Give old furniture a glow-up: Jasmine Gurney’s 5-step upcycling guide

Thinking about giving your home a refresh without splashing out on brand new furniture? You’re not alone.

Upcycling is having a serious moment right now, with more and more DIYers giving old furniture a second life for less. Still, it’s not always as simple as it looks. Nearly a third of Brits admit they’ve been put off by the cost, the tools or not knowing where to begin.

The good news? It’s easier than you think.

DIY influencer Jasmine Gurney (@_ohabode) has teamed up with BLACK+DECKER as part of the Home Heroes campaign to show just how simple and affordable upcycling can be. Her latest project turns two outdated IKEA units into one stylish storage cabinet, perfect for everything from toys to everyday clutter.
 

Here’s Jasmine’s step by step guide to transforming IKEA furniture for less
 

Step 1: Prep like a pro

Every good DIY project starts with a clean slate.

“First, we need to prep the cabinets using a cleaner degreaser. I give both cabinets a really good wipe down to remove any dirt before sanding.

Then I use the BLACK+DECKER cordless random orbital sander, which is part of the Power Connect battery sharing range, and I attach it to my vacuum to keep dust to a minimum.”
 

Step 2: Build your base

Now it’s time to bring everything together.

“To cut the wooden pieces for the doors and face frame, I use a 140mm cordless circular saw. It’s compact, lightweight and gives a really smooth, accurate cut.

I then apply grab adhesive to attach the wood to the front of the units, joining them together so they look seamless. For extra strength, I use a cordless drill driver to create pilot holes and fix small rigid joint brackets.

I finish by adding bracing to the back using an off-cut, secured with glue and screws, then glue a new plinth top on before moving to the door moulding.”
 

Step 3: Add character with moulding

This is where your cabinet really starts to come to life.

“Once you’ve measured where you want the moulding to sit, you can use a hacksaw or a mitre block to get the angles just right. Then use grab adhesive to fix it onto the doors.

Once it’s dry, apply caulk before moving on to priming.”
 

Step 4: Prime and paint

Time for the transformation moment.

“I’m using a shellac-based primer, which means I can use any leftover paint from previous projects, including standard emulsion.

Once the primer is dry, lightly sand the surface to help the paint stick. Leave it for the recommended recoat time, then before your final coat, give everything another light sand using 220 grit paper. Use very light pressure, as you’re just creating a key.

After wiping it clean, apply your final coat with a foam roller to get that smooth, professional finish.”
 

Step 5: Finish it off

The final details make all the difference.

“Once the paint has dried, I fit double crank flush hinges by chiselling a recess into the door and securing them to the unit, making sure there’s an even gap all the way around.

To finish, I add doorknobs and magnetic catches.”
 

A project worth trying

The result? A stylish, practical cabinet that looks high-end but costs a fraction of buying new.

“I just absolutely love how this upcycle project turned out,” says Jasmine. “Using beginner-friendly tools, second-hand furniture and paint I already had, we’ve saved so much money.”

And that’s exactly what Home Heroes is all about.Ç

Tim Winstanley, Senior Brand Manager at BLACK+DECKER, says: “We want to help people feel more confident tackling DIY at home. With the right tools and guidance, it doesn’t have to feel intimidating. It can actually be really rewarding.”

Ready to give it a go? This might just be your sign to pick up the tools and start your own upcycling project.