How to... revamp old furniture

If your furniture is looking shabby and tired, be clever with fabric, brighten a piece with a coat of paint or strip back an item to reveal its intrinsic beauty.

Under cover

Paint is your most useful tool. Off-white oil eggshell is an effective treatment for dark wood pieces. Prepare the wood first by sanding down and finishing with white spirit, then apply a coat of matt varnish to protect the finish. For extra depth, paint with different colours and sand areas to reveal underneath shades for an aged effect. You could experiment with crackleglaze or enhance the beauty of wood with liming wax or colourwashing. Try Nutshell Paints (01392 823760; www.nutshellpaints.co.uk) for organic paints, oils, waxes, varnishes and stains or Liberon Wood (01797 361136; www.liberon.co.uk) for treatments, waxes, oil, polishes and liming.

A new lease of life

Weather takes its toll on outside chairs and tables but they can be refurbished, too. Use a wire brush and steel wool to strip off old paint and rust from metal furniture. Apply a zinc-based primer and re-paint. To increase the lifespan of wood, clean and re-oil it annually; try Treat your Teak from Baileys Home & Garden (01989 561931; www.baileyshomeandgarden.com). Replace the canvas on deckchairs (use a staple gun to secure the fabric) and director's chairs - www.deckchairstripes.com has a great selection.

Soft options

Don't assume that upholstery is beyond your capabilities, though loose covers do require some skill - read 'Simple Soft Furnishings' by Katrin Cargill (Quadrille Publishing, £20). It is best to pre-wash fabric to avoid shrinkage later and, preferably, choose machine washable material. Try Jane Churchill (020 7244 7427; www.janechurchill.com). John Lewis (0845 604 9049; www.johnlewis.com) does a mini sewing machine (£49) for beginners. However, fitted covers on small pieces of furniture are easy to tackle. Start with chair seats; stretch the fabric tight, secure with a staple gun and then upholstery nails, which will be hidden out of sight beneath the frame. Footstools are equally straightforward and tacks can be covered with a braid trim.

The art of reinvention

Consider changing the appearance of an item by reworking or resurfacing it. Cupboard door panels can be replaced with chicken wire, glass or fabric and, if you are feeling adventurous, why not experiment with wallpaper, fabric, découpage or mosaic?

Master of disguise

A large bedspread, antique quilt, blanket or throw is the ultimate quick fix for jaded upholstery. Don't cut corners and skimp on fabric or use lightweight material that will ruffle easily and look messy. Then sit back and relax.