Key Highlights
- Flat-surfaced pieces like side tables and drawers are easy to start with.
- Cleaning and lightly sanding surfaces helps laminate stick properly.
- You can cover a whole piece or add metal accents to just parts of it.
- Larger or curved pieces may be easier to handle with professional help.
- Upcycling keeps furniture in use while giving it a whole new look.
Giving Old Furniture a Second Act
That old side table in the spare room, or the chest of drawers you’ve had since your first flat – they don’t have to go just because they look a little tired. Upcycling gives familiar pieces a new purpose, and working with metal laminates is an easy way to change their whole look. Fixing a sheet of stainless steel laminate onto a scuffed tabletop, for instance, can turn something forgettable into a piece people actually notice. Ready to give it a go? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Pieces That Suit a Metal Makeover
Not every piece is a good match, so start with the right candidates. Flat, solid surfaces are easiest:
- Side and coffee tables, where simple tops with straight edges make the job quick and the change easy to spot.
- Chests of drawers and sideboards, since drawer fronts can be removed and covered one at a time on a flat work surface.
- Headboards with plain, panelled designs, which can take on an industrial look without changing the rest of the bedroom.
Pieces with heavy carvings or lots of curves are trickier, since metal laminates are easiest to fit on flat areas.
Prepping Before You Stick Anything Down
Good preparation makes a big difference to how long your upcycled piece lasts. Start by removing handles and hardware, then give the surface a thorough clean to get rid of dust, grease and old polish. If the existing finish is glossy, a light sanding helps the adhesive grip better. Fill any dents or cracks so they don’t show through.
Next, measure carefully – and then measure again. It’s worth cutting your stainless steel laminate slightly larger than the surface and trimming it down once fixed, rather than ending up short. Lay everything out before applying adhesive so you know exactly where each piece goes.
Full Cover or Just a Hint of Metal?
You don’t have to wrap the whole piece, especially if you want the original material to stay part of the story.
| Approach | How It Changes the Piece |
| Drawer fronts only | The frame keeps its original wood or paint while the drawers bring in a metal accent. |
| Tabletop insert | A metal panel set into the top creates a wipeable surface with a contrasting border. |
| Edge strips | Thin bands along edges or legs add detail without much coverage. |
| Full wrap | Covering every visible surface creates a uniform look suited to statement pieces. |
If you’re upcycling several items, mixing these approaches keeps metal laminates from taking over the room.
When to Bring in a Pro
Small projects like drawer fronts are manageable at home, but larger or more complex pieces can get fiddly. Long tabletops need the sheet laid down evenly in one go, and curved edges or corners call for careful bending and trimming to avoid gaps or lifting.
If you’re unsure, ask your supplier whether panels can be cut to size, or get a carpenter to handle the fitting. They’ll have the tools to trim edges cleanly and the experience to get a smooth finish with stainless steel laminate across wide surfaces. It may cost a little more, but it saves you redoing the job later.
Turning Tired Pieces Into Talking Points
Upcycling with metal is a fun way to breathe new life into furniture you already own. Start with flat, solid pieces, take your time with the prep, and decide whether a full wrap or a few accents suit each item best. For bigger or trickier projects, a little professional help goes a long way.
There’s also something satisfying about keeping furniture in use rather than replacing it. Each upcycled piece carries a bit of its own history alongside its new look, and that mix of old and new suits an industrial-style home quite naturally. Finish one project, and you might start eyeing up the next.
Contact Jennings to explore metal-finish options for your next upcycling project and get advice on what suits each piece.
