Repurpose, Reuse and Upcycle Old Things

By, fancyn

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If you’re the kind of person who hates throwing anything away, I’m right there with you. 2020 is a year where sustainability should be at the front of mind, which means there’s no better time to turn your unwanted items into gorgeous DIY projects, especially with all the free time we all seem to have with the self-quarantines and lockdowns across the world.

My hubby has been keeping busy with some upcycling projects with old furniture to spruce up our humble abode. While he labored away, hitting his sorry fingers with the hammer, I got the idea of writing this blog to inspire anyone out there with power tools and old furniture pieces and random items around the house.

From reusing old wine corks to create beautiful table-settings to transforming mason jars into rustic chandeliers, these ideas ensure that nothing goes to waste. After all, one person’s trash is another’s treasure, right?

The good thing about upcycling is that there really are no limits to what you can create. It’s a sustainable, cost-effective option, and anyone can join the upcycling revolution and undertake a range of upcycled furniture projects – no previous skills required.

Join in on the upcycling movement and breathe new life into vintage and second-hand furniture and homewear with these following tips;

• Plan ahead and ensure you have the tools and equipment needed to do the job. Give all furniture a wipe down before you start, otherwise you could get an old cobweb stuck to your paintbrush!
• Be imaginative when you see old pieces. Creative ideas can give a new purpose to something that would have otherwise been discarded.
• Make sure you match the era of the piece of furniture with the style of upcycling.
• Spend a few extra pennies on good paint brushes. Cheap ones leave bristles in your work and don’t give good coverage.
• Have fun and be bold. You are not bound by the constraints of what is available on the high street.
• Once you have finished your pieces, make sure you protect all your hard work with wax or varnish to give it longevity. After putting so much effort into making something re-loved, give it the respect it deserves by finishing it properly.

Don’t be afraid to work on a DIY project even if you have no carpentry experience or even if you consider yourself not to be good with your hands, YouTube ‘how to” tutorials are always there for reference. Let’s repurpose, reuse and upcycle what is at our disposal, it’ll keep you sane…my hubby’s mood is already upbeat!