10 Brilliantly Effective Upcycling Projects
Upcycling is one of today’s key decorating mantras, and here’s why…
You know that old saying, ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure’? Well, as upcycling grips the nation, so your own trash can become shiny new treasure to pep up your home. All that’s needed is a fresh eye and a very small outlay.
Love building materials
I love this idea because it doesn’t require any fixing, painting or alterations whatsoever. Simply haul three concrete breeze blocks into your bedroom and voila, a bedside table in seconds – and one with masses of urban grit and character.
I love this idea because it doesn’t require any fixing, painting or alterations whatsoever. Simply haul three concrete breeze blocks into your bedroom and voila, a bedside table in seconds – and one with masses of urban grit and character.
Utilise the best of nature
This is probably the simplest upcycling project to master – and one of the most effective. Seek out a sturdy, weathered branch, suspend it between two shelf brackets and it becomes the prettiest organic utensil rack. Try this idea for hanging pictures or holding towels, too.
This is probably the simplest upcycling project to master – and one of the most effective. Seek out a sturdy, weathered branch, suspend it between two shelf brackets and it becomes the prettiest organic utensil rack. Try this idea for hanging pictures or holding towels, too.
Be creative with storage
Scour flea markets, car-boot sales and second-hand shops for old suitcases in a wide range of styles. Then upcycle the shell of an old chest of drawers or a bookcase with fresh paint and slot in the cases for a quirky set of drawers.
Try lining the insides of the cases with wallpaper for an extra decorative layer, then use them to stash your everyday stuff, from letters and linens to napkins and magazines.
No time for upcycling yourself? Search ‘upcyclers’ in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Scour flea markets, car-boot sales and second-hand shops for old suitcases in a wide range of styles. Then upcycle the shell of an old chest of drawers or a bookcase with fresh paint and slot in the cases for a quirky set of drawers.
Try lining the insides of the cases with wallpaper for an extra decorative layer, then use them to stash your everyday stuff, from letters and linens to napkins and magazines.
No time for upcycling yourself? Search ‘upcyclers’ in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Reuse industrial kit
Who would have guessed that old toolboxes would transform into such a brilliant display cabinets for vintage jewellery? Leaving the boxes in their original state not only makes this a super-easy project, it creates the contrast between the rugged metal and sparkly gems that gives the design its charm.
Who would have guessed that old toolboxes would transform into such a brilliant display cabinets for vintage jewellery? Leaving the boxes in their original state not only makes this a super-easy project, it creates the contrast between the rugged metal and sparkly gems that gives the design its charm.
Pep up with colour
Spray paint will give a redundant metal filing cabinet a fabulous new sheen – the only conundrum being which colour to choose. This two-drawer unit has been sprayed in zingy canary yellow and now sits proudly as a contemporary side table.
Spray paint will give a redundant metal filing cabinet a fabulous new sheen – the only conundrum being which colour to choose. This two-drawer unit has been sprayed in zingy canary yellow and now sits proudly as a contemporary side table.
Revitalise old crates
This is where all those leftover paint samples come in handy. Stack a series of old crates – or even the drawers of a redundant chest – on top of each other and paint each interior a different shade. Here, a cushion in similar shades is all that’s needed to tie the juicy fruit tower into the scheme.
See more freestanding storage solutions
This is where all those leftover paint samples come in handy. Stack a series of old crates – or even the drawers of a redundant chest – on top of each other and paint each interior a different shade. Here, a cushion in similar shades is all that’s needed to tie the juicy fruit tower into the scheme.
See more freestanding storage solutions
Create a coffee table
An old suitcase can become a unique coffee table with just a few tweaks. Simply add some legs (I adore the blast of turquoise here) and paint or paper the top for a super-cute and quirky piece you’d never find in the shops. Don’t forget to add a sealant or laminate to the top of the table to make it a proper practical piece for everyday use.
An old suitcase can become a unique coffee table with just a few tweaks. Simply add some legs (I adore the blast of turquoise here) and paint or paper the top for a super-cute and quirky piece you’d never find in the shops. Don’t forget to add a sealant or laminate to the top of the table to make it a proper practical piece for everyday use.
Rethink ordinary pieces
If you have an old, rickety (and rather unsafe to use) set of ladders hanging around in the garage, think twice before throwing them away. Propped up against a wall, they become a charming and transitory bookshelf that can be moved around at will.
If you have an old, rickety (and rather unsafe to use) set of ladders hanging around in the garage, think twice before throwing them away. Propped up against a wall, they become a charming and transitory bookshelf that can be moved around at will.
Give practical pieces a new purpose
Old laundry items, such as ironing boards, baskets and brooms, are so well made and full of character it’s a shame to hide them away. Instead, put them to work as tables, storage or display spaces. This ironing board is all set to welcome guests to a drinks party, and can be moved around or folded out of the way in a trice.
Tell us…
Are you tempted by any of these upcycling projects? Tell us in the Comments section.
Old laundry items, such as ironing boards, baskets and brooms, are so well made and full of character it’s a shame to hide them away. Instead, put them to work as tables, storage or display spaces. This ironing board is all set to welcome guests to a drinks party, and can be moved around or folded out of the way in a trice.
Tell us…
Are you tempted by any of these upcycling projects? Tell us in the Comments section.
A trio of brightly coloured colanders makes for a unique set of pendant lights – and injects a pop of juicy hue at the same time. If you fancy this idea, spray-paint metal colanders in your choice of colours, then ask a professional electrician to fit them.
Find electricians in your area on Houzz.