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How to glue an old refrigerator with your own hands. Updating the refrigerator outside - how to change the color. We decorate the refrigerator under natural stone

Fridge. It seemed like a simple thing. We are accustomed to seeing it white or gray, in extreme cases black. And it’s completely strange to see a refrigerator in red, not to mention its decor. It turns out that this item is also subject to design transformation. In addition to the usual magnets brought back from vacation, you can apply airbrushing, decoupage technique, use all your creative abilities, and turn the refrigerator into a real work of art or expand its functions in the kitchen.

The refrigerator can be glued completely, it will look very beautiful

You can stick this poster on the refrigerator door

Here's a funny sticker you can stick on the refrigerator

DIY fridge decor

Decorating a fridge is no easy task. That's why it's honorable. What you decide to do depends on your creativity. Draw: glue, sculpt, paint - we will pick up ideas for every taste, depending on the level of proficiency in tools.

Before we get started, let's take a look at the preparation. First you need to prepare the basis for decorating. To do this, wash the surface and wipe dry. Most refrigerators are plain, so the preparation stage is over at this point. Next, pick up the selected tools and start creating.

Phone booths are very popular in the decor of refrigerators.

Refrigerator in the form of a telephone booth looks very cool

decor ideas

Here are some decor ideas for you. Design possibilities depend on what materials we choose.

materials used	possible design
	art painting, airbrushing, painting	the opportunity to show imagination, create your own style	airbrushing is an expensive procedure, low-quality paint can jeopardize health
	storage organizer	the ability to store small things - "at hand"	fabric is not a practical and easily soiled material for the kitchen, it quickly gets dirty
	pasting the surface with vinyl film, the use of stickers	surface protection refrigerator Ease of use	may not hold well surfaces
	magnetic boards, decoration with magnets brought as a souvenir from other countries	practical use as a writing board	over time, the magnet can deteriorate, not supporting the weight
	photographs, notepad, crafts made by hand (attached with a magnet)	the opportunity to create a cozy atmosphere and a kaleidoscope of memories	paper darkens over time, may curl from temperature changes

You can decorate the refrigerator yourself

A great idea would be to make a refrigerator in the form of a telephone booth

Refrigerator doors can be pasted over like this poster

Aerography

Let's start with the most difficult. For this type, a special airbrush tool is used, and the artist also uses brushes for detailed drawing of small details. If you have the talent and experience, as well as the necessary tools and special paint, you can create this design yourself. However, it is better to entrust the matter to a professional. The procedure is expensive, but you will get a real work of art that fits perfectly into the overall design of the room.

Before applying the pattern to the surface, it is modeled using computer graphics. Your help is needed here. To avoid disagreements regarding small details, location and colors, it is better to create a layout of the future image together with the master.

Landscape stickers look very nice

You can stick these funny stickers on the refrigerator

Art painting

In this case, the artist uses a regular brush, and not the spray method, as in the previous one. Therefore, creating it with your own hands is much easier. If you have an outstanding artistic talent, you can realize the most daring ideas.

Use acrylic or spray paint as a base. Different types of paint are suitable for different techniques. It is better to paint graffiti with an aerosol, while it is better to draw small details with a brush using acrylic paint. Upon completion of the work, the drawing must be covered with a layer of varnish. This procedure will help to keep the design longer, as well as add depth and volume.

Even the simplest things will perfectly complement the decor.

Galaxy fridge looks very nice

If you can draw, you can paint the refrigerator yourself

stickers

We move from complex to simple. Decorative stickers are suitable for any room. At the moment there are a huge number of them, and you can choose any to your taste. It is also possible to create custom stickers according to the selected pattern.

This design can replace art painting in such a way that it will be difficult to distinguish between techniques. There are a number of 3D stickers that can turn the refrigerator into a separate world. So you can easily “settle” a pet in the kitchen, “build” a fireplace, “create” a sea beach and just a cozy or cheerful atmosphere.

The refrigerator can be pasted over with completely different stickers

Refrigerator doors can be painted

Film

Another alternative to painting, as well as stickers, is decorative film. It will be even easier with her. No need to create a combination of stickers and figure out how to place them. It is enough to purchase a film of the appropriate size and paste over the refrigerator with it, placing it over the entire area.

There are also many options for vinyl film. You can choose an existing plot, purchase a plain film, or with any pattern. You also have the opportunity to order large-format printing on film, applying your favorite pattern or your own photos to it.

In the option to completely cover the refrigerator with a film, there is also a practical side. This coating is dense and will protect the surface from scratches. Periodically, you can change the film or remove it completely, and your refrigerator will have a new look without scratches and chips.

Special stickers can be stuck on the door

You can decorate the refrigerator with magnets

You can stick special stickers on the refrigerator door

magnets

Everyone's favorite magnets are still popular. You may have seen a lot of "stuck" magnets on the refrigerator in friends' houses. But bringing memories from the sea, sealed in this magnet, you can create a work of art from them, and not just “stick” them on the refrigerator.

An interesting idea would be to attach in a new city or country with a magnet brought from there. This option is more interesting and symbolic than just placed magnets.

It is also convenient to use magnetic boards. They are quite light and simply attached to the iron surface. There are different sizes, formats and designs. You can choose from a magnetic whiteboard framed in Victorian or Baroque style. Or vice versa in a cheerful frame with funny faces. Such a solution would also be practical. Here you can post notes, a to-do list, or products, as well as leave messages to your loved one, children or parents.

Refrigerator decor can be done as you like

Unusual refrigerator decoration

Making an organizer

Continuing the thought of the practical transformation of the refrigerator, we offer another idea: the creation of an organizer on the surface of this appliance.

It can be a do-it-yourself organizer for storing various little things. This will require:

canvas made of strong fabric;

several pieces of the same or different fabric;

• magnetic hooks.

Very cool phone booth fridge decor idea

The hearts on the fridge look beautiful

You can stick these stickers on the refrigerator door

Making an organizer is easy. Sew several pockets onto the existing fabric of the selected size. Hem all corners and cuts so that the threads do not fray. You can decorate it with various stickers and photos. In these pockets, place the little things you need in the kitchen: note paper, a pen, pencil, scissors, a lighter and other details you need.

For fastening, make two loops on the back of the organizer and purchase hooks that are fixed to the refrigerator with magnets. If you get tired of the organizer, you can then hang kitchen towels on these hooks.

The refrigerator can be glued like this

You can stick large stickers on the refrigerator door

There is also an electronic organizer. It looks like a tablet. Attaches to the fridge with a magnetic case. It is also a convenient solution. You can create audio or written reminders, watch videos or listen to music while cooking, read messages left by other family members.

New technologies are bursting into the modern design of refrigerators, simplifying the implementation of some tasks.

Video: Refrigerator decoration

For most families, a refrigerator is an integral part of the kitchen interior. Over the years, its appearance undergoes changes not for the better, so the housewives begin to think about restoring the unit. There are many design solutions for the design of the refrigerator, each of which can give the interior a special mood. In this article you will find information about the various types of decor and the features of doing it yourself.

The question of transforming the appearance of an aggregate arises in the following cases:

• kitchen renovation, including a radical change in its interior;
• dilapidated walls, doors of the unit;
• the desire to bring bright colors to the design of the kitchen.

The main idea of ​​the decor is to create a holistic image of the room that matches the chosen style. Therefore, design ideas should take into account the combination of the refrigerator with the rest of the kitchen details (furniture, appliances, walls, floor). If his appearance is very different, then he will look ridiculous.

Depending on the skills of the owners, the amount of money they plan to spend on decor, there are the following ways to update the appearance of the refrigerator:

• decoupage;
• painting (applying various patterns, drawings to the body);
• painting;
• fixing magnets;
• decoration with wallpaper or stickers.

A simple option for decorating a refrigerator is the placement of magnets on its door or walls. This method does not require special skills and time-consuming. The most difficult way to transform the appearance of the unit is decoupage, but the result will be the most original.

Attention! Before you start decorating, purchase all the necessary materials, defrost, wash and dry the refrigerator. If necessary, clean the old paint and degrease the surface with a special tool.

DIY decoupage

The decoration technique is based on attaching an ornament, picture or drawing to a refrigerator and varnishing the resulting composition in order to preserve it and give it a special visual effect.

Do-it-yourself decoupage of the refrigerator is carried out using the following materials:

• multilayer napkin, stencils with drawings or patterns;
• glue for decoupage;
• acrylic paints (used to create the background and draw the borders of the picture);
• matte or glossy varnish;
• brushes of different sizes;
• scissors;
• sponge or rag.

These items can be easily bought at hardware stores or needlework shops.

Attention! Restoring a refrigerator using this method requires certain skills, so it is initially recommended to master the technique on other objects with a similar surface.

The pattern is selected in accordance with the interior style, its shades should be combined with the overall color scheme of the kitchen. This will allow the unit to look harmonious in the room. In the absence of the necessary decorative print, it is created independently in a graphic editor. Printing stencils is advised to be carried out only on a laser printer. Under the influence of moisture, the ink of the inkjet printer will spread over the surface of the unit, forming ugly spots.

The decor of the refrigerator by the application method is carried out mainly in the following styles:

• provence;
• retro (vintage);
• shabby chic.

Provence refers to varieties of the French style. It got its name in honor of the southern province due to the presence of warm colors that convey the atmosphere of rural life in the region. Design in the Provence style does not involve the use of the brilliance of expensive metals, it is saturated with comfort and romance. The advantage in the color scheme is given to beige, white, light blue and green shades. The drawings usually depict vases with flowers, fruits, bottles of wine on the windows overlooking the sea, vineyards.

Retro style involves decorating the refrigerator with applications that create the effect of being in past centuries. The color scheme can be pastel (romantic) or a combination of dark and beige tones (from brown to beige). Applications may include drawings of vintage cars, celebrity portraits, and landscapes of past buildings.

Shabby chic style is considered gentle, romantic and cozy. In translation, its name means shabby chic, so it suggests a combination of light casualness with cute and bohemian luxury. The scuffed effect is created using acrylic paint, and then drawings of exquisite vases with beautiful flowers, usually light pink or beige, are glued on. Additionally, images of birds, butterflies may be present.

Master class on refining the refrigerator using decoupage:

• the surface is treated with dishwashing detergent or an alcohol solution;
• using paint create the desired background;
• remove the backing from the drawing;
• cut out the required number of patterns or pictures with scissors;
• glue the wrong side of the selected element with glue and apply it to the right place, carefully smoothing the folds with a brush;
• glue residue is removed with a damp cloth, usually starting with large parts of the composition, for convenience, marking the surface with a pencil;
• the contours are drawn with paint, if necessary, unnecessary elements are painted over or the desired patterns are drawn;
• apply at least 2 layers of varnish on the application, which will increase its moisture resistance.

When creating a print on plain paper on your own, it is pre-coated with several layers of acrylic varnish. After drying, the picture is left for some time in water so that the paper base lags behind. Then the print is laid out on a towel with the image down, carefully separated. A thin acrylic film with a pattern should remain, which is glued to the refrigerator.

Mounting magnets

There is nothing easier than restoring the unit with the help of magnets. They can be purchased at any souvenir shops, many have photos on this basis. Fans of experiments will find instructions on the Internet on how to make magnets with their own hands:

• take salt dough;
• give it the necessary shape (various products, flowers);
• dried in the oven;
• decorate the craft in accordance with the color scheme characteristic of the prototype of the souvenir;
• glue the resulting figure to the magnet with glue.

Magnetic boards and tapes are widely used in decorating refrigerators. The advantages of this decoration are as follows:

• choice of different sizes, colors and patterns;
• material flexibility;
• ease of care
• the ability to use boards for drawing, applying messages, recipes;
• easy assembly and dismantling;
• small thickness;
• low price.

A variation of this type of decor is a slate board with neodymium magnets. You can make it yourself:

• measure the parameters of the refrigerator in places where the board will be fixed;
• a decorative object is cut out of a fiberboard sheet, taking into account the dimensions of the door or walls of the unit;
• cover the board with a primer;
• after drying, a layer of slate paint is applied (the action must be performed 3 times after a certain period of time);
• mount moldings (overhead strips) with wood glue, necessary for framing the board;
• glue a protective pad on each magnet, and then screw them with screws to the back of the board.

Then the object is hung on the refrigerator and the strength of its fastening is checked.

Attention! The number of magnets is selected in such a way that their total adhesion force exceeds the weight of the board by 2 times, otherwise it will constantly slide down.

How to change the color of the refrigerator with your own hands

Applying paint on metal helps to fit the old unit into a new interior or update its appearance. The main condition for such a transformation of technology is the selection of the right color. With a small kitchen, it is advised to paint the refrigerator to match the furniture or wall, so it will seem less cumbersome. If you want to bring freshness to the interior or the location of the room in the dark part of the house, bright colors are chosen.

To decorate the refrigerator, you will need the following materials:

• brushes of different sizes;
• primer;
• masking tape, surface degreaser;
• sandpaper;
• paint (it is recommended to use acrylic, which has high elasticity, water resistance and is able to hold well on a vertical surface);
• matte or glossy varnish.

Attention! Painting is carried out in a well-ventilated area, since the components that make up the paints provoke poisoning when evaporating.

Instructions for changing the color of the refrigerator with your own hands:

1. Sand and degrease the surface of the unit.
2. Cover with masking tape the parts of the refrigerator that do not need to be painted.
3. The camera is covered with film.
4. Spread newspapers on the floor around the refrigerator and open the window.
5. Apply a primer, which will facilitate the application of paint and increase its durability.
6. When using a spray can, shake it well, spray the paint evenly over the surface of the unit. The paint from the cans is poured into a spray bottle, and also applied with a roller, a wide brush with vertical movements or from left to right. Corners and places near the fittings are painted with a narrow brush.
7. After the layer has dried, the action is repeated 1-2 p. Spray paint dries faster (about 30 minutes). Leaks or defects are removed with a solvent.
8. The surface is varnished.

If you decide to use slate paint, then you will not be able to return to the original color, but the coating will be more durable.

How to wallpaper a refrigerator

Older models of devices in most cases are white, therefore, to bring bright colors into the interior, it is recommended to finish the surface with wallpaper. The simplest decor option is to choose a finishing material without a pattern with a print of a regular geometric shape.

The surface of the refrigerator is pre-washed well and degreased. With the help of PVA glue, the unit is pasted over the entire perimeter, separately the walls or the door. In the first case, the coating will have visible seams.

New models of large units are advised to decorate with non-woven washable wallpaper. This option of finishing material can be chosen with a pattern of a certain style. They are easier to maintain and do not require frequent replacements.

The choice of wallpaper for pasting the refrigerator depends on the imagination of the owners and preferences in the interior. At the same time, do not forget to observe the main condition of the decor - so that the device does not look like an absurd object in the kitchen.

Refrigerator painting

This decor method is suitable for people who have the ability to create beautiful drawings. Hand painting will transform the unit into a unique art object. The choice of the theme of the drawing depends on the interior of the room, the skills and imagination of the person.

To paint the unit beautifully, you need to take the following materials:

• acrylic paints;
• slate pencil;
• brushes of different sizes;

On the washed and degreased surface of the refrigerator, the contour of the future drawing is first applied with a pencil. It can be various ornaments, landscapes, still lifes, images of animals, flowers and any other objects. If irregularities appear in the pattern, they are carefully removed with a solvent. The resulting sketch is painted with paints, after they have dried, varnished, which helps prevent its early erasure.

Attention! The sketch is not advised to be done with a pencil of too bright color. This will cause the outline to show through the paint.

In the absence of a great talent for painting or fear of its inaccurate execution, the image on the refrigerator is applied using stencils:

• on a regular sheet of paper, draw a template of the pattern you like;
• cut it out;
• the rest of the sheet is attached with tape to the refrigerator;
• paint the place of the cutout;
• sheet is removed;
• the drawing is dried and varnished.

Recently, airbrushing has gained great popularity, which consists in applying a liquid or powdered dye to the surface. With the help of a special device, an image is obtained that cannot be compared with 3D stickers. The skill of airbrushing can be learned if you have a talent for drawing.

How to glue a refrigerator at home

A simple and inexpensive design solution to add beauty to the unit is to attach self-adhesive or vinyl stickers to its surface. The first option helps to create the effect of cladding the unit with wood. The finishing material is glued around the perimeter so that the strips are arranged vertically. Along the contour of the door, plywood linings are attached, which are painted to match the color of wooden cabinets.

The benefits of using vinyl stickers are as follows:

• sold with a pattern, plain or different colors;
• if you wish, you can order a film with your photos;
• the ability to quickly replace with new ones (they are easy to attach and remove);
• surface protection from scratches, chips and dirt;
• ease of care;
• low price.

Restoration of the refrigerator involves the following steps:

• wash and degrease the surface;
• to eliminate irregularities, a primer is applied to the metal;
• remove protruding parts;
• the sticker is applied, smoothing the folds with a flat object from the center to the edges;
• the edges are well pressed, and the excess is cut off with a clerical knife;
• screw the handle and other parts of the refrigerator into place.

If desired, you can use small vinyl stickers, placing them in places where defects have formed.

What can be put on the refrigerator for beauty

Flowers are an ideal addition to the interior, but they are not recommended for decorating a refrigerator. If you put the plant on the refrigerator, it will be stuffy, since cold air, even with frequent ventilation, does not always reach the top. This will lead to the rapid death of the flower. There is also an opinion about the negative impact of the vibration of the unit on the representatives of the flora.

You can decorate the top of the refrigerator beautifully with the help of artificial flower or food arrangements, large postcards. Retro style is created by installing a samovar and heating dolls. A painted wooden bread box gives a rustic effect.

Results

You can decorate the refrigerator in different ways, but the final performance depends on the owner's preferences in the interior and skills in creating artistic masterpieces. An inexpensive and simple restoration option is the fastening of magnets and stickers, painting. People with the ability to art can transform the appearance of the unit by painting or decoupage.

Video: Bright Napkins on the Refrigerator | DIY kitchen decoration

Video: How to decorate or update a refrigerator. 70 ideas: refrigerator stickers, painting, wallpaper

Manufacturers of household appliances are increasingly delighting us with a variety of colors and decor, which allows you to choose not only a functional, but also a refrigerator that fits perfectly into the interior concept. True, such novelties are depressingly expensive. But is it necessary to overpay for a fashionable design, if it is quite feasible to create it yourself? We offer you to study in detail how to paint and decoupage a refrigerator with your own hands, photos of original works and master classes of various decor techniques from hand-made masters.

If the operation of the equipment does not cause any complaints, and the whole thing is only in an unpresentable appearance or a boring white color, you can repaint the device in any shade suitable for the interior range. To do this, you will need sandpaper, a medium-width brush / roller or spray gun, masking tape and the right coloring agent.

Important! Refrigerator paint should be waterproof, flexible, and have a high thixotropy to help it adhere well to vertical surfaces and not leave streaks when applied.

Best suited:

• Automotive nitro enamels are easy to apply and delight with a good choice of colors. They are sold in special cans for easy spraying. But the restoration of the device is best done outdoors - wet paint releases toxins, and it is also difficult to process a massive device indoors without accidentally staining other surfaces.
• Epoxy paints are wear resistant and are sold in both spray cans and conventional brush/roller cans. There are even special enamels marked "for the restoration of household appliances." The only downside is the limited range of colors.
• Acrylic paints for metal - a universal option for home craftsmen. These products do not emit hazardous substances, have a huge choice of colors and are easy to apply with a roller or spray can.

Advice! When working with paint, do not forget about safety precautions - use a respirator and protective gloves.

Instructions for repainting the device with your own hands

After choosing the paint, you need to prepare the refrigerator itself - remove all the shelves, wash the case with soap. Old paint, chips or cracks can be removed with sandpaper to provide better adhesion for the new coating, then remove debris with a rag, degrease and prime all surfaces. Now it remains to protect the handles, decorative inserts and seals on the doors with masking tape, and you can get to work.

If you do not close the fittings, you will have to wash the splashes of paint with a solvent, and this glossy coatings may fade

Advice! Before starting work, it is worth conducting a test by making a few strokes on the back wall or other inconspicuous area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe refrigerator in order to assess the color and properties of the paint (whether it lays evenly, whether there are any streaks).

The process of painting the device depends on the tools used and the type of paint:

1. Brush/roller work

Pour some of the dye into the tray, roll the roller so that it is evenly saturated, remove the excess on the ribbed surface. The paint can be applied with vertical movements, or in the direction from left to right. Corners and areas near fittings are best treated with a narrow brush. The second, and if necessary, the third, layer can be applied only after the previous one has dried (the time depends on the type of paint and should be indicated on the package).

Important! If streaks or other flaws could not be avoided, the defect can be removed with a solvent.

1. The use of aerosol products

The spray can is held at a distance of 25-30 cm from the surface, evenly spraying the paint from left to right. The main thing is not to linger in one place and not leave unpainted "islands". But even if a "gap" is obtained, it is easy to eliminate it during re-processing. Aerosol paints usually dry quickly - after half an hour you can already apply a second layer.

With the help of a spray, the paint lays down evenly and without streaks.

More ideas on how to update an old refrigerator with your own hands - in the photo. And we will consider decorating techniques in more detail below.

DIY refrigerator

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The old refrigerator is still in good condition, but is very dilapidated and covered with rust in places? Or maybe it seems to you that this large metal “box” does not fit into the interior in any way? Or do you just want to spruce up your kitchen a little? In this article, we will talk about 8 ways to decorate a refrigerator, from DIY painting to decoupage, and also present 80 photo ideas of original alterations.

Method 1. Painting with slate paint and painting with crayons (+ master class)

The slate-coated refrigerator door is the perfect place to keep notes: shopping and to-do lists, recipes and family reminders, and sweet notes. And, of course, it is very convenient for children to draw on such a “board” while mom is cooking. To turn refrigerator doors into writing boards, you can choose one of the following four methods:

Method 1. Painting with slate paint. This method is somewhat more complicated than the others, and besides, it excludes the possibility of returning the surface to its original form. But you can paint with slate paint not only the doors, but the entire body of the equipment, and the coating itself will turn out to be more durable.

Method 2. Finishing with chalk wallpaper. Chalk wallpapers are easier to work with, and most importantly, they can be peeled off without leaving marks on the surface of the equipment. However, the coating is not very durable and needs to be changed periodically. In addition, chalk wallpaper is more difficult to decorate rounded doors, corners, bypass handles, displays and protruding parts when gluing. If you want to glue the entire body, the coating will have visible seams. For this reason, it is best to decorate only the door or part of the door with chalk wallpaper.

Method 3. Mounting a magnetic slate board. Such a board is mounted and dismantled as easily as one large magnet, and you can not only draw on it, but also attach small magnets. Most often, ready-made magnetic boards are not too large, and a large panel can only be purchased on order.

Method 4. Mounting the slate on neodymium magnets. This method is good because it allows you not to paint the refrigerator and, if desired, it is easy to remove the chalk board.

Please note that the refrigerator does not have its own handles, its doors open by handles screwed to the chalkboard

What you will need:

• Thin sheet of plywood (3-6 mm);
• Slate paint, primer (preferably), paint brush / roller, cuvette;
• Moldings for framing the board;
• Jigsaw or hand saw;
• Neodymium magnets with holes for screws (the price of one magnet is about 80 rubles, their number and adhesion strength depend on the weight of the board).

Such a super-magnet the size of a ruble coin can easily hold 3 kg of weight.

• Shurpas (by the number of magnets), a screwdriver;
• Stickers on furniture legs (they are needed to avoid scratches on the surface of the doors, as well as chips on the magnets themselves. Such pads are sold in Ikea and hardware stores. If desired, pieces of thin rubber or fleece-type fabric can be glued to the magnets);
• Furniture handle for each board/door and screws for fastening.

Instruction:

Step 1. We measure the parameters of one or two refrigerator doors.

Step 2. We cut out boards from a sheet of fiberboard exactly according to the size of the doors.

Step 3. Paint the board with a primer, wait for it to dry. Next, apply the first layer of slate paint, let it dry, apply the next layer and leave again for the time recommended by the manufacturer. Finally, apply the third coat of paint (preferably).

Step 4. While the paint dries, unscrew the native handles of your refrigerator.

Step 5. We cut and mount the moldings on the board (you can use wood glue). If desired, moldings can be painted.

Step 6. Now we glue a protective pad on each magnet, then we fasten all the magnets to the back of the board. Be careful and strictly (!) Follow the rules for working with neodymium magnets.

Neodymium magnets are small magnets, but very powerful. They are sold in special online stores in a variety of shapes, sizes and capacities (adhesion strength is indicated on the package). For our project, flat magnets are suitable so that the gap between the board and the door is not too large. The main thing is that the total adhesion force of the magnets exceeds the weight of your board twice (!), otherwise it will slide down.

Step 7. Hooray! The board is ready. Now we attach furniture handles to it.

Step 8 Now it's time to install the board(s). Try opening each door by pulling on the handle, if the board is still and the door opens easily, then your project is complete. If you feel that the board is not attached to the door tightly enough, add a few more magnets.

Method 2. Vinyl stickers

Vinyl stickers are easy to stick and peel off without a trace, they are inexpensive and are sold in a wide variety of designs, and therefore they can be changed frequently to suit your mood. For example, geometric shapes, images of animals, plant and flower motifs, words and phrases can decorate a refrigerator.

• Vinyl stickers can be bought at hardware stores, craft stores, various online stores (for example, on Aliexpress), and also ordered from a printing house.
• Simple stickers for the refrigerator can be cut by hand from self-adhesive paper.

Method 3. Film or magnetic panels with photo printing

Want to turn your fridge into a realistic phone booth, a retro soda machine or a bottle of your favorite drink? Or maybe you just want to transfer a beautiful photo of your authorship to the door? Then your choice is vinyl film or magnetic vinyl (magnetic panel) with photo printing. Both coating options can not only decorate the refrigerator, but also protect its facades from scratches and dirt.

• A film with photo printing is different in that it is glued by smoothing it manually or under the influence of warm air (at home, this is done with a hairdryer). The latter easily fits even on the rounded doors and corners of the refrigerator. Both types of film are suitable for decorating the entire body of equipment.

How to stick a sticker with photo printing on the refrigerator with your own hands? The first step is to degrease the surface with any degreaser or alcohol solution. The handles on the door must first be removed, it is advisable to remove other protruding parts as well. Then the film is carefully applied and simultaneously smoothed with some flat object (for example, a bank card), bubbles and wrinkles are smoothed out. Further, the film is folded along the edges, also smoothed, and the excess is cut off with a clerical knife. And finally, the handles are screwed into place.

• Magnetic panels are flexible sheets of 0.5 mm thick vinyl with a magnetic back and photo printing on the front. In fact, these are just large magnets that are made exactly to the dimensions of the doors (but not more than 60 cm wide). Most often, magnetic panels decorate the doors, but they can also decorate the sides of the refrigerator. Magnetic vinyl can be easily assembled and dismantled without leaving any marks.

Method 4. Painting in a bright color, to match the headset or wall (+ master class)

You can update an old refrigerator or fit appliances into the interior simply by painting it with metal paint. The main thing here is to choose the right color.

• If you paint the refrigerator to match the wall or headset, it will seem less bulky. This approach is especially good for small kitchens .

• If the interior of your kitchen seems too boring for you, then the refrigerator can be painted in a very bright color.

• In the interior of the kitchen in retro style, country music or provence a refrigerator of red or pastel color - puddle pink or pale blue will look great.

It is best and easiest to paint a refrigerator with your own hands with spray paint. Ideally, this should be a particularly resistant alkyd enamel or acrylic paint for metal. Canned paint will also work, but it's important to use a quality paint brush to achieve a perfectly even finish.

Instruction:

Step 1. Lightly sand the surface to remove the gloss. If there is rust or chips somewhere, then we also remove them and level them with sandpaper.

Step 2. Clean and degrease the surface with an alcohol solution.

Step 3. With masking tape we cover everything that we want to protect from painting, we close the refrigerator chamber with a film. Don't forget to put film or newspapers on the floor and open the window.

Step 4. Shake the can well and start spraying the paint with a uniform thin layer and let it dry, then apply the second and third layers (if necessary). Remember that instead of one thick layer of paint, it is better to apply two thin ones.

• To increase the durability of the paint and facilitate its application, it is advisable to first coat the surface with a primer.

Step 5. We cover the surface with a matte or glossy varnish, which will make the new coating more durable and moisture resistant.

Method 5. Hand painting (+ video tutorial)

Hand painting can turn a refrigerator into a unique art object or simply into a very nice and “animate” piece of furniture. You can paint the technique with paints and brushes, special acrylic markers or airbrushes.

It is better to trust complex compositions to professionals, but with your own hands you can draw a simple drawing, use a stencil or masking tape (to create stripes). Here is a large selection of photos of simple refrigerator painting ideas that even a beginner can implement.

From this video tutorial you will learn how to decorate an old refrigerator with your own hands using a stencil in the form of a lace tablecloth.

Method 6. Decoupage (+ master class)

Decoupage is an easy and great way to update an old refrigerator, adapt it to a rustic or traditional style kitchen, or complete it with hand-painted or molding decorations.

Decoupage refrigerator type Side by side

To decoupage the refrigerator you will need:

• Multi-layer napkins with the desired print, or better, special cards for decoupage (they can be large in size, and the drawings themselves are already composed in the composition);
• Scissors;
• PVA glue;
• Brushes: flat squirrel (for decoupage and applying varnish) and thin synthetic (for drawing details);
• Pencil (for marking and sketching);
• Acrylic paints;
• Acrylic varnish (matte, glossy or with craquelure effect).

Instruction:

Step 1. Prepare the surface: degrease with an alcohol solution if you plan to glue the pattern on the factory finish, or paint the refrigerator in the desired color and wait until the paint dries.

Step 2. Separate the layer with the pattern from the napkin and cut out the desired element along the contour with scissors. Cut as many blanks as needed.

Step 3. Start gluing the first drawing: coat it with glue on the wrong side, apply it to the desired place, then carefully smooth out the bubbles and folds with a brush, remove excess glue with a damp cloth with tamping movements. Next, glue all the other blanks, moving from the center to the edges, starting with large and ending with small elements.

• Before sticking napkins, it is advisable to apply markings to the surface of the door.

Step 4. When the whole composition is formed, draw small details and contours.

Step 5. Apply two or more coats of matt or glossy varnish to the drawing to give it greater strength and moisture resistance.

For a more detailed master class on decoupage of a refrigerator in Provence style, see this video.

Method 7. Decoration with moldings and "carved" details (+ master class)

If your kitchen is decorated in a classic style, then a grandiose project of converting the refrigerator into ... an old sideboard will help you fit a free-standing refrigerator into its interior.

View of the old refrigerator before and after the alteration

What you need for decoration:

• Moldings made of wood or PVC;
• Carved furniture decoration in wood/PVC or gypsum/polyurethane moldings in the form of a crown, as well as patterned corners (if possible);
• Saw for trimming moldings;
• Glue for metal.

What you need for painting:

• adhesive primer;
• White chalk paint (you can do it yourself according to recipes from the Internet or buy, say, from designer Daria Geller);
• Chalk paint of the main color;
• Brush for painting, 1 round brush with a diameter of 8-7 cm (useful for both painting and waxing), medium flat brush (for wax);
• Dark wax (can be replaced with a mixture of colorless wax with dark brown paint);
• The wax is colorless;
• Painting accessories: film, masking tape, etc.

Instruction:

Step 1. We remove the gloss from the surfaces with a sandpaper, clean and degrease it with an alcohol solution.

Step 2. We make markings and glue carved details: crown, moldings, corners.

Step 3. Paint the refrigerator with white paint in two layers, allowing each layer to dry.

Step 4. Now, with a large round brush, roughly paint the refrigerator in the main color in one layer in cross movements. This is how you get the faded effect.

• Handles must either be removed and come to terms with their absence, or also painted.
• At this stage, the decor and baseboards can be painted with the main color paint or white/gold/silver (in this case, the paint will get outside the decor, but this is not a problem).

Step 5. We apply colorless wax to the baseboards and decor with a cloth or brush, let it soak and dry, then rub the excess with a paper towel.

Step 6. Now we apply dark wax to the decor and baseboards with a brush, then rub it in and remove the excess with paper napkins, achieving the desired effect of antiquity.

In places where the wax seems too dark, apply a little colorless wax and wipe the surface with a paper towel.

Step 7. Now treat the entire refrigerator with colorless wax with the same large round brush (you don’t need to wash it from paint residue!). When the wax dries, remove the excess with a tissue. Ready!

Method 8. Decor with self-adhesive film

Alteration of the refrigerator with self-adhesive film is a budget and simple alternative to photo printing and painting. All you need to do to change the design of the refrigerator: degrease the surface and remove the handles, stick the film, simultaneously leveling it with a non-sharp flat object, then wrap it around the edges, cut off the excess and return the handles to their place.

• Unfortunately, the self-adhesive film, unlike the film with photo printing, does not have a lamination layer and wears out quickly. In addition, it falls worse on uneven and rounded surfaces.