I thought our bedroom was finished. New curtains, a new chandelier, beautiful bedding, a wall unit filled with things I love. And yet every time I walked in something nagged at me quietly. It took me a while to identify it but eventually I did — the hardware. Those small black knobs and thin pulls were whispering that this furniture came in a flat pack box and no amount of styling was going to change that. Until Amerock.
Here is what I learned and I want you to hear this because it genuinely surprised me. Sometimes the smallest decorating changes make the biggest impact. While I had been thinking I might need to replace the furniture entirely, the truth was far simpler and far more affordable. Upcycling furniture with new hardware, beautiful gold hardware with decorative backplates, completely transformed the pieces I already had. The result was more elegant, more timeless and more custom than anything I could have bought new at that price point.
Today I’m sharing how this simple upgrade completely changed the look of my bookshelves and nightstands and why changing hardware is one of my favorite ways to upcycle furniture.
Why I Decided to Upcycle My Furniture
As you probably know, my husband and I have done several renovations and moved from home to home throughout our marriage. Our master bedroom is always the last room to be completed but about a year ago we made a pretty good attempt at getting it done with a new chandelier, drapery, bedding, a wall unit for storage and wide night stands. You can read all about the budget bedroom makeover here.
While it was a great improvement, it still was lacking something. I am very satisfied with the storage and organization that the furniture pieces have provided us with, but they are quite bland. The hardware is simple with small black drawer knobs and thin black cabinet pulls. The furniture does not look custom but rather out of a box (as it is) so no surprise there. As a package (furniture & hardware) this combination was not elevated enough to match the elegant Hampton style I have going on through the rest of the house.
As I am happy with the functionality of the wall unit and side tables, the logical solution is to replace the hardware.
You will see later on that it was the best decision I could make and I am so pleased with the result. I cannot wait to show you! But you will have to wait just a little bit longer.
Why Hardware Makes Such a Dramatic Difference
After working with Amerock to replace my kitchen and bathroom hardware, I learned that hardware is like a women’s jewelry. It is the finishing touches that can make a significant difference in the overall look.
Just take a look at the difference it made when we mixed metals and added golden champagne hardware to our kitchen.
and clear ethereal looking hardware to our primary bathroom. Isn’t it stunning?
After reflecting on the difference quality hardware made to our kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanity, I decided to reach out to Amerock and see if they would work with me again. I was thrilled when they said yes! Not only do they create beautiful designs and the quality is exceptional, they also offer excellent information on their website to help you make decisions and teach you how to install the hardware properly. All around, Amerock is my first choice for cabinetry hardware.
I had no doubt that Amerock’s beautiful hardware would be able to make my inexpensive furniture look like designer furniture but I also needed to choose the right hardware and finish.
Just to be very clear, this post was created in partnership with Amerock. While the hardware was gifted all opinions are my own. I would never lead you astray and will always be truthful.
Choosing the Right Hardware: What to Consider
One of the things that I love about Amerock is that they have a Product Selector Tool to help you. First you let them know what type of project you are working on.
Then they walk you through the styles.
And lastly you pick the shape.
Here are the factors I feel are important when choosing new cabinet handles:
Size:
When you are working with cabinetry that has pre-existing hardware you will need to pick hardware that matches the screw holes so that you don’t have to fill the old holes. The first thing to do is to measure from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other and then you can specify that size so that their website only shows you hardware that will fit.
Finish:
My love for our hardware in our kitchen has remained the same since we completed that project so I knew Golden Champagne was my top choice for finish. I want to bring the warmth that it brought to our kitchen to our bedroom. Our master bedroom is quite neutral and could benefit with some warmer metal tones. Golden Champagne is the perfect gold in my opinion. It is subdued and so classic. It is not brassy or “too gold” if you know what I mean. It has the perfect vintage warmth that complements the Hampton style.
It would also work perfectly with the tone of the furniture as well as the new chandelier. The things it wouldn’t work with are the lamps on our nightstands because they had silver accents but that was ok because I wanted to replace them anyhow.
Style:
For our project, I wanted something that was slightly traditional and if possible had a bit of a coastal feel to ensure that my Hampton styling kept flowing through the house. I required only 4 pulls for the cabinet doors but many knobs for all the drawers. As you have seen the knobs that the furniture came with were quite small. Something slightly larger was required.
When I opened the Amerock site, I noticed something immediately that was new…BACKPLATES!!! I was so excited because I knew this would completely elevate the furniture. Backplates bring nostalgia and a vintage type feel. Exactly what I was going for. They also reminded me of the beautiful hardware you see on luxury boats or old steamer trunks that travellers used when they crossed the ocean so many years ago. They were going to be perfect for my Hampton style requirement.
With a little help from the staff at Amerock, I chose Winsome pulls and knobs and Maymont backplates. I went with Winsome because they were very close to our kitchen pulls which I love, but they had a little more detail at the base which I thought would be interesting on the furniture. Just those additional features are wonderful to have when you are trying to dress up modest furniture.
The backplates have a ridge just inside from the outside edge to give them even more detail. I did not want something flat because that would give my furniture a more modern look which was not what I was hoping for.
One thing I have to tell you is that just holding the hardware in your hand you will notice the quality. For one they are heavy. These are not some cheap light weight pieces, they are strong and well constructed with quality materials. Secondly, every one of them is perfect. There are no flaws, no scratches or dents. When they are shipped to you, each piece is in a small bag of flexible styrofoam and then inside a plastic bag. There is no chance they are getting scratched or damaged.
The Installation
As I was using the pre-existing screw holes, the install was incredibly easy. All I needed was a small Phillips screwdriver and a small level.
Step 1 — Remove the old hardware. Unscrew the existing knobs and pulls and set aside.
Step 2 — Choose the length of screws. Amerock provides you with two different lengths of screws which is very handy as the depth of the wood on the furniture can vary. My furniture has a flat panel for the top drawer and recessed panels for the bottom two drawers which require a shorter screw. Slide the appropriate length screw through the hole so that it is sticking out the front of the drawer.
Step 3 – Attach the backplate. Slide the backplate over the screws.
Step 4 — Attach the pull or knob. Thread the cabinet pull or cabinet knobs onto the screws from the front and tighten slightly. Place your level against the side or bottom of the back plate to make sure it is straight. Then tighten the screws more but not so tightly that you crack the wood.
Step 5 — Step back and admire. Wow!!! I was so impressed with how this turned out.
The Reveal
Elegant, classy, unique and beautiful! Simply perfect! They were the perfect size and style for the wall unit and nightstands.
I am thrilled that Amerock has added backplates to their collection because I think they are what truly brought the rich Hampton style to life.
Not only was I happy with the finished product, my whole family was.
As you know my whole family loves quality pieces and great workmanship. These pulls, knobs and backplates are extraordinary.
This hardware too our inexpensive furniture and made it look like it is out of a designer showroom!
Cost Breakdown and Value Assessment
In case you were interested, here is a breakdown of the cost of the furniture and hardware:
Wall system $1,119.42 USD
End tables $192.22 USD each
Winsome 3.75″ pulls $15.10 USD each
Winsome knobs $12.58 USD each
Backplates for pulls $10.58 USD each
Backplates for knobs $8.22 USD each
Could You Do This to Any Furniture?
The answer is YES!!! Whether it be a desk, vanity, china cabinet, credenza, filing cabinet, storage unit, old furniture of any kind, you name it, it can be upcycled and hardware is one tried and true way to improve the appearance.
It isn’t always just that we want the piece to look more expensive or from a high end boutique, another reason could be that we want to add more character or make it so unique and not like anything else out in the world. Something that speaks to us each time we see it or makes it fit in perfectly for the space.
Here is an example of when I took a chest of drawers I found on Facebook Marketplace and give it a makeover including a coat of paint, new ceramic knobs and a rose vine rub on transfer so that it would be perfect for my greenhouse. Click here for all the details.
Is Upcycling Furniture Really Worth It?
The answer again is YES!!! There are many reasons why such as:
- versatility – finding the piece you want (ie drawers with shelves above) can be the easy part but finding it with the exact finish or hardware is far more difficult. Keeping in mind that you can swap out the hardware makes the search easier with so many more options available.
- personal style – let’s face it my style isn’t everyone’s style and neither is yours but who cares right? Let’s get what we want and what makes us happy. If you love bright colors paint the piece of furniture to your favorite color and add colorful hardware. It is all about making our homes a reflection of our personality and making them a place that we are surrounded with pieces that make our hearts sing!
- custom look – this one is one of my favorite reasons. I do enjoy trends but I would prefer to be the trendsetter or really just do my own thing. Upcycling furniture is one of the best ways to get a custom look in your home. Isn’t it more fun to make it look like a piece of furniture was built specifically for your home?
- cost savings – finding the piece of furniture at a lower price and adding beautiful hardware is the perfect way to dress it up without breaking the bank. This way you can attend to other projects by saving money on this project.
Take a look at the before and afters and I think you will agree.
Lessons learned
Working with Amerock on this project taught me so many valuable things that I want to share with you:
- backplates can make a substantial difference;
- I still adore the finish ‘Golden Champagne’;
- inexpensive furniture with beautiful hardware beats expensive furniture with generic hardware;
- just swapping out hardware can make an inexpensive piece look custom, unique, and elegant;
- changing out hardware is really easy (I didn’t need any help for this one); and
- you do not need to spend a fortune to make something look expensive, you just need to make the right finishing choices!
Upcycling furniture doesn’t always require paint, stain, or major renovations. Sometimes a simple hardware upgrade is all it takes to completely transform the look of a room. Replacing the original pulls with elegant golden champagne hardware gave my furniture a timeless, custom appearance that feels much more luxurious than its original price would suggest.
If you’re looking for an easy weekend project with a big visual impact, upgrading your furniture hardware is one of the simplest ways to refresh your home without replacing the pieces you already love.
I hope you enjoyed this project of how to make cheap furniture look expensive!
A Quiet Thought
Sometimes we think we need to replace everything before our home can feel beautiful. Yet I’ve found that small changes often have the greatest impact—not only in decorating, but in life. A new piece of hardware, a vase of fresh flowers, or a lit candle won’t solve every problem, but they can remind us that beauty often begins with paying attention to the little things.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a home that feels beautiful and peaceful.
Thank you
Thank you so much for stopping by Sweet Valley Acres today. I hope this project inspires you to create something beautiful in your own home.
