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DIY

Turning old furniture into kid-friendly bespoke pieces

Upcycling old furniture into child‑friendly pieces isn’t about rough-and-ready projects that look like they were thrown together. Done right, it’s about reshaping what you already have into bespoke items that suit your space, your kid, and your lifestyle – without blowing the budget or requiring a fully kitted-out workshop.

RYOBI TEAM Wed, 06/17/2026 - 19:42
IN THIS ARTICLE

Kids grow fast. Their needs change constantly. Especially as their curiosity begins to kick in. That’s why it’s important to provide them with their own place to learn and explore their interests and talents. Holly built her son a Toddler’s Craft Desk from an old, unused bedside table that was taking up space in the garage – and it only took her a weekend!

 

DIY Project Idea

Toddler’s Craft Desk

For basic DIYers, a small set of cordless tools can go a long way. With the RYOBI 18V ONE+ Random Orbital Sander, 165mm Circular Saw, RYOBI Jigsaw and Drill Driver, quick furniture makeovers become achievable weekend wins—and the first step towards bigger, more creative home projects.

Why upcycling works so well for kids’ furniture 

Children’s furniture has a habit of being short‑lived. A change of interest, a growth spurt, or a bedroom reshuffle can quickly make once‑loved pieces redundant. Upcycling flips that problem on its head. 

Old furniture, like solid timber dressers, coffee tables, shelves or bedside units, often have better bones than flatpack equivalents. By reshaping, resizing and refining them, you can create pieces that are: 

  • Lower and safer for little hands 
  • Purpose‑built for toys, books or craft supplies 
  • Better suited to modern homes 
  • Easy to refresh again as kids grow 

Think floor‑level bookcases, cubby storage from old sideboards, toy benches made from coffee tables, or desks resized from adult furniture.

Start with the right tools (no big workshop required) 

One of the biggest barriers to DIY is the misconception that you need lots of tools to get started – and a skill level that borders on being a tradesperson. In reality, most quick upcycling projects rely on the basics: sanding, cutting and fastening – and a ‘have-a-go’ attitude. 

That’s where the RYOBI ONE+ system shines: cordless, approachable and designed for everyday projects around the home.

RYOBI 18V ONE+ Drill Driver

RYOBI 18V ONE+ Drill Driver

For disassembly, assembly, reinforcement and everyday fixes

The Drill Driver is often the first power tool people own – and for good reason. It’s the backbone of furniture upcycling, handling everything from reassembly through to reinforcing older joints. 

When working on kids’ furniture, this tool ensures pieces are solid, secure and built to withstand everyday knocks, climbs and drops. Also, that unnecessary parts from the original piece have been removed.

Features & benefits: 

  • Drilling and (screw) driving in one tool – Saves time and keeps projects flowing without tool changes. Just swap out the drill bit for a screwdriver bit! 
  • 2-speed motor, variable speed trigger – Fast speed for drilling, slow speed for driving, and variable speed trigger for slow start-ups through to full power. 
  • Compact cordless design – Easy to use on assembled furniture or in tight indoor spaces.

It’s the tool that quietly turns a project from “looks good” into “feels rock solid”.

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RYOBI 18V ONE+ 165mm Circular Saw

RYOBI 18V ONE+ 165mm Circular Saw

For resizing furniture to fit little people 

Adult‑sized furniture rarely works perfectly for children. The 165mm Circular Saw allows you to cut pieces down to size so they’re easier to use, safer to access and better proportioned for kids’ rooms. 

From trimming table legs to shortening shelves or cutting down wide cabinets into compact storage units, this saw turns awkward furniture into something purposeful. 

Features & benefits: 

  • 165mm blade offering clean, straight cuts – Ideal for reshaping furniture accurately and confidently. 
  • Adjustable cutting depth and bevel – Adds flexibility for different materials and creative furniture tweaks. 
  • Cordless freedom – Makes it easier to work outdoors, in the garage or wherever space allows. 

One or two careful cuts can completely change the function of a piece—and suddenly it feels like it was made for your child, not repurposed.

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RYOBI 18V ONE+ HPTM Brushless Jigsaw

RYOBI 18V ONE+ HPTM Brushless Jigsaw

For curved cuts and bespoke finishes 

Making curved cuts, circles and wavy edges to bespoke furniture is a job for a jigsaw. Get creative and personalise your kids’ furniture with some wooden decorations. Or cut holes in a desktop to hold arts and crafts supplies. A jigsaw can make cuts and fit in places that a circular saw won’t.

Features & benefits:

  • All types of cuts – Round, curved, wavy, straight or bevelled all done accurately and quickly. 
  • Adjustable pendulum cutting action – From slow and smooth cuts through to more aggressive, rougher and faster cuts. Adjust to suit material and required finish. 
  • Multi-material – With the right blade attached, can cut timber, metal and plastic.

Change the design of a piece, adorn it with decorations or add extra functionality to it in quick time.

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RYOBI 18V ONE+ Random Orbital Sander

RYOBI 18V ONE+ Random Orbital Sander

For smoothing, softening edges and kid‑proofing surfaces 

Any furniture destined for a child needs to be smooth, splinter‑free and safe to touch. The Random Orbital Sander is often the unsung hero of upcycling - it’s what turns something “old and rough” into something that looks intentional. 

Whether you’re removing chipped paint, discoloured varnish, softening sharp corners or prepping timber for a fresh finish, this tool does the heavy lifting without demanding experience.

Features & benefits:

  • Random orbital motion – Helps achieve an even, swirl‑free finish, making old furniture look cleaner and more refined. 
  • Hook‑and‑loop sanding discs – Quick sanding pad changes mean less downtime and more momentum during projects. 
  • Integrated dust collection – Keeps sanding dust under control, especially when working indoors or around kids.

For child‑friendly furniture, sanding isn’t just cosmetic – it’s a safety step that makes every edge, handle and surface feel better to use.

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Look around before you buy new 

Before replacing old furniture, take a moment to see what could be reshaped, re‑imagined or resized. With a little creativity and the right tools, you can create child‑friendly furniture that: 

  • Works better for your space 
  • Ages more gracefully than novelty kids’ furniture 
  • Blends in with the rest of your home

Small projects this weekend, bigger ideas later

What starts as a simple toy shelf or resized table often sparks bigger plans. Once you realise how quickly these tools let you transform furniture, ideas tend to snowball. 

Today it’s a toy storage bench. Tomorrow it might be matching shelving, a craft desk, or even a total child’s bedroom refresh that grows with them. The beauty of the RYOBI 18V ONE+ system is that the same battery works across more than 200 products – so your toolkit can expand as your confidence does. 

Who knows? One successful upcycle might lead to bigger and more ambitious projects down the track (but we’ll save that for another article).

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