After kitchen renovation Many people have a question: what to do with an old refrigerator? It's quite a few years old, but luckily it still works great. Change? I don't think this is a good idea.
What to do if the clothes of the old “breadwinner” do not fit into the interior? We have prepared 7 wonderful ways for you update the refrigerator at no extra cost.
How to update your refrigerator with your own hands
- Refrigerator stickers
For those who don’t like to bother too much, there are self-adhesive films or photo stickers. Remove the refrigerator handles and thoroughly wash its surface. Take measurements and cut out the desired piece of film. Lightly moisten the surface of the refrigerator with soapy water using a sponge and gradually apply the film, pressing it to the surface.
- Simple, fast, bright
Not every refrigerator can be covered with self-adhesive tape. Therefore, there are a few more ideas - painting, for example. Before the procedure, wash the surface, degrease it, and sand it. Cover all parts that cannot be removed with masking tape. Apply paint with a roller or using a spray can. Needs painting thin layer, wait until it dries and apply more layers. Here you need to be patient, but the result will undoubtedly please you.
- Just napkins - nothing more
Many people have probably heard about the decoupage technique. So, you can update your refrigerator with its help. You will need napkins, PVA glue, brushes, acrylic paints and acrylic varnish.
- Colored tape
If you want to decorate the refrigerator in rented apartment, you can safely use colored tape. It can be easily removed, and marks can be washed off with a sponge and warm soapy water.
- Romantic shabby chic
Those who love French style can turn their refrigerator into a work of art. You will need textured wallpaper, glue, paint, baguette or molding.
- A place for creativity
So that you can draw and write the necessary notes on the refrigerator, cover it with special black paint. It is sold in construction stores or in departments with goods for creativity.
- Patchwork style
What is patchwork? This is a type of needlework in which the product is sewn from separate pieces of fabric. You can decorate your refrigerator in this style. You will need fabric, glue and flat magnets. In general, nothing complicated.
There is no need to throw away your old refrigerator. With some effort, you can turn it into something completely new.
Examples of such refrigerators, as well as methods for converting them, can be seen in a new review.
1. Vintage style
Transformation with paint and moldings.
With pastel paint and a few decorative moldings, you can transform old refrigerator into a real art object. The advantage of this project is that sloppy painting will not only spoil appearance, but will only add charm to the overall design.
2. Mirror surface
Original mirror on the refrigerator door.
An original mirror attached to the door is a simple way that will completely change the appearance of not only the refrigerator, but the entire kitchen.
3. Camouflage
Refrigerator, stylized as wood.
An old, shabby refrigerator can be transformed with wood paneling.
4. Safe
Stylish mini-fridge safe.
Chalk paint, decals, and a safe lock can make a big difference in the appearance of an old refrigerator.
5. Wallpaper
Colored wallpaper.
A refrigerator covered with colored wallpaper looks interesting and fresh. In addition, this design can be easily changed at least every month.
6. Built-in refrigerator
Refrigerator in a vintage cabinet.
A homemade wooden shell in a vintage style will help hide an unsightly refrigerator.
7. Slate board
Refrigerator covered with slate paper.
Self-adhesive slate paper is the simplest, but no less stylish way transform the refrigerator.
8. New color
Bright painting of the refrigerator.
It is better to paint refrigerators with rounded doors as it is very difficult to apply self-adhesive to smooth lines. For a new design, choose any bright color and apply a thin, even layer of paint to the lightly sanded surface of the refrigerator.
9. Unique design
Incredible transformation.
Use matte paint, decorative moldings and one bright vinyl decal to turn a white misunderstanding into an exquisite piece of art.
10. Kaleidoscope of Memories
Family photos on the refrigerator.
Print out all your favorite photos and lavishly decorate your old refrigerator with them.
11. Decoupage
Decoupage of an old refrigerator.
In addition to visual transformation, an old, unsightly refrigerator, thanks to the decoupage technique, acquires improved thermal insulation properties. Since this decor involves covering the surface with several layers of varnish.
12. Wardrobe
Refrigerator, stylized as a wardrobe.
Amazing refrigerator transformation that can be realized using wood panels, moldings and painting.
13. Funny pictures
Refrigerator decor with vinyl stickers.
You can decorate your refrigerator using vinyl stickers, of which there are a huge variety now. A little fabric and rich imagination will make this decor even more interesting.
14. Geometric print
Self-adhesive refrigerator decor.
Several sheets of self-adhesive film different colors Makes it easy to transform an old refrigerator. Cut out letters, circles, stripes, zigzags from it and create your own unique design.
Modern style.
Painting and shiny stickers with funny inscriptions will help make the refrigerator interesting and modern.
16. Creative project
Handmade drawings.
Paint the surface of the refrigerator yourself. These do not have to be highly artistic masterpieces; primitive images of flowers, leaves and feathers are also suitable.
Is your old refrigerator still functional, but very worn out and rusty in places?
Or maybe it seems to you that this large metal “box” does not fit into the interior? Or do you just want to add a little variety to your kitchen?
In this material we will talk about 8 ways to decorate a refrigerator, from DIY painting to decoupage, and also present 80 photo ideas for original modifications.
Method 1. Painting with slate paint and painting with crayons (+ master class)
The slate-coated refrigerator door is perfect place for notes: shopping and to-do lists, recipes and reminders, messages to household members and cute notes. And, of course, it’s very convenient for children to draw on such a “board” while mom cooks. To turn your refrigerator doors into whiteboards, you can choose one of the following four methods:
Method 1. Painting with slate paint. This method is somewhat more complicated than the others and, moreover, it eliminates the possibility of returning the surface to its original form. But you can paint not only the doors, but also the entire body of the equipment with slate paint, and the coating itself will be more durable.
Method 2. Finishing with chalk wallpaper. Chalk wallpaper is easier to work with, and most importantly, it can be peeled off without leaving marks on the surface of the equipment. However, the coating is not very durable and needs to be changed periodically. In addition, it is more difficult to use chalk wallpaper to decorate rounded doors, corners, and to go around handles, displays, and protruding parts when gluing. If you want to cover the entire body, the coating will have visible seams. For this reason, it is best to decorate only the door or part of the door with chalk wallpaper.
Method 3. Attaching a magnetic slate board. This board can be mounted and dismantled as easily as one big magnet, and you can not only draw on it, but also attach small magnets. Most often ready-made magnetic boards are not too large, and it is possible to purchase a large panel only to order.
Method 4. Attaching the slate board to neodymium magnets. This method is good because it allows you not to paint the refrigerator and, if desired, you can easily remove the chalk board.
How so big chalk board hanging on the refrigerator? The secret is simple - several neodymium magnets are glued to its back
Please note that the refrigerator does not have its own handles; its doors open using handles screwed to a chalk board
What you will need:
Thin sheet of plywood (3-6 mm); Slate paint, primer (preferably), paint brush/roller, ditch; Moldings for framing boards; Jigsaw or hand saw; Neodymium magnets with holes for screws (the price of one magnet is about 80 rubles, their number and adhesion strength depend on the weight of the board).
This super magnet, the size of a ruble coin, can easily hold 3 kg of weight.
Screwdrivers (according to the number of magnets), screwdriver; Stickers on furniture legs (they are needed to avoid scratches on the surface of the doors, as well as chips on the magnets themselves. Such stickers are sold in Ikea and hardware stores. If desired, you can glue pieces of thin rubber or fleece-type fabric to the magnets); Furniture handle for each board/door and screws for fastening.
Instructions:
Step 1. We measure the parameters of one or two refrigerator doors.
Step 2. Cut boards from a sheet of fiberboard exactly to the size of the doors.
Step 3. Paint the board with primer and wait for it to dry. Next, apply the first layer slate paint, let it dry, apply the next layer and leave again for the time recommended by the manufacturer. Finally, apply a third coat of paint (optional).
Step 4. While the paint is drying, unscrew the original handles of your refrigerator.
Step 5. We cut and install the moldings on the board (you can use wood glue). If desired, the moldings can be painted.
Step 6. Now we glue a protective pad on each magnet, then screw all the magnets onto reverse side boards. Be careful and strictly (!) follow the rules for working with neodymium magnets.
Neodymium magnets are small magnets, but very powerful. They are sold in special online stores in the most different forms, sizes and capacities (adhesion strength is indicated on the packaging). For our project, flat magnets are suitable so that the gap between the board and the door is not too large. The main thing is that the total adhesive force of the magnets exceeds the weight of your board twice (!), otherwise it will slide down.
Step 7. Hurray! The board is ready. Now we attach furniture handles to it.
Step 8: Now it's time to install the board(s). Try opening each door by pulling the handle, if the board doesn't move and the door opens easily then your project is complete. If you feel that the board is not magnetized to the door tightly enough, add a few more magnets.
Method 2. Vinyl stickers
Vinyl stickers easy to stick and peel off without a trace, they are inexpensive and sold in the most different designs, and therefore they can be changed often according to your mood. For example, they can decorate a refrigerator geometric figures, images of animals, plant and floral motifs, words and phrases.
Vinyl stickers can be purchased at hardware stores, craft stores, various online stores (for example, Aliexpress), and can also be ordered from a printing house. You can cut simple refrigerator stickers with your own hands from self-adhesive paper.
Method 3. Film or magnetic panels with photo printing
Want to turn your refrigerator into a realistic phone booth, a retro soda fountain, or a bottle of your favorite drink? Or maybe you just want to transfer it to the door beautiful photo your authorship? Then your choice is vinyl film or magnetic vinyl (magnetic panel) with photo printing. Both coating options can not only decorate the refrigerator, but also protect its facades from scratches and dirt.
Film with photo printing differs in that it is glued by smoothing it manually or under the influence of warm air(at home this is done with a hairdryer). The latter easily fits even on rounded doors and corners of the refrigerator. Both types of film are suitable for decorating the entire body of equipment.
How to glue a sticker with photo printing on the refrigerator with your own hands? The first step is to degrease the surface with any degreaser or alcohol solution. The handles on the door must first be removed, and other protruding parts should also be removed. Then the film is carefully applied and simultaneously smoothed with some flat object (for example, by bank card), smooth out bubbles and wrinkles. Next, the film is folded along the edges, also smoothed, and the excess is cut off stationery knife. Finally, the handles are screwed into place.
Magnetic panels are flexible sheets of vinyl 0.5 mm thick with a magnetic back side and photo printing on the front side. Essentially, these are just large magnets that are made exactly to the size of the doors (but no more than 60 cm in width). Most often, doors are decorated with magnetic panels, but they can also be used to decorate the sides of the refrigerator. Magnetic vinyl is easy to install and remove without leaving any traces.
Method 4. Painting in a bright color, matching the headset or walls (+ master class)
You can update an old refrigerator or fit appliances into the interior simply by painting it with metal paint. The main thing here is to choose the right color.
If you paint the refrigerator to match the wall or cabinetry, it will seem less bulky. This technique is especially good for small kitchens.
If the interior of your kitchen seems too boring to you, then the refrigerator can be painted in a very bright color.
In a kitchen interior in a retro, country or Provence style, a refrigerator in red or pastel color - powder pink or soft blue - will look great.
The best and easiest way to paint a refrigerator with your own hands is with spray paint. Ideally, it should be particularly resistant alkyd enamel or acrylic paint on metal. Canned paints will also work, but in this case it is important to use a quality paint brush to achieve a perfectly smooth finish.
Instructions:
Step 1. Lightly sand the surface to remove the gloss. If there is rust or chips somewhere, then we also remove them and smooth them out with sandpaper.
Step 2. Clean and degrease the surface with an alcohol solution.
Step 3. Use masking tape to cover everything that we want to protect from painting; cover the refrigerator compartment with film. Don't forget to lay film or newspapers on the floor and open the window.
Step 4. Shake the can well and begin to spray the paint in an even thin layer and let it dry, then apply the second and third coat (if necessary). Remember that instead of one thick coat of paint, it is better to apply two thin ones.
To increase the durability of the paint and make it easier to apply, it is advisable to first coat the surface with a primer.
Step 5. Cover the surface with matte or glossy varnish, which will make the new coating more durable and moisture resistant.
Method 5. Hand painted
Hand painting can turn a refrigerator into a unique art object or simply into a very nice and “animate” piece of furniture. You can paint the technique with paints and brushes, special acrylic markers or airbrushes.
It is better to trust complex compositions to professionals, but you can draw a simple picture with your own hands, use a stencil or masking tape (to create stripes). Here large selection photo simple ideas refrigerator paintings that even a beginner can do.
From this video tutorial you will learn how to decorate an old refrigerator with your own hands using a stencil in the form of a lace tablecloth.
Method 6. Decoupage (+ master class)
Decoupage is a simple and great way update an old refrigerator, adapt it to the interior of a kitchen in a rustic or traditional style, complement hand-painted or decorated with moldings.
Decoupage of Side by side refrigerator
To decoupage the refrigerator you will need:
Multi-layer napkins with the desired print, or better yet, special cards for decoupage (they can be large in size, and the drawings themselves are already compiled into a composition); Scissors; PVA glue; Brushes: flat squirrel (for decoupage and applying varnish) and thin synthetic (for drawing details); Pencil (for marking and sketching); Acrylic paints; Acrylic varnish (matte, glossy or with craquelure effect).
Instructions:
Step 1. Prepare the surface: degrease with an alcohol solution if you plan to glue the design onto a factory finish, or paint the refrigerator in the desired color and wait until the paint dries.
Step 2. Separate the layer with the pattern from the napkin and use scissors to cut out the desired element along the contour. Cut as many pieces as needed.
Step 3. Start gluing the first drawing: apply glue to the underside of it, place it in the desired place, then carefully smooth out bubbles and folds with a brush, remove excess glue damp cloth tamping movements. Next, glue all the other blanks, moving from the center to the edges, starting with large and ending with small elements.
Before gluing the napkins, it is advisable to apply markings to the surface of the door.
Step 4. When the whole composition is in place, draw small parts and contours.
Step 5. Apply matte or glossy varnish to the drawing in two or more layers to give it greater strength and moisture resistance.
More detailed master class For decoupage of a refrigerator in Provence style, watch this video.
Method 7. Decoration with moldings and “carved” parts (+ master class)
If your kitchen is decorated in classic style, then a grandiose project of converting the refrigerator into... an antique sideboard will help you fit a free-standing refrigerator into its interior.
View of an old refrigerator before and after renovation
What you will need for decoration:
Moldings made of wood or PVC; Carved furniture decor made of wood/PVC or stucco molding made of plaster/polyurethane in the shape of a crown, as well as patterned corners (if possible); Saw for cutting moldings; Glue for metal.
What you will need for painting:
Adhesive primer; Chalk paint white(you can make it yourself using recipes from the Internet or buy it, say, from designer Daria Geller); Chalk paint of the main color; Paint brush, 1 round brush 8-7 cm in diameter (useful for both painting and waxing), a medium flat brush (for waxing); Dark-colored wax (can be replaced with a mixture of colorless wax and dark brown paint); The wax is colorless; Painting supplies: film, masking tape etc.
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When it is not possible to radically change the kitchen space, but you really want to, invention and people who have already with my own hands At home everything was turned upside down (in a good way).
It is for such craftsmen website and offers guidance to those for whom the sight of their own white refrigerator in old magnets already causes a nervous tic and terrible melancholy. For you we have found the most simple solutions, which will turn an ordinary refrigerator into the heart of the home and bright element design.
Simple, fast, bright
If you are bored with the usual white refrigerator, then the simplest and fastest solution is to change its color. This can be done using paints, a brush and masking tape.
Striped food keeper jacket
You can dress up your favorite refrigerator in a gold striped suit using the following instructions. All you need is patience and gold tape. If suddenly such adhesive tape is not found in the store, then it is quite possible to use self-adhesive gold film. True, it will have to be measured and cut evenly with a stationery knife.
Instead of purchased stickers - a homemade masterpiece
In order for, for example, a ballerina cat in a real tutu to live in the kitchen, you need to combine self-adhesive paper, a marker, fabric, thread, scissors, a mini magnet and wild imagination. Step-by-step instructions will tell you everything else.
Romantic shabby chic
Lovers of this French style They can easily turn the most ordinary household item into a stylish work of art using paint, glue and a plastic, wooden or polyurethane baguette or molding. You can take an idea for updating an old refrigerator.
The best place for creativity
An ordinary kitchen item can become slate board both for children and adults. Here you can draw, write notes and grocery lists. You can transform your refrigerator using special black paint, which is sold in hardware stores and departments with craft supplies. detailed instructions alterations
When the heart asks for retro
A great idea for lovers of light retro. You just need something that suits your style self-adhesive wallpaper or film and half an hour of free time. Carefully cover the surfaces of the refrigerator like this.
Vinyl stickers that lift your spirits
It's easy to change the mood in the kitchen if you add a little joy to it. The simplest vinyl stickers will help with this; you can choose them to suit every taste. They are very easy to glue, and you can choose a design to suit any interior.
Refrigerator decor is a way out of the situation when old thing doesn't fit in new interior kitchens. If the kitchen is small and the refrigerator needs to be placed in the hallway or even in the room, you also cannot do without appropriate decor. Even if you just want to cheer yourself up, change something and get satisfaction from it, decorating your refrigerator with your own hands is a great solution.
It is known that changing even one detail will help you perceive the entire situation in a new way. If you want changes in the kitchen, the decor of the refrigerator will help with this. There are several options available:
- magnets, magnetic boards;
- digital frames;
- stickers, adhesive film;
- decoupage
After a pleasant summer holiday at sea, winter holidays at a ski resort or abroad, everyone, as a rule, brings home a magnet. Decorate your refrigerator with them and the kitchen will become more fun.
You can cover the entire item from bottom to top or select several zones using magnets as note holders for family members.
Magnetic boards serve a similar purpose: as decoration and as a place for important messages. Digital frames on a magnet - an innovation that allows you to upload 10-20 photos. By attaching such a frame to the most popular place in the kitchen, i.e. on the refrigerator, you will introduce something new and have fun.
Vinyl stickers can turn an ordinary white object into a place where events unfold while the owners are not looking. Here the cat is trying to open the lower compartment, and there is a mouse hanging on the handle or raccoons are stealing from the freezer.
You can paste flowers, butterflies, clouds or spots of a cow, it all depends on the imagination and consent of the family. The adhesive film will make a familiar object unrecognizable. The film can imitate marble, flower meadow or just be plain. With its help, the refrigerator will be transformed beyond recognition, and most importantly, quickly.
When the owner is ready to create, but does not have much money, decoupage will help out. Carefully remove the white part of the four-layer napkin so as not to damage the design. Then apply PVA glue to the back of the picture and attach it to the refrigerator. Carefully straighten out all the folds. After drying, walk around several times acrylic varnish on the surface of the picture. In a similar way, you can decorate the refrigerator using pictures from a magazine or calendar, making a collage. Fabric, fur and quilling are also suitable for applique.
More labor-intensive options
What if you have a desire to decorate your refrigerator, but no experience or imagination? Then you should turn to professionals. In the presence of Money More expensive and labor-intensive decor options are available:
- painting an object;
- art painting;
- airbrush.
If you want to hide yellowness or defects on the surface of an object, you can simply repaint it.
This will give the appearance of the old refrigerator new life, A kitchen interior- zest. Artistic painting will help make any object an integral part of the decor. The smooth transition of the pattern from the wall to the refrigerator will make it a thing in its place. This is especially true when a kitchen item is forced to stand in the room.
Airbrushing can only be done by professionals if you want to see a masterpiece in the form of a painting by a famous artist, a wonderful landscape or telephone booth. At the same time, you can come up with the design of the refrigerator yourself.
As you can see, some changes in life are within our power. Bring some color to the kitchen, the place where the whole family meets every day. Then the mood will probably rise and everyone will want to chat longer at the table. And if the decor was carried out by all family members, it will be doubly pleasant. Best wishes for change!
