How To Make Cheap Furniture Look Expensive: FBMP Makeover

Inside: If you’ve ever scored a bargain piece of furniture that looked a little too cheap, you know the challenge of making it work in your home. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how I transformed a Facebook Marketplace console table makeover and share 9 proven tips to make cheap furniture look expensive with easy, budget-friendly updates.

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I hunted high and low for a foyer table to go in the entryway of my new villa. But I was tripped up with three requirements that all seemed to be at odds with each other.

One, it needed to be a great deal. With all the costs of moving into a new home, I didn’t want to spend a lot on a new piece of furniture.

Second, it needed to be shallow, preferably only a foot deep because it was going in the walkway. I didn’t want a piece of furniture blocking the passage or the view from the door to the living space.

And third, it needed not to look cheap. Because it’s not only the first thing you see when you walk through the front door, but it’s also a focal point from the kitchen sink and the dining room.

Every shallow console I saw did look cheap. And dinky. And all the standard-size console tables, buffets, chests, and display cabinets would stick out a lot more than 12 inches.

Feeling like no piece of furniture existed to fulfill all of my conditions, I went back to a consignment store three times to look at a beautiful black chest with long lucite handles from the Dallas Market (where interior designers shop), even though it wasn’t cheap or shallow. I even placed boxes in the entryway that would take up the same space to get a feel for how the chest would work there. It was a big nope.

My FaceBook Marketplace Find Before.

Giving up on the third requirement to fulfill the first two, I continued to scour Facebook Marketplace for something that would suffice. That’s when an extra long, extra shallow console table popped up in my feed. Okay, so it did look cheap before with its metallic silver paint and existing drawer pulls. But it had a unique design on the drawers and a forty dollar price tag. Sold.

I’m thankful for the messed up cheap-looking metallic paint finish or they might have wanted more for it!

The Entry Table Makeover.

This budget makeover shows how even a cheap Facebook Marketplace find can be styled to look like a high-end designer piece.

Inspired by the designer chest from the Dallas Market, I decided to give it a fresh coat of paint in matte black and look for some gorgeous glass and brass pulls to replace the tiny, cheap knobs.

Supplies:

• Dixie Belle Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint in Anchor
• Paintbrush and an artist brush for detail work and crevices
• Multi-use sanding block
• Tack cloth
• Plastic dropcloth
• Gloves

The Step-By-Step Facebook Marketplace Furniture Makeover:

1. First I cleaned the entryway table well with a multipurpose household cleaner with bleach and a wet rag. (And removed all the spider eggs from underneath.😬)

2. I took off the existing hardware and put a piece of painter’s tape over the screw head to hold it in place so I could use the screw as a simple way to pull the drawers in and out while I was painting (I didn’t paint inside the drawers).

3. I gave it a very light sanding just to scuff up the finish a little and smooth out the chipped area. Then I wiped away the sanding dust with a tackcloth.

4. Next it was time for painting. I chose this mineral paint for several reasons. It has a really matte finish so I didn’t have to worry about brush marks and it has a primer already in it. It’s also easy clean up, fast drying, and low odor.

I painted the first coat with a regular paintbrush and used an artist brush to get into the quatrefoil detail crevices. I didn’t go too heavy with the first coat—that’s it after drying in the center photo.

5. When the first coat was dry I painted a second. Then after that was dry I was able to easily spot any silver spots still peeking through and touched those up.

6. And the final step is what really upscaled this furniture—the high-end hardware. Since it only needed four pulls and I saved so much on the furniture itself, I splurged here on Amerock 6-inch real glass and champagne brass handles:

I think they were worth it, like a beautiful piece of jewelry that you’re able to wear every day.

I’m really pleased with this thrifted find’s glow-up and new luxe look. It filled my tall order of being inexpensive, not blocking the walkway, and yet it still looks like a nice statement piece of furniture!

1. Paint It Black (or Neutral) for a High-End Look.

Paint is the fastest and most inexpensive way to transform old or cheap furniture. A coat of black immediately says sophisticated and upscale. I often add black to my decorating palette because it grounds a space and gives it a polished look.

If black feels too bold, choose subdued neutrals like off-white, gray, taupe, or espresso brown. These timeless shades make thrifted furniture look more expensive and help it blend seamlessly into any room.

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2. Add Accent Lighting.

Lighting can instantly elevate cheap or thrifted furniture. Add a battery-operated puck light or strip lighting to a cabinet or bookcase, or mount a small picture light above shelving. A soft glow not only highlights the piece but also makes the whole setup feel high-end.

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3. Style Cheap Furniture with Quality Decor.

One of the easiest tricks to make cheap furniture look expensive is by styling it with more luxurious-looking home decor. A sleek table lamp, a neatly stacked set of books, and a candle or unique accent piece will pull the eye away from the furniture itself. Keep styling simple and classy, and let accessories bring in a pop of color or personality.

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4. Make It Matte.

The finish on furniture makes a huge difference. Glossy finishes often highlight imperfections on inexpensive furniture, while matte or satin finishes hide brush marks and scratches, making pieces look timeless and more expensive. If you’re painting a thrifted piece yourself, stick with matte or eggshell for the most professional-looking results.

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5. Swap Out Cheap Hardware for Stylish Knobs or Pulls.

This is one of the most dramatic but low-effort upgrades. Since you saved money on the furniture itself, invest in quality hardware—think brass, matte black, or crystal knobs and pulls. Updated hardware instantly transforms a dresser, chest, or cabinet into something that looks custom and high-end.

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6. Add Molding or Trim to Budget Furniture.

Cheap furniture often looks basic because it lacks detail. Adding crown molding to a bookcase or framing out the sides of a chest with simple trim can completely change the look. These affordable DIY upgrades give even flat-pack furniture an elegant, custom-built feel.

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7. Remove Tacky or Dated Ornamentation.

Sometimes a piece looks cheap because it has too much going on—appliques, ornate moldings, or dated scrollwork. Removing those extra elements leaves you with clean, modern lines that make your furniture look more current and far more expensive.

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8. Raise Furniture with Legs for a Designer Look.

Low or squat furniture can scream “cheap.” Adding new legs or furniture feet gives it more presence, size, and architectural interest. It’s an easy trick that instantly makes thrifted furniture resemble designer store pieces.

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9. Replace Fabric and Upholstery.

Outdated upholstery is one of the biggest giveaways of cheap furniture. Swapping out old fabrics for a fresh, neutral, and high-quality fabric can completely change the vibe of dining chairs, benches, or ottomans. Look for textures like linen, velvet, or faux leather to create a more upscale appearance.

FAQs: How to Make Cheap Furniture Look Expensive.

What’s the best way to make Facebook Marketplace furniture look high end?
Start with paint and hardware. These two simple updates instantly change a cheap piece into a stylish one.

Can you make laminate or particle board furniture look nice?
Yes! With the right paint and trim and molding, you can disguise laminate and make it look more expensive.

What are the most affordable updates for cheap furniture?
Spray painting hardware, adding trim, or styling with quality decor are the lowest-cost ways to get an upscale look.

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There’s so much wonderful affordable furniture out there begging to be made over. And older pieces are often better quality than what’s being sold new. I hope this little entry table makeover has inspired you to save a piece of not-so-pretty furniture!

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