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In the interior design world, a new movement is fast emerging; this movement is one of upcycled furniture ideas, the process of giving old furniture a new lease of life. With many different names such as revamping, repurposing, reclaiming, reimagining, or salvaging, its purpose remains the same, which is to reduce waste and create a more sustainable future. Want to give it a go? Keep on reading, and we’ll introduce you to some ideas on how to upcycle your old furniture and turn it from drab to fab’.
Give a Charity Shop Find a New Lease of Life
If you’re looking to upcycle on a budget, your local charity shop could be ripe with outdated furniture begging for a new lease of life. If this is your first project, we recommend finding a charity shop gem or an old stool as a starting point because it doesn’t matter quite as much if the upcycle doesn’t go to plan. Charity shops can offer a selection of vintage or niche items that could increase value after being upcycled; if your design is clever, you can make it more desirable, financially and aesthetically.
Salvage Wood for Minimalist Shelving
If you desire more shelving space, save yourself money on new shelves by using salvaged wood planks. All you have to do is choose your desired length and cut it to size before placing it on wall brackets – which you can purchase from your local DIY store or online. Want to give your new, repurposed selves some character? You could always paint the wood for some extra finesse, and don’t forget to use a good quality sealant or wood hardener to protect and preserve your hard work.
Repurpose an Old Ladder
You could give an old wooden ladder a new lease of life by repurposing it for storage purposes. Commonly used around the house as extra storage for towels or tea towels, a simple ladder is an attractive solution for somewhere to hang textiles. You could always make the ladder more aesthetically pleasing with a fresh coat of paint and coordinate it to suit the house design and blend in with your decor. If you’d like some more inspiration, or you’d like to see a towel ladder in action, take a look at these bathroom storage ideas.
Using a Stencil or Adding a Splash of Paint to Give Furniture a New Look
One of the easiest ways to transform an old piece of furniture is by adding a new coat of paint or even a stencil. Consider items in your household that are perfectly functional but outdated; it could be anything from an old sideboard, chest of drawers, or even a dining table, and give it a makeover. For instance, you could paint the outside to match the room’s decor but paint the inside an accent shade, so you get a bright pop of colour when the drawers are opened. Or you could source or create your own stencils, such as a floral pattern, leaves, or birds, and apply that to rejuvenate an item easily.