Instead of selling or giving away an unused wooden ottoman, I decided to repurpose it and turn it into a toy box for my daughter. By turning a dull and neutral piece of furniture, into a fun-filled splash of colour in my daughter’s room!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A wooden storage chest
- Rustins Quick Drying Primer and Undercoat – White
- Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish paint – China Rose
- Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish paint – Dusky Pink
- Paintbrushes
- Paint Roller set
- Sandpaper & masking tape (optional)
I like to buy all my paints in metal cans, they are great for transport – no spills, and storage – they will keep any paint you don’t use fresh for another project and stack neatly in your shed.
Step 1: Let’s prep
I started by giving the whole exterior of the box and good wipe down with a wet cleaning cloth, scrubbing off some marks from day-to-day life!
Then I gave the top and sides a very light sand with a gentle sanding paper, however this is an optional step depending on how longwearing you wish the finish to be. Sanding is usually better for long-term results.
I then placed some small cardboard pieces under the box’s legs to protect the surrounding area from any stray paint. This simple step helps prevent marks or drips from transferring onto your floor, especially if you’re working on a surface that’s difficult to clean, such as a carpet. You could also lay down old newspapers, a dust sheet, or even spare plastic covering around your workspace to catch any splashes or spills.
Step 2: Prime away!
Using a roller and paintbrush, I applied a thin coat of the Rustins Quick Drying Primer and Undercoat, in the hade ‘white’ to give the dark wooden areas an even base to apply my colour to.
Step 3: Adding the splash of colour
2 hours after applying the undercoat, I went in with the Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish paint in the shade ‘Dusky Pink’ to the top, and bottom of the box, and the shade ‘China Rose’ on the middle section.
I used a paintbrush to get into the small detailed areas, and a roller to smooth out any brush strokes.
Step 4: Layer up!
After another 2 hours, I applied a second coat of both of the paint colours to ensure the paint coverage was even, leaving a flawless finish.
Step 5: Add personalisation
For this particular piece of furniture, I chose to add some wooden letters with the word ‘TOYS’ to finish off the toy box. I painted the wooden letters with the Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish paint in the shade ‘Dusky Pink’ to match the top and bottom of the toybox and bring the colours together.
So next time you have a piece of furniture needing a new lease of life, think about adding a pop of colour into your home by upcycling an item you already have!
Step 6: Enjoying the new look!
Now it’s time to make the most of your transformed piece. For me, this meant putting my daughter’s favourite toys into the box for her to enjoy exploring and playing with. To keep things organised, I grouped similar items together but you could even rotate toys seasonally or keep favourites more accessible on top, making it easier for them to find what they want. It not only keeps the space tidy, but also makes playtime more inviting and enjoyable for little ones.
