09 Upcycling Ideas: The Ultimate List for 2024

In 2023, the “Green Revolution” is well underway, but what exactly does that entail? And how can you accept changes that are sustainable in order to help the environment? This article will define upcycling, discuss its environmental benefits, and offer suggestions for repurposing your garbage into treasure.

Upcycling projects around the home are a brilliant start, but there is a lot you can do in the garden. Here’s a list of ideas to help you start your next outdoor project!

1. Colander Hanging Baskets

Don’t just discard your kitchen colanders if they seem like they’ve seen better days! Colanders may be transformed into the ideal hanging plant containers with a little imagination and a lick of vibrant paint.

2. DIY Garden Bench

Creating a garden bench is a fantastic way to add both functionality and charm to your outdoor space. Here’s a simple guide to building a basic garden bench:

Materials Needed:

1. Wood: Choose durable, weather-resistant wood such as cedar, redwood, or treated lumber.
2. Screws: Opt for corrosion-resistant screws, such as galvanized or stainless steel.
3. Measuring Tape
4. Circular Saw or Hand Saw
5. Drill with Drill Bits
6. Sanding Paper or Sander
7. Wood Stain or Paint (optional)

Steps:

1. Measure and cut the wood.
   • Decide on the dimensions of your bench. A typical bench is around 18 inches high, 18 inches deep, and 4-6 feet long.
   • Using the measuring tape and saw, cut the wood into the required pieces: two legs, a seat, and possibly some support pieces if needed.
2. Assemble the legs:
   • Place the two leg pieces parallel to each other, standing upright.
   • Attach the seat piece horizontally across the top of the legs, ensuring it’s level and securely attached. You can use screws to attach the pieces together.
3. Add support (if necessary):
   • Depending on the length of your bench, you may need to add support pieces underneath the seat for added stability. Attach these securely to the legs and the underside of the seat.
4. Sand the Bench:
   • Use sandpaper or a sander to smooth out any rough edges and surfaces. This step is crucial for comfort and aesthetics.
5. Optional Finishing:
   • Apply a wood stain or paint to protect the wood from the elements and enhance its appearance. Make sure to let it dry completely before using the bench.
6. Place in Your Garden:
   • Once the bench is assembled and finished, place it in your garden in a spot where you can enjoy the view and relax.

Tips:

• Consider adding cushions or pillows for extra comfort.
• If you’re not confident in your woodworking skills, you can purchase pre-cut pieces or even ready-to-assemble kits for garden benches.
• Always wear appropriate safety gear, such as goggles and gloves, when working with tools and wood.

With these steps, you’ll have a charming garden bench where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your outdoor space.

3. Outdoor Pallet Sofa Chair

Pallets are another affordable and easily obtainable material for making one-of-a-kind outdoor furniture. With casters, you can make seats, tables, and even a sofa.

4. DIY Upcycled Wood Pallet Vertical Garden

Creating a vertical garden from upcycled wood pallets is a fantastic way to maximize space and add a touch of greenery to any outdoor or indoor area. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your own:

Materials Needed:

1. Wooden Pallet: Make sure it’s clean and in good condition.
2. Landscape Fabric or Weed Barrier
3. Staple Gun
4. Potting Soil
5. Small Plants or Herbs
6. Hammers, nails, or Screws
7. Sandpaper or Sander (optional)

Steps:

1. Prepare the Pallet:
   • If the pallet is dirty or has rough edges, you may want to sand it down to make it smoother and safer to handle.
2. Attach the Landscape Fabric:
   • Lay the pallet flat on the ground with the side you want to be the back facing up.
   • Cut a piece of landscape fabric or weed barrier slightly larger than the back of the pallet.
   • Use a staple gun to attach the fabric to the back of the pallet, covering the openings between the slats. Make sure it’s securely fastened.
3. Fill with soil:
   • Stand the pallet upright, with the fabric-covered side facing you.
   • Begin filling each section between the slats with potting soil. Press down gently to compact the soil as you fill each section.
4. Plant Your Garden:
   • Once the pallet is filled with soil, it’s time to plant your chosen plants or herbs. You can plant directly in the soil between the slats.
   • Choose plants that are suitable for vertical gardening, and consider the amount of sunlight your vertical garden will receive.
5. Securely Mount Your Vertical Garden:
   • Decide where you want to place your vertical garden, whether it’s against a wall or fence outdoors or inside against a sturdy surface.
   • Use nails or screws to securely mount the pallet to the chosen surface, making sure it’s stable and won’t tip over.
6. Water and Care:
   • Water your vertical garden regularly, making sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged.
   • Monitor your plants for signs of growth and health, and prune as needed to keep them thriving.

Tips:

• Choose plants that have similar water and sunlight requirements for easier maintenance.
• Consider adding a layer of gravel at the bottom of each section to improve drainage.
• Get creative with your plant choices and arrangements to create a unique and beautiful vertical garden.

With these steps, you’ll have a stunning upcycled wood pallet vertical garden to enjoy in your space.

5. A unique Path made from Upcycled Finds

It’s likely that, whether you’re mudlarking or beachcombing, you’ll come across some intriguing discoveries. However, have you considered utilising them for another purpose? Any garden walk can benefit from a pop of colour thanks to this unique garden path constructed from upcycled finds.

5. Recycled Herb Planters and Upcycled Wooden Ladder

Creating recycled herb planters and upcycling a wooden ladder into a functional and charming herb garden is a creative and sustainable way to grow your own herbs. Here’s how you can do it:

Recycled Herb Planters:

Materials Needed:

1. Recycled Containers: Look for items like old cans, mason jars, or plastic bottles.
2. Drill with Drill Bits
3. Potting Soil
4. Herb Plants or Seeds
5. Labels (optional)

Steps:

1. Prepare the Containers:
   • Clean the recycled containers thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue.
   • If using cans or bottles, you may need to drill drainage holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
2. Fill with soil:
   • Fill each container with potting soil, leaving some space at the top for planting the herbs.
3. Plant Your Herbs:
   • Plant your chosen herb plants or seeds into each container, following the instructions for planting depth and spacing.
   • You can label each container with the name of the herb using markers or decorative labels if desired.
4. Arrange Your Herb Planters:
   • Arrange your recycled herb planters in a sunny spot where they’ll receive adequate sunlight for healthy growth.
   • Consider grouping them together for easy access and visual appeal.
5. Water and Care:
   • Water your herb planters regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
   • Monitor the growth of your herbs and harvest them as needed for fresh culinary use.

Upcycled Wooden Ladder Herb Garden:

Materials Needed:

1. Wooden Ladder: Choose a sturdy wooden ladder in good condition.
2. Screws or Nails
3. Potting Soil
4. Herb Plants or Seeds
5. Labels (optional)

Steps:

1. Prepare the Ladder:
   • Clean the wooden ladder and sand it down if necessary to remove any rough edges or splinters.
2. Secure the Ladder:
   • Decide whether you want to lean the ladder against a wall or fence, or if you prefer to hang it horizontally.
   • Secure the ladder in place using screws or nails, ensuring it’s stable and won’t wobble.
3. Add Planter Boxes or Pots:
   • Place planter boxes or pots on each step of the ladder, ensuring they’re securely positioned and won’t fall off.
   • Alternatively, you can attach small wooden boxes or containers to the ladder using screws or nails.
4. Fill with Soil and Plant Herbs:
   • Fill each planter box or pot with potting soil, leaving some space at the top for planting.
   • Plant your chosen herb plants or seeds into each container, following the same steps as with the recycled herb planters.
5. Arrange and Water:
   • Arrange your ladder herb garden in a sunny location where your herbs will thrive.
   • Water the herbs regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Tips:

• Choose herbs that you frequently use in cooking to make the most of your herb garden.
• Regularly prune your herbs to encourage healthy growth and prolong the harvest.
• Get creative with your recycled containers and ladder design to add personality to your herb garden.

With these steps, you’ll have a beautiful and sustainable herb garden using recycled materials and upcycled wooden ladder, perfect for adding fresh flavors to your culinary creations.

6. DIY Upcycled Planters

If you’ve ever tried to purchase a planter online and realised that you’re estimating the size and not sure if it will fit your plants or the available space, there’s another method to update your current planters to meet your needs: use these DIY Upcycling ideas.

6. Recycled Watering Can

Creating a recycled watering can is a wonderful way to repurpose materials and reduce waste while still having a functional gardening tool. Here’s how you can make one:

Materials Needed:

1. Empty Plastic Bottle: Choose a sturdy plastic bottle with a screw-on cap, such as a soda or juice bottle.
2. Drill with Drill Bit
3. Sharp Knife or Scissors
4. Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
5. Decorative Materials (optional): Paint, stickers, ribbons, etc.

Steps:

1. Prepare the Bottle:
   • Clean the plastic bottle thoroughly to remove any residue or labels.
   • Remove the bottle cap and discard it, as you’ll be creating a spout for the watering can.
2. Create the Spout:
   • Use a sharp knife or scissors to carefully cut off the top of the bottle, leaving a portion of the neck intact to form the spout.
   • You can trim the edges of the spout to make it more streamlined and easier to pour water from.
3. Drill Holes for Watering:
   • Using a drill with a small drill bit, carefully make several holes in the cap of the plastic bottle.
   • These holes will allow water to flow out when you use the watering can.
4. Attach the Spout:
   • Use a hot glue gun to securely attach the spout to the bottle neck.
   • Apply glue around the edges of the spout and press it firmly onto the bottle, ensuring a tight seal.
5. Decorate (optional):
   • Get creative and decorate your recycled watering can with paint, stickers, ribbons, or any other decorative materials you have on hand.
   • This step adds a personal touch to your watering can and makes it visually appealing.
6. Fill and Test:
   • Fill your newly created watering can with water and screw on the cap.
   • Test it out by gently pouring water onto your plants to ensure the holes in the cap allow for a steady flow of water.

Tips:

• Choose a plastic bottle size that suits your needs, depending on the size of your plants and the amount of water you typically use.
• Make sure to use a sturdy plastic bottle that can withstand regular use without breaking or leaking.
• If you don’t have a hot glue gun, you can use strong adhesive tape or waterproof sealant to attach the spout to the bottle.

With these steps, you’ll have a functional and eco-friendly watering can made from recycled materials, perfect for nurturing your plants and garden while reducing waste.

7. DIY Welly Boot Planters

This is the ideal solution if you have an abundance of old wellies or your children have outgrown them but you just can’t force yourself to throw them away. They can be used again as planters in the garden!

8. Mason Jar Terrarium

Creating a mason jar terrarium is a beautiful and low-maintenance way to bring a touch of nature indoors. Here’s how you can make one:

Materials Needed:

1. Mason Jar: Choose a clear glass mason jar or any similar glass container with a wide opening.
2. Small Rocks or Pebbles
3. Activated Charcoal (optional)
4. Potting Soil
5. Small Plants: Choose plants that thrive in a terrarium environment, such as succulents, air plants, or ferns.
6. Decorative Elements (optional): Small figurines, decorative stones, moss, etc.
7. Watering Can or Spray Bottle

Steps:

1. Prepare the Jar:
   • Make sure the mason jar is clean and dry before you start assembling your terrarium.
2. Add Drainage Layer:
   • Start by adding a layer of small rocks or pebbles to the bottom of the mason jar. This will create drainage and prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
3. Optional Charcoal Layer:
   • If desired, add a thin layer of activated charcoal on top of the rocks. Activated charcoal helps to filter the water and keep the terrarium fresh.
4. Add Potting Soil:
   • Carefully add a layer of potting soil on top of the rocks and charcoal, filling the jar about one-third to halfway full.
5. Plant Your Plants:
   • Create small holes in the soil using your fingers or a small spoon.
   • Gently remove the plants from their pots and place them into the holes in the soil.
   • Arrange the plants in a pleasing manner, considering their size and growth habits.
6. Add Decorative Elements (optional):
   • If desired, add decorative elements such as small figurines, decorative stones, or moss to enhance the visual appeal of your terrarium.
7. Water Your Terrarium:
   • Use a watering can or spray bottle to lightly water the plants and soil in the terrarium. Be careful not to overwater, as terrariums are generally low-maintenance and don’t require much water.
8. Place in Indirect Light:
   • Find a spot for your mason jar terrarium where it will receive indirect sunlight, such as near a window but away from direct sunlight.
   • Terrariums thrive in environments with filtered or indirect light.
9. Maintenance:
   • Check your terrarium occasionally to ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
   • Trim any dead or yellowing leaves from the plants to keep the terrarium looking fresh and healthy.

Tips:

• Choose plants that have similar light and moisture requirements for easier maintenance.
• Keep the terrarium sealed for the first few days to create a humid environment for the plants, then remove the lid occasionally to allow for airflow.
• Experiment with different plant combinations and arrangements to create unique and beautiful terrariums.

With these steps, you’ll have a stunning mason jar terrarium to enjoy in your home, bringing a little piece of nature indoors.