3 Easy Ways to Update Your Furniture Hardware

I’m the farthest thing from a tree hugger you’ll ever meet.

You already knew that didn’t you? 

But I do like to re-use and recycle things.

I’m just cheap, really. 

My favorite thing to re-use is furniture hardware.

This is for two reasons.

1. I don’t want to spend money on new, expensive hardware.

See, cheap?

2. I don’t want to have to potentially drill holes for new hardware.

Ok, I’m lazy too. 

These are my three favorite ways to update furniture hardware while doing as little as possible and spending as little as possible.

‘Cause that’s how we roll.

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1. Spray paint

Spray painting your hardware is the cheapest way and probably the easiest way to give it an update. It will only set you back $3 – $5 for a can of paint, but if you are a spray paint fiend like me, chances are you may even have a can laying around the house you can use. I tend to spray paint hardware when I want it to really pop off the furniture piece.

White is actually one of my favorite colors to spray paint hardware – especially when its against bright colors like the nightstand makeover above.

If I want a really bright gold on my furniture hardware, I will spray paint it. The crowning jewel on the magenta dresser above is the gold hardware. If you want a really great gold, go for Design Masters spray paint in Gold Medal. Its one of the best gold spray paints I’ve found.

If you can’t decide what color to spray paint your hardware, white or black is usually a safe option – they go with just about anything.

2. Rub ‘ N Buff

If you want a true metallic look for your hardware, your best bet will be to use Rub ‘N Buff. Rub ‘N Buff is a wax type product that you literally just rub onto your hardware and then buff it to as much of a shine as you would like.

The pulls on the red buffet above went from black to a muted gold with Rub ‘N Buff.

The hardware on my dresser and chest in my master bedroom were in rough condition when I got them. There were a few rusty spots. I didn’t want to spray paint them because I knew that would take away from the beauty of the dresser and chest. Instead, I used a brass colored Rub ‘N Buff and it worked like a charm.

Rub ‘N Buff comes in just about every metallic color under the sun – gold, brass, pewter, bronze, and more.

3. Restore your hardware

Instead of painting or waxing your hardware, it may just need a really good cleaning. I found Bar Keepers Friend about nine months ago, and in all honesty, I consider it a miracle product for hardware. There’s no doubt in my mind they are working some kind of voodoo magic into that little can.

The first time I used it was on this vintage radio turned bar cabinet and I was shocked at just how well it cleaned up the pulls. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Baffling, right? Now, those pulls probably had close to 50 years of grime on them. I’m not kidding. I have a complete how-to here for using Bar Keeper’s Friend.

Do you have any favorite ways to update furniture hardware? 

You might also want to read these posts…

9 Unique Ways to Makeover a Side Table – smart and creative ideas!

The Best Painting Tools for Furniture Refinishing – a list of my tried and true favorite tools for painting furniture.

FAQ: Painting Furniture – got a question about painting furniture? This post probably has the answer.

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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