How to decoupage furniture with wallpaper and give it a fresh new look

How to decoupage furniture with wallpaper and give it a fresh new look

Refresh old furniture with a dash of decoupage! Learn how to decoupage a chair super simply with wallpaper.

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Published: March 12, 2024 at 5:06 pm

Most of us know decoupage is a really fun craft. But it's also brilliant for giving larger items a refresh. It's cheap and ever so cheerful, too. In this article we show you how to decoupage furniture to give it a new lease of life!

Decoupage is also a clever way of using up all those little bits of wrapping paper or wallpaper that many of us collect and have in our stash. You can even use patterned napkins!

You could also try cutting out your own abstract shapes from coloured paper and glueing them in overlapping layers for a really individual and funky look.

What is decoupage?

Decoupage is a really popular craft. It's a super-quick way to transform a plain object made of wood, glass, ceramic or plastic, turning it into something fabulous. It's very calming and meditative and requires minimal tools: just paper, glue and scissors.

Decorating glasses with decoupage
Getty Images/Westend61

You simply cut out pictures or shapes from paper and glue them onto the surface of a plain item such as a cardboard initial or a white ceramic vase to give it a zhuzh! But you can go as large as you want, and furniture is ideal.

How long will it last and how do I clean it?

How long your item lasts depends on how well you finish it, how often it is used, and the atmosphere it is kept in. A seat needs a durable finish, such as yacht varnish. It works best over dark papers as it can make white look slightly yellow. There are many water-based varnishes that work wonders, especially with plenty of applications. 

How to decoupage a chair

This project was designed by Marcie K and originally appeared in issue 151 of Mollie.

Photography: Steve Sayers

Styling: Sarah Malone

Step 1

Take your frame apart if you can, and clean all the surfaces. Give it a light sand. 

Step 2

Decide where you want to place your pattern on the seat, then cut out the paper roughly; a couple of inches more than you actually need to cover the seat area.

Step 3

Your wallpaper dictates the application process: if it’s ‘paste the wall’ wallpaper, brush PVA glue, evenly, directly on the seat. Use a roller to apply the glue if it makes it easier to get an even spread.

If it’s ‘paste the paper’ wallpaper you will still apply PVA glue to the seat, but first spray or brush water onto the back of the paper and leave it for a few minutes before applying. This will stop bubbles appearing during application.

If you’re unsure which wallpaper you have, do a quick test on an item to see which technique works best.

Step 4

Apply the wallpaper to the seat and smooth outwards from the centre. With a new razor blade or a scalpel, held at an angle to the seat, slice off the excess paper and wipe away any excess glue.

  How to decoupage a chair

 

Step 5

Lightly sand around the edge of the paper in a downward motion. You want the paper to feel like it blends in with the wood. Apply extra glue to the edges if needed.

How to decoupage a chair

Step 6

If you’re painting the seat edges, you can also paint any white edges of the paper with a small brush.

Leave to dry, then finish with two coats of yacht varnish for extra durability and protection. Once dry, reassemble your chair.

How to decoupage a chair

Learn how to decoupage furniture and give your home a vibrant refresh

Decoupage is quick, easy and a clever way of using up scraps of wallpaper or wrapping paper. You can use it on pretty much any solid object – the world is your oyster! It works beautifully on furniture and is a super-simple way to add personality to plain pieces.

Add interest to a simple tray

Ready to rejuvenate that old tray? You'll love this stylish project! By cutting out pretty flowers from wrapping paper and sticking them down in a pleasing pattern you can give anything the wow factor. Get stuck into our decoupage tray DIY today!