Upcycle, don’t shop: Climate and pocket-friendly ideas to give your pre-loved items a makeover

Are you looking for ideas to upcycle things at home? To create stylish yet sustainable décor for your house, try these do-it-yourself ideas.

Find, select, add to cart, and proceed to checkout. These days, shopping is really simple. Shutdown? Not an issue. With only a click of a button, you can now order goods from all over the world and have them delivered right to your home. When you are unable to travel, online shopping is fantastic, but nothing compares to the delight of doing something yourself. Try upcycling objects for enjoyable do-it-yourself projects at home that can also lessen your carbon footprint!

9 upcycling ideas for fun DIY projects

1. A natural way to go green

This is the one for you if you have a green thumb. Give old tin cans a luxurious makeover so your potted flowers and plants have a new place to live. Just paint solid colours or patterns over empty cans. Apply varnish to seal the paint and shield it from the weather next. Don’t forget to use a screwdriver to make holes at the bottom for drainage!

2. Hello, furniture that’s good as new

Do you want to update your outdated furniture? Sand down any worn areas and apply a fresh coat of paint in your favourite shade to easily make it seem brand new. Advice: Use stencils or sticker stickers to customise your space to fit the concept. Upon completion, you won’t even be able to tell!

3. Make a standout statement

This is a really great concept. You can use an old drawer as extra shelf space and artwork by hanging it on your wall. We adore a good home hack that saves space! For a splash of colour, line the inside of the drawer with wrapping paper. You could even stack a few to make a statement wall.

4. Cheers to one-of-a-kind drinking glasses

We are discussing the creation of handmade drinking glasses out of recycled bottles. Choose an empty bottle of your preferred beverage first. To finish and cut the edges, you’ll also need sandpaper and a glass cutter. There it is, your brand-new drinking glass.

5. From one painting to another

Tired with the paintings hanging on your wall? Why not repurpose old canvases to make a fresh, textured work of art? Brushes should be run over an already-completed canvas artwork that you no longer enjoy. It’s entirely up to you how it looks. Retain the painting’s textures underneath for a more edgy appearance.

6. Personalise your furniture

For further upcycling inspiration, consider making a statement piece out of an old chair by reupholstering it with fresh or repurposed fabric. Even using fabric with symbolic themes or gently used clothing that has brought back happy memories can offer a touch of nostalgia.

7. From bottle to table

You can never have too many drink coasters, so make your own wine cork coasters. Cut the corks in half for a cup coaster or leave them whole for larger pot coasters, depending on the size you want. If you’re feeling fancy, line the end product with lace or ribbons after using a glue gun to adhere the corks together.

8. Calling all makeup junkies

Save those shoeboxes once you’ve finished shopping for shoes. They work well for additional storage. With a glue gun, spray paint, and scissors, construct an opulent makeup organiser. Let your creativity go wild with the design! Who knows, maybe after they see what you’ve made, your buddies will start placing orders with you.

9. Kitchenware… in the bedroom?

It all depends on how you repurpose things. Who would have guessed that a cheese grater could be used for something else? Apply a layer of paint to it and utilise it as a holder for earrings (accessories not required). That takes care of your jewellery organising.

Thus, browse about your house for upcycling inspiration and ideas the next time you’re tempted to indulge in shop therapy. You might be shocked at what you discover! You’ll also be helping the environment and saving money.