Try to look at those pieces of furniture that you want to push right out a second story window in a new way. A couple coats of paint, and a change of setting might turn what you see as an eyesore into a gem. You might save a bundle by not having to pay for a replacement, and you might also tap into a creative side that you long ago lost touch with. And, should you not transform an old cabinet into a delightful new looking one, then you can rest easy knowing it is time for it to move on to a charity chop, and a new abode.
It may be preferable to start small with this activity. A good jumping off point might be to take a forlorn looking ottoman and to redress it with a slipcover. While not everyone knows that there are slipcovers for footstools and ottomans, I am here to tell you there are, and that they can aid in fantastic transformations.
Once you have one accomplishment under your belt, move on to whitewashing a dresser, or end table and adding some detail with stencils art. This is a great chance to be playful with color, shapes, and paint. Then, after the woodwork is shiny and new, replace the handles, or pulls to complete the project.