Add Sophisticated Leather To Old Furniture Without Hurting A Single Animal

It's often said that one person's trash is another person's treasure. Well, in the following example, it seems that one person's trash faux crocodile leather is the key to an amazing furniture design upgrade. Faux leather is polarizing. Some people love its affordability, likeness to the appearance of real leather, and anti-animal cruelty fabrication process; others believe that it looks cheap in comparison to real leather and that it's not worth the money. 

Regardless of your stance on faux leather, you're sure to be impressed by how easily you can repurpose a sheet of faux leather, using it to create a stylish wall inlay for old furniture and built-ins that'll be nothing short of stunning. Former projects and old remodels sometimes leave us with fabric or other materials that are often forgotten and quickly stuffed into a storage bin in the garage. Remembering these items comes in handy when you're in need of a home upgrade or quick remodel. For example, you can completely transform an empty wood shelf into a textured wall feature (with shelving added) using a faux crocodile leather panel. 

And the great thing about this wall upgrade is that it is relatively simple to do, and doesn't take a lot of time. You can have great success with your old fabrics or materials. There are so many creative ways that you can repurpose your old furniture, and perhaps taking a trip to your garage or basement storage bins can provide you with a treasure trove of inspiration.

For this DIY project, start with a clean faux crocodile panel. Next, cut the leather panel to size (after measuring the shelving's wall). Then, grab a tub of wallpaper adhesive, like Zinsser SureGrip Wallcovering Adhesive, and apply it to the wall inlay using a paintbrush. Finally, lay the panel on the wall and smooth out with your hands to prevent any lumps. If the inlay doesn't have shelving, consider adding some for functional purposes. It's worth noting that you should ensure your wall is already prepped for this installation. 

So, examine your wall for any protrusions such as nails, nicked wallpaper, sockets (Socket Blocker Outlet Covers can help with these), or anything that may result in a bulge when you lay your leather fabric over the wall. Also, you can create another great version of this project by repurposing other fabrics you may have lying around, like faux fur or cowhide. These types of textiles tend to be visually engaging, durable, and can easily be applied to walls or other areas using adhesives or fasteners. Consider using any extra faux crocodile fabric to transform a boring headboard, creating a curated bedroom statement. You can also repurpose faux textiles to serve as picture frames, pillow covers, or to upgrade lackluster mantles that could use a bit of flavor.