How To Upcycle A Wardrobe: Ideas & Tips
Throwing open your wardrobe doors, you pause, eyeing the tired paintwork and mismatched handles that haven’t sparked joy in years. You’ve thought about replacing the whole thing, but the idea of making it your next DIY project feels much more satisfying – and sustainable.
Whether adding a fresh coat of paint or simply replacing your wardrobe handles, upcycling your wardrobe is a great way to refresh your space while keeping a good piece of furniture out of landfill.
Discover a range of upcycled wardrobe ideas and practical tips that will breathe new life into even the most worn-out furniture.
Why upcycle your old wardrobe?
When our furniture starts to look a little worse for wear, it’s easy to throw the whole thing out and buy something new. However, this can put a lot of strain on our bank accounts, not to mention the negative impact on the environment when old furniture is dumped at the landfill.
“Upcycling a wardrobe is one of the simplest ways to transform a bedroom without spending a fortune. A fresh lick of paint, some carefully chosen handles, and you’ve got a completely new piece of furniture. It’s about taking something functional and making it feel personal—and a bit special.”
James Dowsing-Reynolds, Product Designer and Co-Founder
By upcycling your old wardrobe, you’ll not only save yourself money but also do your bit for sustainability. It can be a really fun DIY project, too, if you know how to do it right.
Image courtesy of @studiosidika
5 upcycled wardrobe ideas
There are plenty of great ways to upcycle your wardrobe, with options to make it as big or as small a project as you’d like. Get inspired with these 5 popular upcycling ideas:
1. Repaint the doors
One of the easiest and most effective ways to upcycle your wardrobe is to give the doors a fresh lick of paint. When done right, this can completely transform the look and feel of your space, breathing new life into tired interiors.
For small bedrooms, painting the wardrobe a light colour like white or cream is an excellent way to make the space feel bigger than it really is. Rather than absorbing light, these shades reflect light around the room to make it feel more open and airy.
Choose a bold, statement colour to turn your wardrobe into an eye-catching focal point, or opt for soft neutral tones for a timeless feel.
2. Upgrade your handles
Upcycling your wardrobe can even be as simple as swapping out your old, wobbly handles for sleek new ones, a small detail that can have a huge impact on the overall look of your bedroom.
“Choosing new handles is one of the quickest ways to refresh a room. Think of them like jewellery for your furniture—small details that can totally change the vibe. Whether you go bold with a statement finish or keep it classic, make sure they feel right in your hand and suit the mood of the space.”
Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, Interiors Expert and Co-Founder
When choosing new handles, opt for a colour and style that complements your existing hardware to create a cohesive look. For example, if your room features gold switches and sockets, it would be good to choose gold wardrobe handles that match. Always match your wardrobe handles to your drawer knobs to tie the space together.
Image courtesy of @landmasslondon
3. Add panelling
Adding panelling to your wardrobe is a great way to elevate its design and add visual interest to your space, perfect for interiors that feel a little flat and need more depth.
Wardrobe panels can easily be DIYed at home using decorative moulding:
- Measure the door so you know exactly how long each piece of moulding needs to be.
- Cut your moulding to size.
- Use hot glue to attach the moulding to the door.
- Fill in any gaps with Polyfilla, then lightly sand to make sure everything is smooth.
- Paint the entire door in your desired colour.
Style panelled wardrobe doors with knurled handles for a textured look that will effortlessly add more dimension and character to your space.
4. Add mirrors
Mirrored wardrobe doors are a stylish and practical addition to modern interiors and are especially great for small bedrooms, making the space feel much bigger than it really is. Place your lights and lamps close to the mirrored doors to reflect light more effectively around the room and help brighten up dark interiors.
Consider repurposing vintage or second-hand mirrors to add unique character to your space and be more sustainable.
5. Reorganise the interior
If it’s the inside of your wardrobe that could use a refresh, there are plenty of DIY ways to change up the layout so it better suits your needs. Consider adding pull-out drawers for smaller items, or installing built-in organisers and shoe racks to keep everything tidy and accessible.
You could also think about repurposing old crates or wooden boxes as compartments, or adding hooks to the inside of the doors for belts, bags, or scarves. These simple updates will help maximise your storage space while also breathing new life into your old wardrobe.
How to upcycle a wardrobe: Top tips
Follow these tips to ensure the upcycling process goes as smoothly as possible:
1. Gather all your tools before starting
Get all your tools ready before you start the upcycling process so you don’t have to waste time looking for them later on. Depending on the changes you want to make to your wardrobe, you may need:
- A tape measure
- A screwdriver or drill
- Paintbrushes or rollers
- Sandpaper
- Masking tape or painter’s tape
- Cleaning supplies
Don’t forget to place floor covers down before you begin to avoid any unwanted messes.
2. Prep and prime
Make sure you thoroughly prep and prime the wardrobe before painting any of the surfaces to ensure an even, professional-looking finish. Depending on how you intend to upcycle the wardrobe, you may need to:
- Clean the surface with sugar soap or a degreaser
- Lightly sand the surface to help new paint or adhesive stick
- Remove or cover any hardware you don’t want to paint over
3. Take your time
Perhaps the most important thing you can do when upcycling your wardrobe is to take your time, ensuring no mistakes are made that will affect the quality of the results.
Allow any paint to dry fully between coats and let sealants cure properly for long-lasting, high-quality results.
Image courtesy of @harvey.langston_jones
Feature image courtesy of @chloelgilmour
Show us your sophisticated upcycled wardrobes
We’d love to see how you’ve used these upcycled wardrobe ideas and tips to elevate your bedroom interior design. Tag us on Instagram @dowsingandreynolds – we can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!
