When redoing furniture, the hardware is a fun way to add interest! I frequently add style to existing hardware for the added detail of a hand finished piece. Depending on the situation, I may just redo the existing hardware or scrounge around and piecemeal a set together unifying it with a new special finish.
Here are 5 different ways to add style to existing hardware! Be sure to checkout my video towards the end of this post!
All of the material I used on these hardware re-dos, as well as the other products like ReDesign with Prima transfers and Fusion Mineral Paint products I stock in my shop Redo Your Furniture (aka Frame and Frills).
Prepping Hardware
- For every different treatment in these 5 ways to add style to existing hardware, I started by washing the hardware with our TSP Alternative.
- If any of the hardware had a film, oil or wax on it, I scrubbed it with our Fusion Odorless Solvent, and rewashed with the TSP Alternative.
- Next, depending on what the hardware was made of, it may have needed a quick wipe to apply a thin layer of our Ultra Grip, a bonding agent that will ensure amazing adhesion for the paint, especially on metal hardware! In that case, the Ultra Grip does need to cure for at least 12 hours before painting over.
For heavily used hardware, I’d recommending top coating it with a few layers of our Tough Coat. A wipe on finish available in both gloss and matte finishes.
1: Cottage Table with Carved Wood Knob:
The existing knob on this table was a charming carved wood knob.
This was a simple transformation from a wood finish to a painted finish coordinating with the other brightly colored accents.
The colors of Fusion Mineral Paint I used for this fun and bright treatment is: Tuscan Orange, Cranberry, Liberty Blue, with the body of the table done in Laurentien. Then I went over it all with a wash of 50/50 water and Casement paint color. The transfer, (found here) on the top of the table was the inspiration for this color scheme.
2: Hardware Same Color as Buffet
When I redid this buffet, I actually was having a difficult time removing the hardware without destroying it. Then I decided it was better anyway for the overall design to have the hardware blended in with the 2-tone color of the buffet.
Ultra Grip, is the key to successfully painting metal hardware and having it ‘stick’! The Ultra Grip gets wiped on, and needs to cure for at least 12 hours, then it’s ready to be painted.
For this buffet, I carefully painted the hardware as I was painting the buffet, and went back over the hardware with my finger dipped in a little Vintage Gold metallic paint to just give a subtle touch of a highlight. (by the way that red on my knuckles is paint, not blood! LOL)
3: Creating a Unified Finish for Mismatched Hardware
I had 3 different finishes on mismatched hardware for a secretary desk I was redoing. This is one I definitely scrounged around and piecemealed a ‘set’ together…it just all needed to be united with a finish.
First, after the Ultra Grip bonding agent cured, I painted a quick base coat over all the hardware in the creamy color Champlain.
Next, I brushed on a quick coat of Bronze metallic, leaving some of the Champlain showing.
The final step was a ‘wash’ of Chocolate, 50/50 water and paint. I brushed it on, and wiped it back with a paper towel, letting the wash set in the grooves more.
The end result is a wonderful aged patina layered look that was about as simple as can be to accomplish!
4: Adding Style to Existing Hardware with Painted Detail
When I’m thinking about adding style to existing hardware, I consider the overall style I’m redoing the piece of furniture in and coordinate the hardware finish to that.
I had a vision to redo a buffet into a Scandinavian style. Reusing the existing hardware it got a fresh update taking it from ugly dated hardware into something that looked much more special for the style. All with just paint and a bit of patience.
Again, Ultra Grip to the rescue to allow the paint to adhere incredibly well to the metal hardware.
Coal Black was the first layer of paint, over the entire surface. It took a couple coats to completely cover the edges and bail part of the handles.
My overall goal for this look was creating a faux porcelain enamel inlay.
After the black was done, I used Casement to paint the face, (faux enamel part). This did take 3-4 coats, letting it dry in between coats.
I sketched on paper to come up with a simple design I could handle with a paintbrush… Then sketched it onto the hardware.
Next, working it color by color, I started with the dark green stem and leaf patterns and let that dry.
Adding one color at a time to each piece, letting it dry before the next color was added.
After all the colors were on and dry, to confirm the porcelain enamel look, I top coated the white part of the hardware with Gloss Tough Coat.
Each part of the very simple flower design was just a simple brush stroke. It looks more complicated and ‘fancy’ when it’s all done, but it wasn’t anything that took great skill… just patience.
5: Knob Transfers
Like the idea of flowers or a pattern on a knob, but don’t want to fuss with hand painting them on? Well, Knob Transfers might be right up your alley! Here’s a link to my shop for the knob transfers.
I started with some very plain, brushed steel looking knobs and wiped on a super thin layer of Ultra Grip.
After the Ultra Grip cured overnight, I painted the knobs with our Picket Fence Fusion Mineral Paint. It took a few coats for full coverage.
Next, I applied the transfer, top coated the knobs with Tough Coat in gloss to createa porcelain knob look. Final step was to paint the ‘stem’ part of the knobs black.
I have the step-by-step video a couple paragraphs below showing how easy it is to apply the knob transfers!
They are now on the pantry cupboards. How cute is that for a simple vintage style?!
Here is the video showing how simple applying knob transfers is to add style to existing hardware:
Have questions? Please contact me, I’d love to help you be successful with your project!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Please feel free to follow and share this blog with your friends, as well as on Facebook, Pinterest, Flipboard, Bloglovin, YouTube and Instagram! I appreciate you reading along.
You can also find me at my shop, Frame and Frills, stocked with amazing DIY products like Fusion Mineral Paint, Stencils, Mint by Michelle decoupage papers, ReDesign with Prima Rub-on Transfers and several pieces of re-done furniture in the shop. You can shop in person or online.
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