At the start of a new year, clear-outs are at the top of many people’s lists. But you don’t have to throw everything away; some items can be turned into real treasures – for example, an old ladder can easily be transformed into shelves! Here we describe this and six other incredible upcycling projects. You may not even recognise the original item at first glance!
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Upcycling in the kitchen
Old colanders aren’t really much use in the kitchen anymore. But as lampshades, they can flood your dining room or kitchen with warm, cosy light! Our tip: for a more retro look and feel, rummage around in a second-hand shop or vintage flea market – you’re bound to find colanders there from decades ago.
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Ladder-shelves: be creative with your storage
Our second upcycling project (from the Blog kiezcouture) is easier to put together than any IKEA shelving, and is unique: shelves made from an old ladder. All you need is a ladder with rungs, some wooden boards for the shelves, plus screws. Use a cordless combi drill to secure the shelves to the ladder.
And here’s another thing you can use an old ladder for: a DIY coat hanger. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
A STYLISH SPLASH OF COLOUR
A used ladder covered in old paint will make your new shelving or warbrobe truly unique.
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Storage 2.0: wave goodbye to messy drawers
Having too many drawers is never a good thing, because you can easily end up accumulating way too much stuff over the years. Here’s one trick to help you out: simply remove the drawers from the chest and hang them on the wall instead. It’s best to remove the handles first. You can see before and after pictures here.
If you need even more storage, you can easily fit some wooden shelves in your cabinet with screws and a cordless combi drill. But don’t go overboard when filling the shelves – remember, open cabinets like this look better neat and tidy.
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Designer furniture or upcycling project?
Who would’ve guessed that this stylish table was made from glued together magazine holders and a stool? As well as offering a place to stow your magazines and newspapers, you can also rest your coffee mug or laptop on top. Clever, eh?
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Welcome to your new home, clothes!
Is your chair broken, with only three good legs left? Wait – don’t throw it out! Because here comes project number five: clothes hangers made from sawn-off chairs, mounted to the wall. You’ll need the following tools and equipment: circular saw, multi-sander, pencil, ear protection, safety glasses, screw clamps, one or two chairs, a wooden slat, four screws (4 x 50 mm, D x L) and two wall anchors and screws for mounting.
First, use the pencil and wooden slat to mark up a line on the chair for sawing. Try to ensure that it is as straight as possible. Then secure the chair with the screw clamps and saw along the line. The wooden slat, which you’ll later attach to the wall to help secure the chair, should be sawn down so that it’s as long as the width of the chair. After sawing, sand down the chair thoroughly. For seats with decorative details, this is much easier using a sanding roller.
Now it’s time to mount your chairs: select a suitable wall anchor and screws to secure the wooden slat to the wall. In our tutorial on determining what type of wall you have, we tell you exactly what you need. As soon as the slat is mounted to the wall, you can set the chair on it and screw it in – and hey presto, you have somewhere new to hang up your clothes!
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A room with a (new) view
Here’s a stylish idea that’s sure to catch the eye: a picture frame made from an old wooden window frame. Simply attach some plywood to the back of the window, fill it with pictures and you’re done. Photos from your favourite holidays are a particularly fun addition!
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Time flies, especially when you have kids
As your children grow older, you may be left wondering what to do with their old beds. Whatever you do, don’t hurry to throw them away. With a fresh lick of paint and some hooks, you can transform an old bed into coat hangers for your hallway. What’s more, you’ll have a constant reminder of just how little your little ones used to be. You can find instructions for this project on the myrepurposedlife blog.
FAQs
“When you upcycle an item, you aren't breaking down the materials. You may be refashioning it — like cutting a T-shirt into strips of yarn — but it's still made of the same materials as when you started. Also, the upcycled item is typically better or the same quality as the original.”
What is DIY upcycling? ›
Upcycling is the process of recreating new items from used or unwanted materials. It is an innovative way for anyone to reduce waste anywhere at any time – you can be as creative as you want to be.
How can we do upcycling? ›
Some of the earliest examples of upcycling include turning old clothing into aprons, rags, and cloths and sanding down the edges of broken jars or glasses to reuse them as flowerpots, utensil holders, and reusable paper towel holders. In many ways, upcycling is an Earth-minded trend that's still coming into its heyday.
What is the easiest thing to upcycle? ›
Repurpose Glass Jars
And glass jars are one of the easiest items to upcycle. Clean them out, soak them in warm water to remove the label and you can use them pretty much anywhere in your house. Glass jars are great for storing dry goods in your pantry like rice, beans, pasta, and flour.
What is upcycling for kids? ›
Upcycling is taking something we normally recycle and transforming it into something more valuable. We create too much waste, and upcycling is a fun way to reduce the amount of garbage we generate.
What is an upcycle item? ›
“Upcycling is taking something that's considered waste and repurposing it. The upcycled item often becomes more functional or beautiful than it previously was. That's why it's called upcycling, because the value of the item is increased!” defined UpcycleThat.com on their “About Upcycling” page.
Is upcycling good or bad? ›
Upcycling is incredibly beneficial for the planet. It accomplishes several things at once: It reuses materials we already have, and it creates something new. Giving used products a new life reduces the need to use unethically sourced or unsustainable materials, like plastic, to create new products.
Is it legal to upcycle? ›
Without a careful analysis, a company selling upcycled goods could be subject to trademark or copyright infringement claims. In some cases, though, neither IP right would be implicated, so seeking the advice of experienced counsel is critical. Context is key.
Is upcycling a hobby? ›
It's really one of the most creative hobbies out there, and once you start, I'm betting you will be hooked. Not only are you helping the planet when you upcycle, you are also transforming your “trash” into one-of-a-kind pieces your friends and family will admire.
Where do I start upcycling? ›
The first part of any upcycling journey starts with sourcing a suitable item to revamp. Furniture is popular, but you could also repurpose clothing, toys, Art, home accessories and so much more. One of the best places to look is within your own home – anything a bit unloved, broken or outdated are rich pickings.
Upcycling typically involves taking something and adding value to it, either by altering the piece or extending its life cycle. Creating a new piece of jewelry from the materials of another piece or salvaging a discarded piece of jewelry to wear or gift is a great way to upcycle materials.
What are the best materials for upcycling? ›
Some of the most commonly upcycled materials include:
- Glass.
- Ceramics.
- Plastic.
- Cardboard.
- Wood.
- Paper.
- Metal/cans.
- Styrofoam.
Simply put, upcycling is reusing the same fabric and transforming it into something else, something better. On the other hand, fabric recycling is all about first breaking down the materials and then reconstituting them into something different.
How do you upcycle everyday items? ›
10 creative ways to upcycle household items
- Turn Old T-Shirts into a Quilt. ...
- Repurpose Glass Jars into Storage Containers. ...
- Transform Old Furniture with Paint. ...
- Create a Herb Garden with Tin Cans. ...
- Use Old Bed Sheets as Curtains. ...
- Turn Wine Corks into Coasters. ...
- Repurpose a Ladder as a Bookshelf. ...
- Use Old Tires as Garden Planters.
With a bit of creativity, almost anything can be upcycled: worn shutters, wood pallets, cardboard packaging, tattered clothing — even your old toothpaste tubes. Turn unwanted items into chic home decor, modern furniture or a functional light fixture.
