Rainy Day Flip banner desktop
DIY

Starting small ... turning a forgotten piece into a favourite

There’s something deeply satisfying about rescuing a tired piece of furniture and giving it a new lease on life. Maybe it’s the old chair found at a recycling centre, a bedside table from an op shop or garage sale, or the old stool hiding in the garage. These small furniture pieces are often full of character and full of potential.

RYOBI TEAM Wed, 06/24/2026 - 18:37
IN THIS ARTICLE

Upcycling isn’t about perfection or showroom finishes. It’s about creativity, practicality and learning skills along the way. Small furniture projects are ideal for building confidence, experimenting with techniques and making meaningful improvements without needing a huge workshop or specialist equipment. With the right tools, even modest projects can deliver professional‑looking results. Who knows, they might lead to something bigger.

This is where the RYOBI 18V ONE+ system really shines. Designed with DIYers in mind, the platform offers cordless freedom and tool compatibility that makes scaling up from small projects feel natural rather than intimidating. For furniture upcycling, a tight core of tools can take you from rough rescue to refined result – without clutter or complexity.

In this article, we’ll explore how to upcycle small furniture pieces using four essential RYOBI 18V ONE+ tools: 

Together, they cover cutting, fastening, finishing and upholstery‑style detailing – the foundations of successful furniture transformations.

Starting with the right projects

Smaller furniture pieces are ideal for upcycling because they’re forgiving, flexible and easy to manage in limited space. Items like stools, bedside tables, coffee tables, ottomans, mirrors, small cabinets and shelves allow you to experiment without committing to major structural changes – or a lot of money.

Look past surface scratches, faded finishes and dated colours. What matters most is structural soundness. If the frame is solid and joints are intact (or at least repairable), you have a strong base to work from.

Starting small also means fewer materials, less time pressure and more opportunities to refine your technique. Each project builds familiarity with your tools, making the next one faster, neater and more ambitious.

DIY Project Idea

Upcycled Vintage Chair

Tools for the task

RYOBI 18V ONE+ 165mm Circular Saw

Rainy Day DIY – Circ Saw

From rough to refined

The circular saw is often seen as a ‘big project’ tool, but in furniture upcycling it plays a surprisingly refined role. Whether you’re shortening a table leg, cutting down an old shelf, or creating new top panels from reclaimed timber, a 165mm circular saw offers the depth of cut, control and accuracy small furniture projects demand.

Key features and benefits

  • Compact 165mm blade size 
    Provides excellent visibility and control when working with smaller timber pieces, making it easier to achieve straight, clean cuts without overhandling the material. 
  • Cordless 18V ONE+ operation 
    Allows you to move freely around your workspace, reposition furniture easily and make cuts directly where the project sits – ideal for small or temporary workspaces. 
  • Adjustable depth and bevel settings 
    Enables accurate trimming, resizing and angle cuts, helping you adapt reclaimed materials for a fresh purpose without compromising structural integrity.
View product

RYOBI 18V ONE+ Impact Driver

Rainy Day DIY – Impact Driver

Fastening with confidence 

If there’s one tool that quietly changes how furniture projects feel, it’s the impact driver. Upcycling often involves removing very old fixings, reinforcing joints, adding braces or rebuilding sections that have loosened over time. An impact driver makes these jobs faster and more controlled than a traditional drill driver. 

An impact driver delivers rotational force in short, powerful bursts. This reduces cam‑outs (screw head stripping), limits wrist strain and helps drive screws cleanly – especially into older hardwoods.

Key features and benefits 

  • High‑torque impact mechanism 
    Drives screws securely into old and new timber, making it ideal for reinforcing frames, fixing rails and stabilising furniture joints. Great for loosening fasteners that have remained in situ for years. 
  • Quick‑change hex chuck 
    Speeds up bit changes during assembly and disassembly, keeping workflows efficient when alternating between removal and fastening tasks. 
  • Compact, lightweight design 
    Improves access inside cabinets, beneath tabletops and around tight corners, allowing accurate work without awkward positioning.
View product

RYOBI 18V ONE+ Random Orbital Sander

Rainy Day DIY – Orbital Sander

Where the transformation truly begins 

Most professionals will attest that the finish depends on the preparation. With that in mind, never underestimate how important sanding is – it’s the step that most dramatically affects the final look and feel of an upcycled piece. Stripping old finishes, smoothing rough timber and preparing surfaces for paint or stain all rely on consistent, controlled sanding.

A random orbital sander excels at this because it moves in a dual‑motion pattern that reduces visible swirl marks while removing material efficiently. For furniture, this balance between speed and finesse is critical.

Key features and benefits 

  • Random orbital sanding action 
    Delivers a smooth, even finish that’s ideal for visible furniture surfaces, minimising sanding marks and uneven patches. 
  • Hook‑and‑loop sanding pads 
    Makes changing grits quick and simple, pre-cut sizes reduce waste, maintains good grip between sander and sanding pad. 
  • Integrated dust management 
    Helps keep your workspace cleaner and your finish more consistent, reduces air-borne dust (especially important when working indoors or on detailed pieces).
View product

RYOBI 18V ONE+ 10mm Crown Stapler

Rainy Day DIY – Crown Stapler

Detail work that lifts the entire piece 

Having the right tools for the job is often the secret to success, and a crown stapler is one of those tools that plays a powerful role in finishing and detailing. From attaching backing boards and securing fabric to fixing trims and lightweight panels, it enables fast, neat fastening with minimal visual impact and with little expertise required.

This is especially valuable when refurbishing stools, ottomans, benches or pieces that include fabric, cane or flexible materials.

Key features and benefits

  • Compatible with 10mm crown staples 
    Offers a strong hold for thin materials like fabric, backing boards and light timber without splitting or surface damage. 
  • Cordless 18V ONE+ power 
    Removes the need for manual stapling force, delivering consistent results with less effort and better accuracy. 
  • Controlled staple placement 
    Helps achieve tidy, professional finishes on visible edges and concealed panels.
View product

Getting your ducks in a row: A typical upcycling workflow 

A small furniture upcycling project often follows a simple rhythm: 

  1. Assess and disassemble 
    Use the impact driver to remove old fixings and separate components where needed. 
  2. Resize or modify parts 
    Trim legs, tops or panels with the circular saw to improve proportion or function. 
  3. Refine and prepare surfaces 
    Sand thoroughly with the random orbital sander, progressing through grits to suit paint, stain or natural finishes. 
  4. Reassemble and reinforce 
    Rebuild with intention, using the impact driver for secure fastening and alignment. 
  5. Finish and detail 
    Attach backing boards or fabric elements with the crown stapler for a clean, complete look. 

This approach keeps projects manageable and avoids the overwhelm that can come from trying to do everything at once. 

 

Small projects can easily lead to something bigger 

Upcycling small furniture pieces is often where confidence begins. It’s where mistakes feel manageable, creativity feels encouraged and skills build naturally with every project completed. Using RYOBI 18V ONE+ tools makes that progression even more achievable. With a shared battery system and tools designed to feel intuitive rather than intimidating, each project becomes less about learning the tool and more about refining your ideas.

Tags
Back to Inspiration Hub
Share

DISCOVER DIY

Projects for the home

Feeling creative but lacking ideas? We’ve got you covered! Watch our videos and follow the step-by-step instructions to unleash your creativity.

Explore