Furniture Upcycling

$60.00 USD
4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
21 Reviews
Transform old furniture into stunning pieces with expert sourcing, design, techniques, and sales strategies in this all-in-one course.
Beginner Friendly

Step-by-step lessons with clear instructions, designed for first-timers and creative dabblers alike.
Student Community

Be part of our community where you can ask questions, share progress, and get feedback from the DIY School team and other students.
Course Materials

Downloadable templates, supply lists, and printable resources — everything you need to start right away.
Flexible Learning

Start anytime, go at your own pace, and revisit lessons whenever you need. You’ll have lifetime access.

The Skills to Get Started

Learn everything you need to confidently upcycle furniture. No prior experience required. Unlock your creativity and transform old furniture into timeless pieces with ease!
Sanding, painting, and finishing techniques
How to tile furniture
Tips for styling, staging and selling your finished pieces
Downloadable materials, supply checklists, and inspiration
How to find, choose and prep secondhand furniture
How to sand, stain and seal timber
Learn basic upholstery
Step-by-step project tutorials to follow
Bonus furniture templates, printable wallpapers & shopping lists
Subtitles in English, Spanish, and French

Explore Your Lessons
Getting Started

Welcome to the world of furniture upcycling! We’ll kick things off by meeting a few of the pieces I’ll be working on throughout the course, so you can get a sense of the types of transformations you’ll soon be doing yourself. Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to sharpen your skills, you’re in the right place.

2 Videos
Finding & Designing

Before you can upcycle, you’ve got to find your piece! This section is all about how to spot potential, even in the dustiest corners of op-shops or online listings. You’ll learn what to look for (and what to avoid), how to design with intention, and I’ll show you a few examples I picked up and how I imagined their glow-up.

5 Video

Gathering Your Toolkit

Let’s keep it simple but effective. I’ll walk you through the essential tools and materials you'll need for your upcycling projects, from sanders and paintbrushes to a few game-changer items you might not expect. It’s about building a kit that works for you and your style of making.

1 Video

Bonus: Shopping Links

Exterior Walls

Time to give your dollhouse some street appeal!

Learn how to create miniature brick walls, timber siding, and crisp painted finishes. We’ll also add charming window trims to complete the look - your dollhouse will be turning heads already.

4 Videos
Cleaning & Prep

Prep is where the magic starts. You’ll learn how to properly clean and assess second-hand pieces, from removing years of grime to polishing up chrome legs. These simple steps lay the foundation for a smooth, successful project (and help you avoid any nasty surprises mid-make).

2 Videos
Restoring Timber

Working with timber? You’ll love this module.

We cover how to strip, sand, stain, and seal wood so you can bring out the natural beauty of a piece or give it a completely new look. It’s all about understanding the material and giving it new life, without losing its character.

5 Videos
Painting Furniture
Painting is one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to transform a piece. You’ll learn how to design your paint project, prep properly, and apply a beautiful finish. Plus, I’ll share my favourite tips for bold colour, crisp lines, and long-lasting results.

4 Videos
Tiling Furniture

Yes — you can tile furniture! In this chapter, I’ll show you how to design and install tiles on everything from tabletops to sideboards. It’s a surprisingly simple technique that delivers major impact and opens up endless creative possibilities.

3 Videos

Basic Upholstery

Want to refresh a tired seat? You’ll learn the basics of upholstery including choosing fabric, working with foam, and upholstering a simple cushion from start to finish. A great first project that instantly elevates a piece (and your confidence).

3 Videos
Upcycling for Profit

If you're dreaming of selling your upcycled pieces, this section is a must. Learn how to price, stage, and photograph your items so they actually sell. We’ll also talk about where to list them and how to use social media to build an audience and a side hustle or even a full-time gig.

7 Videos

Bonus: Downloadable Materials
Additional Techniques

This is your creative toolbox. Learn some bonus techniques like installing glass panels or creating a plaster effect. They’re super handy when you’re ready to push your skills even further.

3 Videos
Project Tutorials

Time to make!

Follow along with real-life makeovers including timber consoles, dining chairs, retro stools, a tiled coffee table, and more. These projects bring everything together, showing you the process from start to finish complete with tips and that sweet satisfaction of a total transformation.

9 Projects
Furniture Upcycling
Join Thousands of Makers Just Like You

Learn Furniture Upcycling

$60.00 USD
4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
21 Reviews
Transform old furniture into stunning pieces with expert sourcing, design, techniques, and sales strategies in this all-in-one course.

One-time payment

15-day Satisfaction Guarantee

Subtitles in English, Spanish & French

Furniture Upcycling

Want More? Save With a Course Bundle

Start where inspiration strikes. With instant access to multiple courses, downloadable materials, and step-by-step lessons, you’ll have everything you need to start making at an ever better price.

Embroidery + Upcycling

$67.00 $85.00

Unlock full access to both the Hand Embroidery and Furniture Upcycling Courses with this exclusive bundle at a great price. Enjoy lifetime access with no additional fees.

Dollhouse + Upcycling

$67.00 $85.00

Get access to everything in the Dollhouse & Furniture Upcycling Courses for one special bundle price. Lifetime access. No ongoing fees.

All Courses

$79.00 $114.00

Unlock your creativity with our complete bundle: Dollhouse Making, Hand Embroidery, and Furniture Upcycling. Over 150 videos, lifetime access, and hours of hands-on fun.

Learn Simple Techniques. Get Amazing Results.

Sourcing

Design

Restoration

Painting

Tiling

Upholstery

Glazing

Selling

Meet Your Instructor

Geneva Vanderzeil

Geneva Vanderzeil is one of the most influential voices in DIY, creativity, and upcycling — with over a decade of inspiring millions to make beautiful things with their own hands. Through her bestselling books, viral videos, and popular website Collective Gen, Geneva has built a global community around the belief that anyone can create — they just need the right guidance and a little inspiration.

Her work has been featured by The New York Times, The Guardian, Martha Stewart, Buzzfeed, and more. With over 2 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, Geneva’s creative projects have reached makers in every corner of the world.

Now, through The DIY School, she’s bringing her most-loved skills into structured, accessible online courses — starting with furniture upcycling, embroidery, dollhouses, mosaics, and more.
Woman sitting on a couch wearing a white shirt and green overalls, with a home interior background.

Meet Your Instructor

Geneva Vanderzeil

Geneva is one of the most influential voices in DIY, creativity, and craft with over a decade of inspiring millions to make beautiful things with their own hands.

Through her bestselling books, viral videos, and popular website Collective Gen, Geneva has built a global community around the belief that anyone can create - they just need the right guidance and a little inspiration.

Her work has been featured by The New York Times, The Guardian, Martha Stewart, Buzzfeed, and more. With over 2 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, Geneva’s creative projects have reached makers in every corner of the world.

Now she’s bringing her most-loved skills into structured, accessible online courses.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any experience to join?

Not at all! The course is designed for total beginners. You’ll learn everything from choosing your first piece to painting, repairing, and finishing it.
How long does the course take to complete?

The course is completely self-paced. You can finish it in a few dedicated sessions or take your time and revisit the lessons whenever you like. You have lifetime access.
What tools will I need?

Just the basics! We’ll give you a full supply list with affordable, beginner-friendly options. Most projects can be done with simple tools and handheld items.
What kind of furniture can I upcycle?

The skills you will learn will enable you to work with all kinds of secondhand finds - chairs, small tables, stools, sideboards, and more. The course helps you choose pieces with the most potential.
Can I purchase a course as a gift for someone else?

Yes! You can easily buy any course or bundle as a gift. Just go to our Gift Card page to purchase a digital gift card It’s a thoughtful and easy present for birthdays, holidays, or just because.
Does the course have subtitles?

Yes! All videos include subtitles in English, Spanish, and French, so you can follow along in your preferred language.
What if I decide the course isn't right for me?

No problem — we offer a 15-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the course, we’ll refund you in full.

Ready to get crafty?
More Questions? Contact Us
4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
Based on 21 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 10 Total 4 star reviews: 11 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
100%would recommend this product
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21 reviews
  • Elizabeth L.
    Flag of Australia
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5 Stars

    Love how approachable and real this felt. I turned a $5 chair into a feature piece.

    Was this helpful?
    Geneva's DIY School

    Hi Elizabeth! What an incredible transformation - turning a $5 find into a stunning feature piece is exactly what Furniture Upcycling is all about! We love that you found the course approachable and real, because that's exactly how we want everyone to feel when they're starting their upcycling journey. There's something so satisfying about seeing the potential in a forgotten piece and bringing it back to life with your own creative touch. Thank you for sharing your amazing success story and for the wonderful 5-star review!

  • Heather P.
    Flag of Australia
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    4 Stars

    I used to be scared of DIY—this changed everything. I used to be scared of DIY—this changed everything.

    Was this helpful?
    Geneva's DIY School

    Hi Heather! It's so wonderful to hear that Furniture Upcycling helped you overcome those initial fears and discover your creative confidence. There's something truly empowering about realizing you can take on projects that once seemed intimidating, and it sounds like this experience has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for you. The best part about conquering that DIY fear is that it often leads to so many more exciting projects ahead! Thank you for the fantastic 4-star review!

  • Nicole E.
    Flag of Australia
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5 Stars

    Paint, sandpaper, and patience—now I’m unstoppable. This course gave me vision and tools to act.

    Was this helpful?
  • Dana D.
    Flag of Australia
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5 Stars

    Felt empowered to try more DIY projects after this.

    Was this helpful?
    Geneva's DIY School

    Hi Dana! That's exactly the kind of confidence boost we love to hear about! There's something so empowering about completing your first upcycling project and realizing you can transform furniture with your own hands - it really opens up a whole world of DIY possibilities! We're thrilled that our Furniture Upcycling course gave you that "I can do this" feeling that makes you want to tackle even more creative projects. Thank you for the fantastic 5-star review and for sharing how the course inspired your DIY journey!

  • Mary W.
    Flag of Australia
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    4 Stars

    This course gave me vision and tools to act. I now walk past verge piles with a glint in my eye.

    Was this helpful?
    Geneva's DIY School

    Hi Mary! We absolutely love how you've described your newfound perspective - there's something so exciting about developing that "treasure hunter's eye" for spotting potential in discarded furniture! It's wonderful that Furniture Upcycling has given you both the creative vision to see possibilities where others see trash and the practical skills to bring those ideas to life. Those verge pile walks will never be the same again, and we have a feeling you're going to create some absolutely amazing transformations from your discoveries. Thank you for the fantastic 4-star review and for sharing how this course has changed the way you see the world around you!

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