Have you got a boring old cabinet you’ve been longing to decorate but can’t find the time to? Or perhaps you own a plain book case which you are dying to paint? Here are 5 quick ways to spruce up your furniture with easy breezy techniques that won’t cost you a lot of time.

1. Ragging
Ragging is one of the easiest techniques to introduce the illusion of texture on practically any surface! Be it an old shoe rack or a book shelf, you can perform this decorating method to instantly turn a boring piece of furniture into a nice looking piece of art! All you need is paint and a piece of old rag cloth (or bunched up newspaper) for this to work.

You can either paint on a layer of color on the desired surface, then apply the ragging technique using the rag cloth OR leave the surface clean and dry, then apply the cloth which has been dipped into paint. The results are extraordinarily pleasant – Everyone can be an artist with this technique!

Pic credit www.thefauxchateau.com

2. Stenciling
This method is also very flexible and can produce really nice borders on furniture surfaces. Acrylic paint is usually used. You may also experiment with dry brushes or sponges for different effects. Stencils can be bought in most art shops, and you can even reproduce your customized stencils using cardboard boxes.

Pic credit ehow.com

3. Antique furniture crackle treatment
Old is in, new is out! You don’t need lots of cash to bring antique furniture into your home – just turn your boring plain furniture pieces into charming old antiques by applying the crackling technique! The key ingredient in this DIY project is the crackle medium which can be purchased in art and craft stores. Apply the crackle medium as the first layer, then quickly layer on a contrasting color to the first. The top coat will being to crackle. Modify the finishing as you see fit but don’t forget to slap on a thin layer of varnish to preserve your art work!

Pic credit antiquefurniture.guidestobuy.com

Some people might not be sure how they can go “green” with their bedroom home furniture. The water doesn’t get used in there and there is no major appliances. There are ways that you can have an eco-friendly bedroom. I will explain a couple of them for you.

The mattress for one is a dangerous thing. Most mattresses have gas chemicals giving off from them. PDBE’s and formaldehyde for instance. These chemicals are flame retardants that are carcinogenic. You will want to change your mattress to one that does not have emissions in it. There are ones with only natural materials that are flame retardant like wool for example. Another one considered safe is a latex.

For your bedroom home room furniture, buy vintage. One part of going “green” is reduce, reuse, recycle. To find furniture a only a few years old and cheap, check the newspapers. There is no need to buy fancy antiques.

For the linens in your bedroom, buy organic. You can find bamboo sheets or organic cotton at most stores. Use blankets instead of heaters in the winter. Your body heat gets trapped under the blankets to keep you warm. Try wool or down, they seem to insulate well. Buy hypoallergenic blankets that are also eco-friendly if you are allergic. These are just a few ways for you to go “green” in the bedroom.