5 budget-friendly easy upcycles

You don’t have to paint an entire room to change the look and feel of a space, as these five quick and easy micro makeovers reveal, from a flatpack bookshelf and cabinet to a bench and feature wall – plus a bedside table.

With a little imagination, you can upcycle what you already have to make the old new again, and all without breaking the bank.

The secret to such effortless transformations? Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-surface with a 2-in-1 formula including paint and primer that can be applied directly to a range of bare and previously painted surfaces, including wood, metal, melamine and MDF. It’s water-based and quick-drying, meaning it couldn’t be more effortless, either.

Better still, small refreshes such as these are perfect for using up any paint you may have left over from bigger projects, while being a great way of adding personality to rented property if you’re not permitted to go all-out.

Crack open a tin and get creative.

Bedside manner

Recreate the style of a boutique hotel from the comfort of home by turning an ordinary bedside table into something truly extraordinary. Here, we’ve painted the top third in sophisticated Rich Black and picked out the legs in sunny Honey Nut. Thanks to Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-surface, there was no need to prime before painting, enabling us to apply colour directly to the surface. To achieve ‘dipped’ legs, simply fold masking tape just above where you want the effect to end, then paint the lower-half of each leg before allowing to dry and removing the tape. Five-star rating, guaranteed. Style with a glamorous lamp, statement accessory and flickering candle.

Read our comprehensive guide to achieving the ‘dipped’ leg effect here.

In the frame

Tired old frames anything but pretty as a picture? Transform them quickly and easily by giving them a coat of colour in Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-surface with 2-in-1 paint and primer that means it can be applied directly to bare surfaces. We’ve gone tonal with ours by painting them in decadent Ink Well and hanging against a complementary backdrop of luxurious Teal Voyage. Make yours pop by adding playful artwork inside each frame and hanging at different heights.

Split decision

Flatpack furniture doesn’t need to look off-the-shelf when you can easily turn it into something bespoke with a splash of colour. Here, we’ve transformed this plain bookshelf into a brilliant room divider that zones a bedroom without having to paint the walls. We’ve used soft Fresh Foliage for the furniture itself and vibrant Coral Charm and deep Decadent Damson for the plant pots and filing folders to add further interest. Everything was painted in Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-surface so colour could be applied directly to the surfaces without priming first. Trailing plants, cherished books and decorative accessorises complete the look.

Wonder wall

Working from home doesn’t have to be dull as the bright and beautiful colour in this home office demonstrates. Offset against warm walls in Egyptian Cotton, we’ve painted fun squares of energetic Coral Charm in Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-surface inside the mounted shelf, complemented with clean stripes in Boho Blush on the walls either side (because of its 2-in-1 formula, there was no need to prime before painting, while its quick-drying technology ensured the project was completed in a flash). The result? A space that’s sure to provide something inspiring to stare at when brainstorming creative ideas. Just add plants, knick-knacks, books and a statement lamp to bring it all together.

Spa star

Bathroom giving you the blues? Turn that frown upside down by transforming a lacklustre cabinet into a luxurious one befitting of your morning routines and evening rituals. Using Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-surface – which features technology that paints and primes at the same time – we’ve painted ours in warming Perfectly Taupe to afford it the high-end look of a spa hotel. Teamed with walls in invigorating Dewy Lawn using Dulux Easycare Bathroom – which is steam- and moisture-resistant to keep bathrooms looking their best for longer – the result is a serene and tranquil space for much-needed ‘you time’. The addition of hanging plants, wooden stool and wicker storage make it somewhere you really want to retreat to.

Browse our collection of ready-mixed colours for the most popular shades, or take a sample in-store to have it matched then mixed, just for you.

See how shortlisted hues will look in your home with our convenient Roller Testers; easy Peel & Stick Samples; or free Visualizer app.

Inspired? Share your painted ceiling by tagging ‘Dulux UK’ on social – you could feature on our Instagram, Facebook and TikTok pages.