Upcycling furniture has become increasingly popular over the past 18 months – possibly due to the pandemic, with more free time to be creative, coupled with sustainability being high on everyone’s agenda.
In fact, searches around upcycling furniture are up 52% in 2021, averaging 14,800 montly searches in the UK.
But, what exactly is upcycling?
Upcycling is a cost-effective, sustainable way of renovating a space by upgrading an unwanted item. The process of upcycling might include painting a furniture piece, reupholstering a sofa, or repurposing old objects and turning them into something more of greater value.
Although the buying and selling of secondhand furniture isn’t anything new, the idea of taking an unwanted, unused item and turning it into something desirable is. Facebook Marketplace has boomed because of this, with the site being used to buy items (which are then upcycled) and then resold for a profit.
If you want to try your hand at upcycling, look no further. We’ve spoken to Kelly Collins, head of creative at Swyft (and trained interior designer) to provide you with 10 upcycling furniture ideas you can try out in your own home…
10 upcycling furniture ideas
1. Turn wooden pallets into an outside seating area
Old wooden pallets are everywhere – you can find them at grocery stores, newsagents, in the skip, online, or if you’re lucky a neighbour might have one. Wooden pallets are an incredibly cheap way to build outdoor furniture. From a one-seat arrangement placed at floor level to a double-stacked four-seat corner and coffee table; with a saw, nails and a bit of time you can create the perfect outdoor furniture set out of very little.
2. Use wooden boxes as shelving units
Hang a collection of small wooden crates or boxes on the walls to create a unique shelving arrangement and point of interest in the room. Paint, sand, vanish (or all of the above) until you get the desired look – try sanding the paint to add personality and create an aged, worn detailing.
3. Add a touch of paint to a tired-looking wardrobe
Wardrobes are a big furniture item that can have a real impact on the look and feel of a room. It’s important to ensure your wardrobe fits the interior, but instead of buying new, pick up a paintbrush and tin of paint! A lick of paint might all is needed to transform the look of the wardrobe.
4. Paint old wooden chairs to add a pop of colour to your home
Does your kitchen or dining room need a lift? The easiest way to do this is to choose an item within the room to upcycle. For example, painting the legs and back of your wooden dining chairs can be a quick and easy way to add a pop of colour to a room.
5. Build a towel holder from a ladder or scaffolding
It might be difficult to find, but repurposing scaffolding as a towel rail could be a sure-fire winner to renovating your bathroom. If there isn’t any scaffolding to hand, a wooden ladder will do. Using a ladder can be a great way to bring a vintage, industrial look into the bathroom – injecting character into a conventionally basic part of the home.
6. Design a coffee table from pallets
Don’t fancy making an outdoor seating area from a collection of wooden pallets? What about a coffee table? Get a small pallet, add small wheels to the bottom, and instantly you’ll have a new rustic coffee table. Simple and effective.
7. Reupholster old sofas and armchairs
Spice up an old armchair or sofa by adding new foam cushions which are reupholstered to your chosen fabric. It might be a slightly time-consuming process, but it’ll be worth it. Sometimes all a sofa needs is a fabric facelift.
Reupholstering furniture is also a great skill to have for the more indecisive among us!
8. Create a bold sideboard
Give a sideboard a new lease of life with a dash of paint – make it interesting by using painters tape to create different shapes and patterns.
9. Turn old tins into plant vases
As soon as you’ve finished eating your morning beans on toast, wash the Baked Beans tin, pick up a paintbrush and paint some beautiful patterns on the tin. When happy with the design, add water to the tin and a collection of plants or flowers – you now have your very own personalised vase.
10. Turn your empty glass jars into candles
Add a pre-waxed wick to the jar and pour melted wax into the jar until full. As you pour the wax make sure to keep hold of the wick. After you’ve poured the wax, cut the end of the wick to just above the wax level. It’s that simple.
When it comes to upcycling the possibilities are endless, no matter what the object it can be upcycled into something new and exciting.
