup of tea on a warm day, make decoupage drawings of fruits and vegetables - it will come out very cute and natural;
- For chairs in a classic, upholstered colonial design, add embellishment to match the textiles. It is best to take a picture in the Victorian style;
- In addition to napkins, use newspapers and magazines. A bright man-made collage will complement the pop art style.
If the four-legged object is located near another wooden element, try converting it as well. This way you will create a small composition.
Decorated chairs are sure to look just great in the garden or indoors, decorated in country style, shabby chic, pop art and even traditional decor.
Decoupage chest of drawers
Small chests of drawers are an indispensable thing for storing various small things. In addition to their direct functional purpose, they can become a beautiful decor for any part of the house, fitting into a variety of thematic concepts.For a modern interior, an ordinary rectangular chest of drawers, complemented by black and white images of succulents or newspaper clippings, seals, which will give a slight touch of antiquity, will come in handy.
Plant motifs on a white background will help to freshen up the atmosphere of the hall and the hallway. Pick up pictures with a herbarium, plants in pots with names, or draw branches yourself, and “plant” birds on them using the decoupage method.
In the girl's children's room, you can make a decoration with cute flowers, ladybugs, butterflies in pastel colors of pink, blue, green, yellow. By the way, a cheerful print with dancing chanterelles on a canvas of restrained color can decorate not only a nursery, but also any other room.
If the school is left behind, and geographical maps are left in your hands, do not rush to throw them away! Cover the chest of drawers with light paint, and paste over the drawers themselves with cards. The same can be done with musical notation.
Decoupage table
A little boring table that has served you faithfully for several years or even decades should not be thrown away. Better give him a new life by decorating in the style of shabby chic or Provence.First, cover the furniture with light paint, and then apply the appropriate color images. Alternatively, make a small set of a chair and a table for a Provence-themed garden: depict a bunch of lavender branches surrounded by a lilac-colored cage. In the yard, a white table with cheerful sunflowers will also look great.
Shabby chic is done in bleached colors, with the use of scenes of cute roses, birds, angels. It is better to blur the contours of the drawings, and for an interesting texture, use craquelure varnish.
Decorate the coffee table with notes, flowers, letters in calligraphic handwriting. If you are striving for conciseness, decorate with one or two colors. For example, take a geometric wallpaper pattern and place it under glass, or apply a subtle dark gray pattern on a white background.
In the nursery, you can put a small table and a chair in a pleasant blue color with pictures of bears, balloons and beach houses.
By the way, very interesting patterns come out of used tulle, lace napkins. Such a composition will decorate the kitchen in a country theme.
Decoupage beds
The bed is the main element of the bedroom, it is she who sets the rhythm and the general vector for the whole room. Therefore, making out the bed, it is worth remembering that the appearance of the remaining details will directly depend on the style you choose.The best solution would be to decorate the head of the bed - it is the first thing that catches your eye when you enter the bedroom. It can be decorated with various patterns or inscriptions. Flowers or animals are perfect for cribs. A great idea is to decorate the headboard with pieces of fabric. It’s great if they are matched to the main colors of your interior.
The back can be decorated completely or partially. In general, images can be anything, the main thing is that they rhyme with the general concept of the home. If the finished look of the headboard will be very different from the image of the whole bed, just decorate the legs.
Please note that beds are often polished. In this case, before starting work, treat the surface with sandpaper.
Decoupage cabinet, sideboard
Thanks to simple and unpretentious ideas, you can transform your wardrobe, sideboard or cabinets for the kitchen, bathroom beyond recognition in just a few steps. Use the leftover wallpaper - stick it on the sides or doors and enjoy a fresh and bright look. There is another way to decorate with wallpaper. Its difference lies only in the fact that it is necessary to paste over the planes inside the product. Such decor will expand the interior space and will delight with its appearance every time the doors are opened.If you have a penchant for painting, then be sure to apply these skills - complete the applications with acrylic paints. Even the most dull and nondescript closet can become a highlight of the interior.
To create a Provence style decor, you only need a few cards or beautiful napkins. Apply the final touches with acrylic paints, and the unique furniture is ready.
By the way, ornaments do not have to be small. Oversized items are just great for decorating with large images. The black and white wall decoration along with the wallpaper on the closet in the same color scheme is a great composition!
Furniture decoupage - beautiful photo ideas
In the selection of photos below, you can see even more interesting ideas for decoupage furniture with your own hands. The gallery includes decorated items for the garden, hallway, kitchen, bedroom, living room and nursery. Happy viewing!
About a decade ago, the French word "decoupage" was completely unfamiliar to most. And today it is not just a design technique - it is a hobby of many people of any age from different parts of Europe. The uniqueness of the technique is that, without knowing how to draw at all, it can be used to create unique drawings on furniture, dishes, and some haberdashery items.
Decoupage furniture photo, before and after
Surely many have seen beautiful furniture depicting flowers, cute animals or cute kids. In most cases, today the decoration of such furniture is not made by professional artists - employees of furniture companies, but by craftsmen and craftswomen "from the people". It's hard to believe, but these old tables and cabinets turn into original interior items in a few hours at home - with the help of ordinary PVA glue, varnish, paint and a few beautiful napkins.
Decoupage furniture for beginners:
essence of furniture decoupage
Furniture decoupage technique is extremely simple and accessible to everyone. It is based on attaching (gluing) a picture, ornament or any pattern to the surface of the furniture. The finished decor is varnished. In some cases, strokes of paint, glitters (sparkles) or other decorative elements are used for additional effects. Using this technique, you can not only decorate new furniture, but also update the old one, for example, by masking damaged areas of the table or chair surface under the pictures.
furniture decoupage materials
First of all, pictures or drawings are needed for furniture decoupage. They are cut with scissors most often from napkins or special decoupage cards. However, some craftsmen find images for decorating furniture on candy wrappers, in books, on postcards, and even on wallpaper. The main thing is that the material is of appropriate quality and can be processed with glue.
You will also need glue (it is better to take a special one for decoupage, but ordinary PVA is also suitable), varnish (glossy, matte or semi-gloss is suitable). In some cases, you can use paints (preferably acrylic) and colored paper.
To treat the surfaces of old furniture, a degreasing liquid is also needed.
tools
For furniture decoupage, most likely, you will need several scissors: medium-sized and small, the size of manicure ones (for small items on napkins and pictures). This tool must be sharp enough. You can use special decoupage scissors, but this is not necessary.
You will also need one or more brushes - they will be used to apply paint and varnish. The size of these tools is directly proportional to the scale of the drawing.
If we are talking about updating old furniture, then you definitely need to prepare a skin for surface treatment. In some cases, a sponge and a spray bottle will come in handy.
short instruction
1. The surface of the furniture is thoroughly cleaned and degreased.
3. Paint is applied with a brush, sponge or spray gun.
4. When the paint has dried, the necessary elements are cut out from the workpiece (picture or top napkin).
5. The drawing is laid out on the selected surface of the furniture, smoothed with a brush with glue.
6. After drying, varnish or decoupage varnish-glue is applied to the decor.
1. Napkins often deform when pasted. If they are pre-ironed with an iron until the perforation disappears, it will be much easier to keep the pattern smooth and solid.
2. Decoupage films (transfer decoupage cards) will help make the drawing more natural. Due to the thickness of only 15-20 microns, they can be used to ensure that the edges of the pattern, even after applying the varnish layer, remain invisible.
3. To create a haze effect (the technique of the so-called “smoky” decoupage), you can scrape off the pastel with a blade and after applying the varnish (only matte!) Slightly shade the shavings of the selected color with a sponge. Then cover the haze with another layer of varnish.
4. The idea to decorate the surface of the kitchen table using decoupage technique is not the best. The most durable varnish will not withstand knife blows for a long time, as well as constant contact with hot objects. Reverse decoupage is ideal for countertops - the pattern on the reverse side of the surface will remain for many years.
surface preparation for decoupage
There is a standard, classic procedure for preparing a surface for decoupage: cleaning, degreasing, leveling, priming. However, the features of this process can differ significantly depending on the material from which the decorated product is made, its quality and novelty. After all, the blanks of new furniture in some cases simply need to be primed. But if we are talking about updating old things, covered, for example, with peeling varnish, then the master will have to work hard before proceeding to the most pleasant, creative stage of furniture design.
Most often, tables, chairs, cabinets and other interior items decorated using decoupage technique are made of wood. The surface of such products is degreased and cleaned by wiping with cotton wool soaked in alcohol. If there are defects on the surface in the form of cracks or chips, they must be filled with acrylic putty, and sanded after it dries. The same cotton wool soaked in alcohol will help remove dust from the surface left after sanding.
It is impossible to apply decor on furniture with a cracked surface. First of all, you need to carefully remove a layer of old paint. Then it should be cleaned and polished using sandpaper of medium, and after fine grit. To make the surface perfectly smooth, you can apply a layer of acrylic varnish.
Metal furniture can also be revived using the decoupage technique. A layer of varnish or paint in this case is pre-cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper. And before applying paint or primer, the surface must be degreased.
If, most often, before applying decoupage, wooden surfaces are made smooth, then furniture made of plastic and plastic, on the contrary, is sometimes lightly sanded to give a rough effect. And in this case, you can not do without degreasing.
Furniture decoupage technique
Decoupage attracts many craftsmen and craftswomen with its simplicity, and at the same time with great opportunities for creativity.
Decoupage is of two types:
1. Direct means drawing a pattern on a pre-prepared surface. If we are talking about a tree, the preparation consists in sanding and priming. Plastic furniture is also degreased with alcohol. Fabric surfaces, if necessary, are washed and ironed.
2. The reverse method is used on transparent (eg glass or plastic) surfaces. In this case, on the contrary, the drawing is first glued and decorated, then, if necessary, a primer and varnish are applied.
Decoupage furniture video
Napkins for decoupage, styles
- Shabby chic. Delicate flowers and birds in warm light colors, with a slight worn flair or a hint of retro - this is already a classic of the genre. Such motifs can decorate the furniture in the nursery and in the kitchen, in the bedroom and in the living room. Such beauty in pastel colors looks much more spectacular on a rather light background, slightly different in tone.
2. Drawings in the Gzhel technique look very impressive on furniture made of natural wood in light shades of yellow, as well as ivory.
3. Provence style is especially popular among decoupage lovers. Napkins with such motifs are suitable for decorating furniture placed in the kitchen, nursery, bedroom and living room.
4. Style "Simple City" literally translates as "simple city." But who would have known before that the motifs of urban landscapes can be made so refined and sophisticated! Napkins "Paris" are a vivid example of a style that is actively used in furniture design, making the interior more comfortable and original.
5. Victorian decoupage is great for rooms with antique chairs and beds, fabric wallpaper or awnings on the windows.
6. Decoupage in a romantic style. It is a bit like shabby chic, but the motifs are not aged, they are distinguished by a kind of tenderness and lightness.
7. Vintage style. Toddlers in retro clothes, postage stamps and other elements reminiscent of the past
8. Napkins in the style of "naturalism". The most natural plant, floral elements, dew drops on the leaves and real-looking houses - everything is as it is, without embellishing the artist.
9. Animalism is a fairly popular style in decoupage. Natural and fabulous birds, flying horses with a developing mane, shaggy lions and bright copper chanterelles... Such motifs seem to be asking for a nursery, but in fact they are great for a kitchen, a corridor, a living room.
10. Indian style. National motifs are always a great idea for furniture design and interior decor in general. So why not decorate a table, chair or cabinet with Indian elephants, known to everyone from tea boxes?
Do-it-yourself furniture decoupage with napkins step by step with a photo
For decoupage, napkins in several layers are best suited. As a rule, only the top layer with a pattern is used.
1. The selected patterns are cut out from the top layer of napkins.
You can also carefully tear out the drawings along the contour, trying not to damage the edge.
To work, you will need brushes of different sizes, because both small and large napkin motifs are used.
2. The drawing is applied to a previously prepared and primed surface and smeared with glue on top with a brush (it is best to use special decoupage glue, but PVA diluted half with water is also suitable).
3. When the drawing is dry, the surface is varnished.
Decoupage furniture in Provence style
Napkins with twigs, flowerpots and bouquets of lavender - the main symbols of the Provence style - can be easily found on sale today. Using them, you can create furniture with a delicate design.
An interesting idea is to use several types of napkins, connecting the motifs with soft smooth transitions.
Provence style is great for children's furniture.
But, of course, the ideal place for provincial motives is the kitchen.
Master class decoupage furniture in Provence style
You can decorate furniture in the Provence style using the decoupage technique.
1. The surface of the selected piece of furniture is sanded, the chips are smeared with putty.
2. With a piece of foam rubber, a white acrylic primer is rubbed over the entire surface.
3. After drying, the surface is sanded again with sandpaper until smooth.
4. Acrylic paint of the selected color (for example, purple, brown, azure, turquoise) is evenly applied to the surface, then dried (if a hair dryer is not used, the natural drying time is about two hours).
5. Wax candles lightly wipe the edges and corners - this creates the effect of aging.
6. A thin and even layer of white acrylic is applied to the surface with a brush.
7. After natural drying (it is not recommended to use a hot hair dryer - it can melt the wax), aging is carried out: the wax application areas are thinned with sandpaper slightly moistened with water until an azure or turquoise color begins to appear from under them. The paint removed from the surface must be immediately wiped with a napkin. After the surface is dried.
8. For this style, napkins with lavender, with any herbs or elements of garden decor are selected.
9. The selected elements are cut out or torn out of the top layer of the napkin, applied to the surface of the product and smeared with a brush with decoupage glue or PVA diluted with water.
10. To make the drawing shabby and translucent, it is again treated with sandpaper.
11. The edges of the product can be lightly treated with brown acrylic to complete the aging. The product is ready!
Decoupage furniture wallpaper
When it comes to large furniture, with the help of small napkins and drawings, only small fragments of the surface can be decorated. And here the pieces of wallpaper left after the repair come in handy - they can decorate the doors of cabinets and chests of drawers, the surfaces of chairs and tables, drawers.
Decoupage of furniture with fabric
Decoupage of furniture with a cloth really looks luxurious.
For lovers of simplicity, you can also find a suitable material.
Various materials are used for decoration - from simple chintz to satin and silk. Preference is given to fabrics with a smooth inner surface - it is easiest to glue.
Decoupage furniture in shabby chic style
Decoupage upholstered furniture
For upholstered furniture, decoupage with a cloth is perfect.
By the way, you can decoupage not only soft elements, but also legs, doors, backs.
Decoupage of laminated furniture, features
There is nothing complicated in working with a laminated surface. Like plastic, it must first be degreased with alcohol or another special agent.
Wallpaper adheres perfectly to a smooth laminated surface.
Decoupage of polished furniture, photo
It is best to remove the old polish, then, before priming, sand the surface and cover up the cracks.
You can also apply PVA glue to the polish, and after drying, paint over with acrylic paint.
Decoupage of old furniture, before and after photos
Decoupage of kitchen furniture, photos before and after
Decoupage furniture ideas
When decoupage with wallpaper, you can combine several types of patterns that are similar in color or ornament.
Complex plots draw attention to the furniture, create accents in the interior.
If the master knows how to draw, decoupage can be supplemented with spectacular strokes using acrylic paints.
Decoupage of children's furniture
For decoupage of children's furniture, you can use wallpaper, fabric or napkins with bright ornaments, with images of dolls, animals, flowers or dishes.
The best places to place decoupage drawings are the backs of chairs and beds, tables and cabinets.
Decoupage of furniture with craquelure, photo
The craquelure effect is a set of small cracks in the paint that give the surface a special beauty.
Most often, the effect is applied to the background, and the drawing itself remains without small cracks.
But sometimes the craquelure also affects the drawing itself, giving the impression that the picture is cracked or consists of small pebbles.
Craquelure effect, what techniques are used for decoupage craquelure
The craquelure effect creates very interesting effects on surfaces, and the process of its creation is also peculiar.
If there is no special varnish for craquelure, you can use gelatin, PVA glue, egg yolk or table vinegar. All these products, applied to a fresh first coat of paint, will lead to the formation of artistic cracks on the second. True, with such means as gelatin, the desired effect is not always obtained the first time.
Craquelure can be one-step (one-component) and two-step (two-component). The second, simply put, is created using two jars, not one. To make the cracks more visible, they are shown with special grouts.
How to give furniture an antique look with decoupage, tips and secrets
There are some of the most popular aging methods:
1. Craquelure.
2. Spray.
3. Artificial aging by scuffing.
4. Patination.
5. Brushing.
6. Dry brush effect.
The effect of brushing is very interesting - for it, a wooden product is covered with stain, then soft fibers are removed from the top layer. Interestingly, strong tea or coffee can also be used to create this effect.
Patina is a greenish-brown coating that covers copper and bronze products after oxidation. Artificially, this effect can be created using acrylic or wax.
Exquisite spraying can also be done very simply - for example, using a massage comb.
The dry brush effect is also very simple. Paint is drawn onto a flat synthetic brush, then the brush is rubbed with paper. The color is applied neatly, without rubbing. The main secret is a minimum of paint!
In craquelure - a special beauty of vintage furniture. But, in order not to risk it, it is better to apply a decoupage pattern on a regular primed surface, without craquelure varnish.
DIY craquelure master class
To create the effect of craquelure, it is best to use craquelure varnish. The process is very simple and interesting, because the result is often unexpected - it is impossible to predict the size and unique pattern of cracks.
1. The surface of the furniture is covered with dark-colored acrylic paint (the one that should appear from under the cracks).
2. With a brush or sponge, craquelure varnish is carefully and evenly applied.
3. Paint of the main color is applied over the varnish. After the natural drying of the paint, decorative cracks form in the places where the varnish is applied.
Decoupage of a chest of drawers, step by step with a photo
- The old chest of drawers is sanded, then a layer of dark paint (black, blue, rich ocher) is applied. Drying out.
- The edges of the boxes, the space near all corners are carefully rubbed with a piece of wax or a candle.
- Next, a layer of white paint or ivory is applied. When the paint is slightly dry, the places where the wax is applied are sanded, the removed paint is quickly erased with a piece of clean foam rubber.
- Selected elements are cut out of decoupage cards.
- Drawings are applied to the surface and wiped from above with a brush dipped in a mixture of PVA and water (1: 1).
- When the drawings are dry, varnish is applied to the surface.
Decoupage chair Provence style
Chairs with flowers, smoky or light aging effects are exactly what you need to create a romantic atmosphere of the provincial French hinterland.
Decoupage on fabric is perhaps the ideal option for a Provence bedroom.
Decoupage bedroom Victorian style
Skillfully incorporating modern decoupage into a luxurious and pompous Victorian bedroom is a real art. A stylized floral pattern, very carefully applied to the fabric surface of the furniture and other decorative elements, will emphasize the special atmosphere.
Pillows, armchairs, stools, tables, ottomans, cabinets, and picture chests sometimes add a modern touch to a Victorian interior without spoiling it.
You can decorate furniture with pages from comics - such decoupage is much easier and cheaper than tissue paper.
Decoupage of a girl's children's room
Using themed pictures and napkins, you can decorate furniture in a fabulous style. Butterflies, elves, animals with kind faces will appeal to many girls.
Everything for decoupage with Aliexpress
It is not always possible for craftswomen to find the necessary goods for decoupage in stores (even specialized ones). It is especially difficult for those who live in a small town or village. But nowadays, thanks to the Internet, the phrases “scarce goods” and “out of stock” are a thing of the past. For example, on the site you can order napkins for every taste and accessories for decoupage.
As you can see, decoupage is a fairly simple technique, but to get special effects or create unusual styles, you will need artistic taste, special materials, and special knowledge. The main thing is to start, and then the creative process will captivate and give everyone the opportunity to show their abilities and talents!
Many people are accustomed to perceive furniture as something permanent and not subject to change ... Pieces of furniture, as a rule, are bought rarely and expect to use them for a long time. And this is justified: the furniture is not cheap, this part of the interior is quite heavy and it is simply difficult to perform any manipulations with it. What to do if new funds for the purchase are not expected, but you really want to update the situation? You can try to make skillful hands and decorate old furniture with decoupage.
A bit about the history of decoupage
The French word "decoupage" is translated into Russian as "cutting". The decoupage technique entered our lives most fully in the 20th century, but the origins of this decorative art go back to the distant 12th century, and not French history, but China. In this country, Chinese poor people decorated their homes with carved fragments.
References to the decoration of furniture with cut-out paper pictures can be found in historical documents in Germany and Poland. They date back to the 15th century.
The highest point of decoupage creativity is celebrated in Europe in the 17th century. It was at this time that furniture imported from China and Japan with beautiful inlay became popular. But such furniture was not affordable for many who wanted to buy it, and such items were brought in limited quantities.
It was then that the mahogany experts from Venice showed ingenuity and a little cunning. They simply cut out oriental motifs from paper and pasted them onto furniture surfaces, covering them with a multi-layered amount of varnish. Cabinetmakers had to apply 30-40 layers of varnish in order to achieve an analogy with furniture brought from eastern countries.
Local Venetian craftsmen valued their "masterpieces" much cheaper, which is why they were bought up more readily.
Following the furniture, such imitation pictures began to be glued on the walls and ceilings of dwellings. Basically, this was done by people of low income, trying to follow the fashion in the interiors of wealthy people.
Gradually, decoupage began to win the hearts of ladies more and turned into a means of decorating various women's items and gizmos: fans, screens, caskets.
Techniques and materials have undergone changes over time, but the most important thing remains - decorating something with the skillful use of decoupage principles.
Today, decoupage technique is an integral part of styles such as.
Decoupage techniques
There are five main types of decoupage:
- Direct (the image is glued to the outside of the thing or object being decorated).
- Reverse (used to decorate glass transparent surfaces, in this case, the picture is pasted with the front side to the back of the glass object).
- Volumetric (some of the decorative elements are deliberately made higher than all the others; for this, many layers of decoupage fragments or special modeling masses are used).
- Smoky (this type of decoupage consists in imitation of artistic painting, the border between the image and the surface is almost invisible, a smoky halo appears around the picture).
- Decopatch (the entire surface of the object is pasted over with paper pieces of diversified material - napkins, corrugated, sheet paper, etc.)
The choice of decoupage technique depends on the idea of the decorator, the style of the design of the entire room, into which objects with decoupage will be “introduced”.
Decoupage materials
Decoupage does not require a lot of materials.
Having paper pictures and suitable glue available, you can get a wonderful decorative element. There is also a small nuance - to give individuality and nobility to products decorated using the decoupage technique, additional materials may be needed.
Paper application
Favorite pictures from postcards, colorful magazines, labels and even wallpaper - all this can become an object that is pasted during decoupage. Calendars, newspaper notes, wrapping paper in the skillful hands of decorators can find their second life as a decorative element.
Helper napkins
The main materials that are affordable, and in quality, and in variety are paper napkins. You can use ordinary three-layer napkins and small four-layer paper handkerchiefs. These napkins are also sold in household supermarkets and specialized handicraft shops. When purchasing napkins in "needlework goods", you can buy them individually, choosing the only one that you need according to your creative plan.
Decoupage cards
There are also special glossy cards with drawings on sale - thematic sheets of paper of different sizes, which are grouped into so-called decoupage cards. These "helpers" for needlewomen can be produced in a double-sided version (for reverse decoupage) and several identical copies (to add volume).
The advantages of decoupage cards are that they practically do not tear when wet, almost do not change size when glued. If napkins are glued mainly on a light surface, then fragments of decoupage cards can also be used on dark surfaces. The cards are very elastic and resistant to friction.
textured paper
In decoupage of large and glass surfaces, you can use rice paper. It is easy to use and even a beginner needlewoman can handle it. The only requirement when working with it is not to cut out fragments, but to pull out. The paper is fibrous and easily adheres to the surface. The raw material for its production is rice straw.
Rice paper napkins will give the product an original and unusual look, because. they completely repeat the shape of the object (due to the fibrous structure).
There is also mulberry and banana paper, which is also loved by decoupage masters. Rough and loose, such paper includes various inclusions; it is used in background and textured coatings.
Glue
To make the decoupage product look neat and high quality, you need to purchase water-based glue. Of course, it is best to use a specially designed glue, but in the absence of such, you can use ordinary PVA.
Surface coating materials
For painting, aging surfaces use:
- acrylic and oil paints;
- pigments;
- metallized pastes;
- bitumen.
In order for the coating to look like gold-plated, potal, metallized foil is used.
The materials used by decoupage masters are not limited to those listed above, in fact there are many more.
Do-it-yourself furniture decoupage with napkins: step by step instructions
Space for your creativity and the realization of decoupage ideas in life is furniture. To begin with, you can work out on something inexpensive - a high chair, a stool, a coffee table.
Having decided to change the appearance of your furniture using decoupage, use these step-by-step instructions:
- We create in our head or on a piece of paper a project of what we want to get as a result of decoupage.
- We purchase the necessary materials suitable for the plan (decoupage cards, napkins, glue, varnish)
- Sand the surface of the furniture with fine sandpaper.
- We fill the pores of the furniture (if any) with special means.
- Cut out a piece of napkin, which will be glued to the furniture.
- Having cut out the desired fragment, we separate the “extra” layers, leaving only the outer one, with a pattern.
- We coat the fragment with glue using a small brush. For convenience, you can put it on polyethylene or a stationery file.
- Carefully, so as not to damage the cut piece of the napkin, transfer it to the prepared furniture surface (it is very convenient to do this with a file) and iron it with a brush, trying to “drive out” all the bubbles and smooth out all the creases.
- After waiting for the fragment to dry (do not rush !!!), we cover the glued picture with a transparent water-based varnish.
It is advisable to repeat the last paragraph at least three or four times, moreover, the time between varnish coats should be sufficient for the previous layer to dry (at least one hour).
Do-it-yourself decoupage of old furniture: video
Decoupage is a great option for transforming old but dear furniture. What if the furniture is outdated, and you do not have the funds to purchase a new one? What to do if the piece of furniture is very dear to you and represents some important piece of your life?
You can try to change the look of old furniture by resorting to decoupage.
Furniture decoupage is a way of decorative restoration and colorful decoration of your furniture. The basis of decoupage is gluing cutouts of napkins, various fabrics, paper, magazines and other materials onto a furniture surface and coating it with paints and varnishes.
Furniture decoupage was done in the Middle Ages. Masters, with the help of paper applications, turned old unnecessary furniture into expensive ones. Paintings were recreated and sold to rich people.
Decoupage of furniture on various surfaces
On what surfaces is furniture decoupage done:
- wooden surfaces;
- plastic surfaces;
- the use of glass surfaces for furniture decoupage;
- fabric surfaces.
Let's take a closer look at how to make decoupage on various surfaces of furniture.
Decoupage of furniture on a wooden surface
Before starting work, it is necessary to sand and putty the uneven furniture. Wooden furniture with a pattern is covered with one layer of varnish to preserve it. If there is no need to leave this drawing, then it is simply painted over with paint, this is also done with.
Only after that we use the necessary material for decoupage of wooden furniture.
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Decoupage of furniture on a plastic surface
First, degrease with alcohol or acetone. Slippery plastic is treated with fine sandpaper and gypsum putty is applied. Then we leave it to dry for a while and again we clean it with sandpaper.
Decoupage of glass furniture
When decoupage glass furniture can be direct and reverse decoupage.
Direct furniture decoupage material is glued to the outer surface of the furniture, while the reverse, on the contrary, to the inner. The glass surface is degreased with alcohol and preferably decoupage with napkins is used, because the glass is too thin.
If you are a good needlewoman, then crochet a doily that fits the size of your countertop. Well, if you are not a needlewoman, then I advise you to purchase imitating plastic lace.
You need to apply imitating lace from the corner of the table top with a flat brush. Wait for the paint to dry and remove the stencil.
Paint the table in the color you like. After the paint has dried, cover the table with a matte varnish for a protective layer.
How to decoupage furniture with a newspaper
We will need:
- pieces of newspapers for furniture decoupage;
- trippy;
- glue for decoupage;
- brush;
- clear nail polish;
Using a brush, apply decoupage glue to the surface of the furniture. Spread the newspapers soaked in water on the surface and gently smooth it so as not to tear. It is necessary to smooth from the center of the furniture to the edges. We let the decoupage from newspapers dry for a day. After drying, apply a colorless varnish in 4 - 5 layers, giving time for each to dry.
How to make decoupage glue with your own hands
Elmer's glue for furniture decoupage
We take gelatin and soak in water until completely swollen. We put this mixture in a water bath, finally dissolving, and add vinegar with glycerin. If available, you can add and.
Food grade glue for furniture decoupage
1 way. Bring to a boil a solution of 1 part flour + 1 part sugar + 3 parts water and a little vinegar.
2 way. Mix the egg white of 5 quail eggs with sugar and cream of tartar.
glue gun
Pour Elmer's glue into a spray bottle. Add water, exactly as much as added Elmer's glue and a couple of drops of liquid soap.
Of course, each of us has such things in everyday life that are already scary to look at, but the hand does not rise to throw them away. You can’t say goodbye to your grandmother’s shabby sideboard?
Or, perhaps, you just don’t want to part with the nursery, and therefore such a sweet heart stool?
Then this article is for you. All over the world, it is gaining momentum do-it-yourself furniture decoupage It is very easy to make and most importantly, fun!
What is decoupage?
First things first, getting down to business, you should figure out what decoupage is. This is a decorative design based on cutting out from a variety of materials - paper, leather, napkins, and then sticking them on the selected item.
It comes from China, but it reached its greatest prosperity in Europe, from where it came to us. The method is also called "art for the poor", but do not take this as an insult, we are talking about more than materials available to each of us.
After all, a variety of napkins, clippings from magazines, and simply three-dimensional pictures from the Internet - this is the basis for creative incarnations. This art does not set rigid limits, so do not limit your flight of fancy, do not hesitate to implement even the most daring idea!
Do-it-yourself basic furniture decoupage techniques
To date, there are several implementation technologies. Let's talk and analyze each of them.
Classic do-it-yourself furniture decoupage
This method involves covering the prepared plane with a picture you like. This can be done dry, wet or hot. This method does not require special skills, which means that anyone can do the decoupage of furniture with their own hands.
The dry method of gluing clippings is the easiest for beginners and the most popular among professionals. The pre-prepared motif should be applied with a flat, wide brush. It is important to note that it is required to apply from the center to the edges, removing all bubbles.
Wet, or as it is also called, a wet way of decorating. The prepared cut is first moistened with water using a cotton pad (do not overdo it, the ornament can easily “float”), then filled with glue.
Glue can be distributed in the same way as in the dry method - with a brush, or you can use a cotton swab, or even a finger.
The hot method involves the use of a conventional household iron. The plane is treated with glue, and after it dries, a prepared motive is applied. Carefully, through waxed paper, ironed at medium temperature.
Experiment, and choose the method you need, remember that this is purely individual!
Furniture decoupage technologies
- Reverse decoupage technology
Used for glass or tinted objects. It differs from the previous one only in that it is applied to the reverse side of the object; - Artistic "napkin technology"
One of the most interesting. It implies the combination of "application" and the canvas into one whole, the complete picture is recreated by means of artistic painting or other methods of decoration; - Decorating "decopatch"
It involves not just a combination of a carved ornament and a canvas, it implies the merging of many pictures into one whole, filling the voids of the canvas. In other words, individual pieces are glued end-to-end, and form a single solid background; - With the help of volumetric decoupage
A stereo image effect is achieved. Let me explain that with this technology, the application is glued to a pre-prepared part from a stucco element (it can be made of polymer clay, cold porcelain, etc.)
Do-it-yourself decoupage of old furniture is not only useful, because you give new life to things, bring new colors to them, but also fascinating!
Let's take a closer look at this topic, because it's one thing to apply a picture, and quite another to effectively decorate the selected item.
The main effects of decoupage
Tired of the color of the facades? Or maybe they got worn out? So, it's time to give gloss and shine, which can be achieved by applying various effects. Let's look at the main ones:
Giving volume to shadows
Well, of course, what could be simpler and more effective than a correctly placed shadow? You need to apply the shadow with a dry artificial brush, carefully driving in and shading the pastel according to the drawing. Remember, the blurrier the borders, the more “alive” the shadow.
Gilding
Fancy a chic inlay? This can be easily achieved by resorting, for example, to analogues of gold leaf sheets.
And you can do it even easier - stick sheets of gold or silver paint, and the worn thing will literally shine!
Toning, or creating a gradient
In nature, nowhere you will find a flower, leaf, or blade of grass of a single color. Nature has endowed each of its components with unique colors.
Try and you give naturalness to the picture. Gently use a flat brush to create a beautiful uneven color, let it “glare” somewhere, and somewhere, on the contrary, darken.
Creating artificial wear
It is achieved by creating abrasions on the field of the applied pattern. Artificial aging gives a flight of fancy and allows you to fantasize about the history that this thing carries in itself.
Craquelure effect
It is similar to the wear effect in that it also creates artificial aging. Only craquelure - the formation of cracks by applying a special varnish, which, when dried, gives cracks of any shape and size.
Patination
Also from the category of "old" tricks. In other words, this is the creation of dark spots that mimic wear. Typically, patination is applied to the corners of furniture.
Now we have learned even more about this wonderful technique. But how can you make the decoupled items organically fit into the interior of the house? Think in advance in what style you will do the work.
Some motifs are reminiscent of summer lightness, while others - the seriousness of forms and patterns. For example, the Provencal style is characterized by such motifs as wild flowers, rustic ornaments, wreaths and bees, but to create a Victorian style, use gold leaves, artificial aging, ornaments from lush bouquets and angels.
But this absolutely does not mean that the decoupage technique is only the prerogative of country options, absolutely not! Many things can be "modernized" with decoupage, while they will look fashionable, bright and catchy.
Furniture decoupage master class
The correct furniture decoupage technique involves the presence of certain stages that will allow you to do the job efficiently and with pleasure. Let's talk about the main ones.
Preparation of interior items
Before starting work, familiarize yourself with the selected surface, carefully inspect it. It should not have any chips and deep scratches, it should be solid and uniform. If the wooden surface has dried out, or large chips have formed in it, treat them with epoxy glue, remove the residue with a special spatula and wait for it to harden. If you decide to paint the surface, then first sand it with sandpaper, apply paint. Only after complete drying can you start working;
Material preparation
In all seriousness, think about what kind of thing you want to see? How should it fit into the interior? What does she need to add that will emphasize the style of the entire room.
Find the right options for decorating, these can be doilies, lace, scraps of paper, magazine clippings, and even pieces of leather. How exactly to prepare applications - tear or cut - you decide.
If it consists of an ornament that is difficult to cut out, and its background matches the tone of the surface on which you will apply it, I recommend that you just carefully cut it off.
If you need to cut out a specific pattern, for example, a flower, I do not recommend cutting off the napkin, spend a few minutes of your time, but do everything as carefully as possible.
Application
The application techniques were described above, it is worth adding only that the beauty of the future product also depends on accuracy. In no case do not rush, do everything to the maximum accurately and efficiently, remember that it is better to spend time and, as a result, be proud of your work than to rush and then regret what you have done.
The final stage of application should be opening the surface with varnish
Do the necessary manipulations - toned the clipping, or give it a gradient. Take another look at the final result, inspect for bubbles under the application or pieces of debris.
Everything suits me? Then feel free to grab the brush and cover the creation with varnish.
By the way, decorating something in a horizontal plane is much more convenient than in any other, so think about this factor in advance.
How to get rid of furniture defects
So, you have chosen the object of decoration. It can be an old chest of drawers, a chair or a whole closet. Sometimes objects, especially wooden ones, dry out or acquire defects on their surface over time. Do not rush to get upset, all this is fixable.
- A chip has formed on the tree. It's simple: with a cotton swab dipped in iodine, carefully treat the chipped area;
- The crack is too deep. There are several options here:
- Furniture wax, which can be replaced with mastic. Heat the material and carefully rub into the crack;
- Epoxy adhesive. As stated above, apply epoxy to the crack, remove the residue with a spatula and let dry;
- Furniture putty. It can be selected in various tonalities, according to the tone of your product. - If the lacquer is damaged, remove the lacquer and re-treat it;
- If the surface is swollen from moisture, draw PVA glue into the syringe, gently pierce the swelling in several places, inject the glue. Cover with a cloth and place under load for several days;
- If the PVC film has peeled off, glue it on the Moment glue;
- Has a white spot appeared on the tree from the heat? The problem will be solved by automotive mastic for polishing. Wrap it in a towel and rub vigorously. Abrasive components will remove the stain, and polishing components will polish the surface;
- Small scratches can be carefully painted over with a marker.
In this article, we got acquainted with a wonderful lesson - do-it-yourself decoupage of old furniture. As a rule, a creative approach is characteristic of women, because it is they who create comfort and warmth in the house! And an old table, wardrobe or chest of drawers will come in handy for your creative impulses.
Feel free to create and experiment, bring even the most daring ideas to life. Do not grab onto a grandiose object, just start small, and you will see how all the mystery, comfort and originality of decoupage will be revealed before you.
DECOUPAGE OF OLD FURNITURE WITH YOUR HANDS