Better Than Painting | A Simple DIY Furniture Covering Project Explained

If you enjoy the idea of taking something old and making it look new when it comes to furniture, there is a good chance that you have had your fair share of spray paint and spray brushes. But what if you could create an incredible piece of modern furniture with something outdated and never touch a can of spray paint? With a little instruction, some good glue, and heavy industrial rope, that is just what you can do. 

Getting Started with Rope Covered Furniture

There are a lot of furniture pieces that can be effectively covered with rope. Tables, ottomans, and even chairs and stools. However, if the furniture that you are trying to cover is not solidly constructed, without a lot of turns and corners, you will have a harder time completing this DIY project.  The first time you try your hand at furniture covering with heavy industrial rope, start with a small, rounded piece, such as a small ottoman or round table with a single pedestal for support. 

Choosing Your Supplies 

The supplies that you use for rope-covered furniture pieces will be crucial to the success of the project. You can gather most of what you will need at a local hardware or retail store, such as industrial-grade adhesive, sandpaper, and garden shears for cutting the rope. However, the rope that you will want to use for furniture covering will be best purchased from a heavy industrial rope supplier in your area, such as Redden Net & Rope marine rope, or online. You can choose different rope sizes depending on your own preferences, but sticking with rope that is less than a half inch in diameter will generally make the project easier to tackle. Plus, the glue will hold better if the rope is not super heavy. 

Beginning the Rope Covering Process

Before you start adding rope to your chosen piece of furniture, it should be completely cleaned and dry. Otherwise, you could see issues with the adhesive sticking to the surface of your furniture. If you are using a wooden piece, it is best to sand any finished surface slightly just to create texture for a better bond. Working your way from the top of your furniture to the bottom is the most simple process, as this will give you a way to hide loose ends when you are through. Begin with one small section of glue on the furniture itself and then slowly coil or wrap the rope in the desired direction, continuing to add more adhesive as you go along. Continue this process until your furniture is completely covered. 

When done properly, a piece of rope-covered furniture can add a lot of designer appeal to any space. The more you try this project, the easier it will become to create dramatic designs and pieces using just simple industrial rope and a little glue. 

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