Upcycling old furniture is a budget-friendly way to add unique personality and charm to your home. And by re-using your existing items you’re being kind to the environment – and your bank balance! If you’d like to try an upcycling project, we’ve some easy and fun upcycling ideas to inspire you. Follow these tips to breathe new life into your old items: 1. Create shelving from an unused ladder Do you have some old ladders languishing in your garage? Ladders make ideal shabby-chic shelving units. Use them to display books and accessories in your living room, scarves and belts in your bedroom, or even towels in your bathroom. Simply sand any rough edges, and leave your ladder portable or secure it to the wall for extra stability. 2. Transform old luggage into a bedside table Stack vintage suitcases to create a unique bedside table that doubles as extra storage for clothes and accessories. Pop in some draw liners, and for a flawlessly coordinated look consider painting them to match your room’s colour scheme. 3. Stack wooden crates to make storage units Stack a series of wooden crates (or the drawers from an old chest) on top of each other, and secure with nails or glue to create a stylish storage unit. For a bold and funky look, paint the interior of each crate a different colour. Coordinate with nearby soft furnishings that mirror your chosen colour scheme. 4. Reupholster your seating Revive your tired, threadbare chairs into one-of-a-kind seating with fresh upholstery. For an edgy feel, choose a modern print for a traditional chair, or vice versa. If you’re on a budget, revamp chairs that need minimal upholstering, such as wooden-framed dining chairs. If the chair’s frame looks worse for wear, paint it with a tester pot or two for a completely new look. 5. Reuse glassware jars as vases Reusing old glassware in unexpected ways will create a chic and quirky element to your décor. Jam and pickle jars look great as drinking glasses or as vases to display flowers. Similarly, a collection of old bottles each holding a single bloom will create a unique focal point for any space. 6. Make your own lampshade Sick of searching for a light fitting that matches your décor scheme? Making your own drum lampshade is easy, and there are lots of online guides to help you, like this one from The Makery. Choose your own fabric and an old lamp base, and you can create something unique. Or for a sleek, modern look, strip your old lampshades to their bare bones and spray-paint them copper. 7. Turn a pallet into a statement coffee table Simple wooden pallets make stunning coffee tables. Leave them bare and unashamedly rustic, paint them a bold colour, add castors or even add a glass top. Contrast your new statement table with delicate furniture to give it centre-stage. |