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Upcycling Furniture Ideas
I had never heard of the term, “Upcycling” before I received this fascinating contributed DIY post. So I’m not going to pretend to know anything about refurbishing old furniture. I’m sure my Dad, as an expert Carpenter has upcycled a few precious pieces in his time. I also have Artistic friends who are also brilliant at this, just not me.
Maybe with our upcoming renovations, I should think of trying my hand at this. Am sure we have a bunch of things in the garage we could upcycle if I set my mind to it.
On with the contributed post.
Reigniting The Love : Think Twice Before Getting Rid Of These Household Basics
For every piece of furniture you buy, there will come a time when you want to get rid of it. Tastes change and furniture which was cutting edge can become dated fast. Or, perhaps you still love those pieces, but can’t find a place for them in your home. Whatever the reason, it’ never a nice feeling. After all, furniture isn’t cheap. When the breakup comes, it can feel like chucking money away.
The good news is, there may be a better way around this. Think of it the way you would a real relationship. When we find we’re no longer connecting with our partners, we make alterations so that our love thrives again. With that in mind, it may be possible to fall in love with that old furniture again. All you need to do is get your creative thinking cap on. Consider which alterations would reignite that flame. And, to help you out, we’re going to look at some options for the most commonly thrown out pieces of furniture.
Sofa
Sofas are often one of the most expensive furniture options we invest in. It makes sense. They form a central part of the house. This is, after all, where you come to relax, and where your guests are likely to sit.
So, of course, you want something decent. But sofas are also one of the things which go out of fashion the fastest. Options which are in style one season can be totally out the next. Not to mention that, through general use, that shining, perfect piece can start to look tired fast. Within a few months, the bright colours turn dull. Sure, you can put the covers in the wash, but it’s a lot of work, and they never quite look the same.
But, if you’re thinking about trashing that sofa, think again. After all, an investment like this is worth working for. The most obvious way to upcycle an old couch is, of course, to reupholster it.
This is fantastic because your DIY decor has the ability to transform the thing altogether. It’ll look like an entirely new piece. Better just hope you’re handy with a sewing machine!
If that doesn’t suit your fancy, you could always break the sofa apart and make use of the individual pieces. These are made up of all sorts, from wooden frames, to cushion padding. You could break that wooden frame into pieces and use it instead of shelving, or anything you fancy. As for the stuffing, why not use it fluff your pillows up a bit?
Wardrobe
Wardrobes may go out of fashion less often, but there’s no denying that it does still happen. If you’ve recently downsized, for instance, that bulky option might not even fit. But, before you get rid, think about whether you could give your wardrobe a new lease of life. It’s amazing what you can do with a hammer and a supply of spray adhesives. And, the materials on offer here mean there are a lot of options open to you.
Why not remove the doors, and use the materials from those to create shelves within the body of your wardrobe? This way, you could build a functional bookcase without even having to get stuck in with much work at all. A few hours is all it would take. Or, you might want to stock up on some glass panels and turn this into a display cabinet instead. If you’re keeping the doors in place, you may need to buy some extra wood for the shelves inside, but that won’t cost much at all. It’ll certainly be cheaper than buying the same piece new, anyway. Have fun here, and think about how to make that wardrobe suit you again.
Table
Or, perhaps you’re considering getting rid of your table? Again, thinking outside of the box here could provide many alternative options. By removing the legs and cutting your table in half, you could create a kitchen breakfast bar which is sure to get used. Or, you could use the same technique to create a bench for the end of your bed, or even a side bench in your living room.
You may even want to do as you did with your sofa, and just use the parts of your table to create something new. You could make shelves with all that wood. Or, you could even use the legs as lampshades if they have striking designs etched into them. If you are opting for this choice, make sure to keep things intact when taking them apart. Damage during that process could leave them unfit for purpose. If that happens, you really would have no choice but to scrap the lot.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/60728294950949853/
Curtains
Curtains may not seem like such an issue. In fact, most of us replace these regularly. But, let’s not forget how expensive a decent set of curtains can be. As such, it’s still a waste to chuck that money in the bin. But, there’s plenty you can do with your old curtains, too. Again, being handy with a sewing machine would be a huge help here. In fact, you could use old curtains to reupholster your sofa. An upcycling double whammy. Or, you could make clothes, bags, or even hair accessories utilizing the material. After all, you liked the design enough to have it framing your windows for goodness knows how long. And, forget the stigma of ‘wearing curtains’. Perfect your projects, and no one will be any the wiser to the origins of your pieces.
Conclusion
In truth, it’s possible to upcycle near enough any household item you might consider throwing away. All it takes is a little thinking outside the box. Old chairs could become coat hangers, or shelves with a difference. An old bookcase could become a fun hiding hole for your kids. In fact, when you get creative, anything is possible. This way, you and your furniture can remain in a happy and thriving relationship for many years to come.
Have you ever upcycled any of your old furniture? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below.