How can I transform a drab kid’s wardrobe?

Category: FAQ

“How can I transform a drab kid's wardrobe?"

Kayleigh Sherbourne

DIY Expert

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Question

I want to turn an old, tired kid’s wardrobe into a fun piece they will love. Where do I start?

Answer

A bright, colourful wardrobe can be the centrepiece of any kid’s room and can add both personality and practicality. Plus, if anything encourages kids to put away their clothes, that’s a win! I personally love a wardrobe upcycle (check out my favourite ever kid’s wardrobe upcycle) and know how powerful it can be in transforming a room. I picked up this IKEA kid’s wardrobe (below) for just £20 on Facebook Marketplace and love the way it turned out. Follow my easy steps for prep (sugar soap and sanding) and painting, to create your own.

Remove anything you don't need

First up, you’ll want to remove anything from the wardrobe that you don’t want any more. For example, the handles if you want to replace them. With my kid’s wardrobe, I’m going to be removing the mirror, which was stuck on and came off easily.

Get rid of dirt and grime

The next step is to give everything a good clean with Frenchic’s water-based Concentrated Sugar Soap, which is an excellent degreaser. This is a key step not to be missed. The amount of dirt and grime on furniture, especially second-hand will shock you.

To use the sugar soap, add approximately ¼ (125ml) of the bottle to 4.5 litres of warm water. Apply the sugar soap liberally using a sponge or absorbent cloth.

Get rid of dirt and grime

The next step is to give everything a good clean with Frenchic’s water-based Concentrated Sugar Soap, which is an excellent degreaser. This is a key step not to be missed. The amount of dirt and grime on furniture, especially second-hand will shock you.

To use the sugar soap, add approximately ¼ (125ml) of the bottle to 4.5 litres of warm water. Apply the sugar soap liberally using a sponge or absorbent cloth.

Then it's time to sand

Once the furniture is fully dry, it’s time to sand. I'm going to be painting it all so this will require a sand down with a 120-grit sandpaper on all the areas that will be painted. The reason for sanding is so it scratches the surface, so the paint has something to adhere to.

Painting time

Then, it’s time to paint. Make sure you get a damp cloth and wipe away the excess dust from the sanding before painting. I removed the drawers and doors from the wardrobe, as it makes it easier to paint. Then I masking taped any areas that I didn’t want to get paint on.

If you're using the Al Fresco Range, Lazy Range, Trim Range or Chalk Wall Paint Range you won't need to prime as the paint has a primer in-built. Normally it takes around three-four coats for the desired finish. I wanted a yellow wardrobe so went for Hot as Mustard Trim Paint, with Raspberry Punch Al Fresco on the handles.

What I've used

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Top tip: Kid’s furniture is high traffic and likely to get knocked. For extra protection if you've used the Al Fresco range or Chalk Wall Paint range, add two coats of Tuff Top Coat. It’s water-based and EN71-3 certified, which means it’s safe for use on children's furniture and toys.

Finally, step back and admire your work and wait to see the look on your kid’s face!

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