When Your Furniture Doesn’t Fit… But You Refuse to Buy

From Bulky to Brilliant: How a Simple Leg Upgrade Can Instantly Open Up Your Space

We’ve all been there. You spot the perfect vintage sideboard on Marketplace, or you move into a charming Surry Hills terrace only to realise your beloved modular sofa now treats the living room like a sardine tin. The logical thing would be to sell it and start again. But let’s be honest: in this economy, we are digging our heels in.

If you are anything like us, furniture is not just stuff. It is where Sunday morning coffees happen, where we sprawl for late-night Netflix binges, and where life quietly unfolds. Buying new feels expensive, inconvenient, and slightly heartbreaking. So instead, we make what we already own work harder.

The magic of the hardware swap

Often, the problem is not the size but the feel. A piece might technically fit the room but still look bulky, dated, or visually heavy. This is where a simple hardware swap from Urban Hardware can change everything. When we update the base of a piece, we are not just buying legs. We are acquiring additional space.

Changing the legs alters the height, the silhouette, and how light moves around a space. It can turn a clunky cabinet into something that feels intentional and better suited to modern Aussie living.

Why we choose aluminium and stainless steel

For those of us navigating smaller rentals or contemporary apartments, aluminium and stainless steel legs are the ultimate secret weapon. These materials are ideal for creating a sense of openness.

Aluminium is lightweight yet incredibly durable, offering a sleek finish that bounces light around the floor. This instantly reduces the visual weight of a heavy wardrobe. Stainless steel is the go-to for a premium feel, providing a clean, reflective surface that makes even the most massive furniture pieces feel lighter.

By lifting your furniture on these slim, metallic profiles, you create a gap between the floor and the piece. This tricks the eye into seeing more square meterage than there actually is.

At the end of the day, a home should feel like us. Even if that means sidestepping a chest of drawers at a slight angle. That is not a flaw. That is character.