Upcycling 101: The Ultimate Guide
December 20, 2016
For those unfamiliar with the concept, upcycling is a fun - and environmentally friendly - way to breathe life into old furniture - or other items - and transform them into something new, unique or usable. As a bonus, it's somewhat lighter on your wallet too, which is especially relevant in the current climate.
So, if you're looking to start your upcycling journey, we've put together the ultimate guide to help you get all the inspiration and information you need.
What are the benefits of upcycling?
- By using old products instead of buying new ones, your decor becomes more eco-friendly
- It's a considerably cheaper alternative to buying items brand new
- It lets you be creative and have fun
- Upcycling can help you to relax
- It’s a fun activity for adults and children alike
What is the difference between upcycling and recycling?
The idea of recycling has been around for long enough that it needs no introduction, but how does it differ from upcycling?
They're both essential parts of keeping our environment clean and healthy. But where recycling focuses on breaking down an item into its original components to be reused, upcycling brings about a new life differently.
Those who upcycle repurpose items without breaking them down into smaller parts - creating something new out of something old.
Upcycling is a great way to reduce waste while getting creative with what you have.
How do I start upcycling?
There are many ways to start upcycling, but aside from jumping straight into a project, the first step in the journey is research!
You may start with ideas of what you want to do, but getting decor inspiration and pointers online never harmed anybody, right? Finding out what has worked for others (and what hasn’t!) will help guide your upcycling journey.
Hopefully, this article will give you all the ideas you need, plus loads of inspiration, tips and tricks for getting started. Or, if you’ve already started your upcycling journey, we’ll aim to offer inspiration for new and upcoming projects.
Finding furniture and materials
As mentioned above, most upcycling projects centre around transforming something old into something with a new purpose and look.
The first and most obvious place to look for furniture and materials would be your own home. Attics, sheds, or garages are the perfect place to start looking. If you find anything lying around you're bored with, is broken, unused or has seen better days, that's perfect for your next project. These work best as it doesn't take much to provide a new lease of life and make it a statement piece in your home once more.
Nevertheless, not all of us have lots of furniture going spare; are you struggling to find any existing pieces in your own home that needs some love and attention?
Try looking in...
Parents' or grandparents' houses
Our older relatives have had a lifetime accumulating old furniture, and you’d be surprised what they’re hanging onto - especially if they've been in the same house for years. Just ensure you ask their permission before driving off with an old bookcase!
Charity shops
Many charity shops get furniture donations, so it’s always worth visiting them and asking what they’ve got. They're also a great place to look for smaller projects and materials - for example, teacups can be transformed into beautiful candles!
Local dump
Your local dump or recycling area may not be the first place you'd think of, but more often than not, it's packed full of great furniture. If you hang around during a busy day (Saturday, for example), you’ll no doubt see people coming in with things they want rid of, meaning they'll be happy to let you take it off their hands instead of dumping it.
Online
The internet! Never underestimate the power of online communities. Websites such as Preloved, Gumtree and even Facebook Marketplace can allow you to search for second-hand furniture people want out of their homes. You can find some incredible gems on there for a low price - or in some instances, free of charge.
The basics needed for upcycling
It would be far from an ‘ultimate guide to upcycling’ if we didn't offer pointers to the items you need to get started.
It's important to note that no two projects will be identical, so your inventory may vary depending on the undertaking. Some will require no more than super glue and paint. Others might need a more advanced tool kit, though!
As a starting point, it’s a good idea to look into having access to the following items:
- Brushes
- Sponges or cloths
- Protective coverings (you don’t want stains on furniture!)
- Paint or wood stains
- Varnish
- Paint stripper
- Power sander or sandpaper
- Strong glue or a glue gun
- A drill
Of course, you don’t need to purchase all these items - but as many of the tutorials below will feature one or more of these tools, it’s a good idea to source some.
Alternatively, why not ask if friends or family can lend you them for a weekend - or join one of the many clubs and community classes online that do tool share? If you live in a place with a big enough community, this could also prove a handy way of meeting people with similar hobbies and interests.
Now, without further ado - here’s our goldmine of ideas!
Large furniture projects
If you've ever found yourself in the home decor corner of TikTok or Pinterest, chances are you've probably stumbled upon large upcycling furniture projects.
The idea of transforming a useless or unloved item of furniture into a statement piece is so appealing, makes for great social media content and is - often - why people love upcycling.
With large projects like this, remember you might not get it finished in a day. Some of the projects in this list may take a week (or even two), depending on the time you have available. It’s also a great idea to get a friend or relative involved, as sometimes you may require an extra pair of hands!
Don’t rush it, though. As with all furniture - you want quality to be the key. Take your time and ensure you’re building something that’ll stand the test of time.
Some projects you can tackle include working with pallets, garden furniture, or even building a new-look table. For some inspiration, why not check out these blog posts?
Upcycling garden furniture
Working with pallets
How about a new table?
Quirky furniture projects
With upcycling, the quirkier, the better. Whilst a lot of the ideas in our last section are relatively well-known in the world of upcycling - the ideas below are a little more unique. The materials in these tutorials may be a little more challenging to get your hands on, but the finished look is worth it.
How does fish in your TV or a suitcase table sound?
Got too many pan lids and nothing to do with them?
Or, here are ten more unique ideas
Remember to keep your eyes open for possibilities - the joy of upcycling is being creative, so let your creative mind run free! The possibilities are endless.
Small decor projects
Unfortunately, not all of us live in a big house with space for big upcycling projects. So for those with less floor space, who still want to get crafty and still want to try upcycling, these small decor projects are ideal.
In most houses, it’s the little details that make it feel like home - so doing smaller projects can be the perfect way to give your house a personal, homely feel.
Here are some fantastic profiles to check out:
Upcycle That
DIY Mum
Upcycling by Amy
The House of Upcycling
Garden projects
Upcycling doesn’t need to be restricted to inside your house! There are loads of amazing tutorials for garden projects too! If you enjoy getting out during the summer-time, taking on an upcycling project would be a great way to get creative, and get some fresh air too.
Garden projects can make your outdoor area feel fresh and trendy - and you can guarantee none of your neighbours will have a space looking as good as yours!
Video tutorials
Of course, upcycling guides aren’t restricted to blog posts - many creatives have uploaded video tutorials too. If you’re the kind of person who likes to see the process whilst you work, video tutorials may be the perfect guide for you. You can stop and start the video at leisure and go along at just the right speed.
Some of our favourite tutorials can be found on YouTube - or by searching #upcycling on TikTok.
Ready to get to work?
So now that you’ve read through all this incredible inspiration and finished our ultimate guide to upcycling - where do you begin? Choosing your first (or next) project can be tricky, as there are so many incredible tutorials and ideas online.
But don't forget that AnyVan are here to help move any furniture you may need for your next project!