How to Decoupage Furniture DIY Paper Projects

By Lauren Flanagan

Decoupage Dresser Drawers - Daniele Lug

Decoupaging furniture is a great way to spruce up old or unfinished items. All it takes are a few basic supplies, a little bit of time, and some imagination.

Decoupage is the art of decorating items with paper. Decoupage can be used for a whole host of craft projects large and small, including dressing up furniture.

Instructions for How to Decoupage Furniture

Sometimes the methods will vary slightly depending on whether or not the furniture is finished or unfinished, rough or smooth, and what kind of paper is used. These instructions can be followed for basic pieces of furniture and paper of a regular stock.

• Choose a piece of furniture to be decoupaged. If this is your first attempt a flat surface will be much easier than a curved one. Remember that it doesn't have to be the whole piece. A drawer front, the seat or back of a chair, or a tabletop can be done while leaving the rest.
• Find a paper to use for the decoupage project. It can be wallpaper, giftwrap, a greeting card, photographs, or anything else you can come up with. Entire pieces can be used, or cut out shapes and designs that will work for the project.
• Lay out the paper pictures on the surface in the way that you want the finished project to look. Then it's time to glue.

Gluing Paper and Photographs to Furniture

• Using a water-based sealant glue (such as Mod Podge), or by diluting regular white glue with water, begin attaching the paper.
• Spread the glue on the back of the paper picture with a paintbrush.
• Lay down the picture on the surface in the chosen spot then smooth it out with a ruler (making sure there are no air bubbles trapped underneath.
• Use a damp cloth to carefully wipe away any excess glue around the edges. Be careful not to move the paper while doing this.

Final Steps of Decoupaging Furniture

• Once all of the images are glued into place, let them dry completely. Leave it 12-24 hours just to be certain.
• When it's completely dry, apply a thin layer of water-based sealant glue or lacquer to the entire piece of furniture (with a paintbrush). It will act as a topcoat, sealing the design, and also give the piece an even, finished look.
• After applying the first coat and letting it dry, have a look and see if a second is necessary.
• Once it looks the way you want you're done!

The art of decoupage is actually quite simple. The key is finding the right paper pictures to apply, and placing them in a pleasing way. Whether it's a vintage poster applied to a chair, or botanical or floral wallpaper cutouts applied to a chest of drawers, decoupaged furniture can be very stylish, and best of all, fun to make.

By Muralismo

This Blog link  http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/01/decoupage-goodness-make-your-monday.html has AMAZING photos of walls decoupaged with book pages. What an attractive alternative to wallpaper or a wall mural!

Here is an example of my own decoupage. A wooden tissue box that I bought from Spotlight in Panmure. 

Now all I need to do is to find the perfect writing desk to upcycle with BOTH decoupage AND a set of of our beautiful glass knobs or handles.

I think I will use Rose covered wrapping paper to fit the Romantic Shabby Chic theme I will be trying to create.