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  5. Upcycling
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  7. Page 2

Upcycling

Upcycling is taking any old item and giving it a new use either as it is or with a little modification. For instance, something like an old suitcase can be used for decorative storage. Or, an old kitchen funnel can be made into a stylish pendant light. Of all the DIY projects, upcycling is the most affordable and offers so many unique options. You will never look at vintage, trash or junk items in the same way again!

Probably the most popular place to find items to upcycle are at flea markets. People seem to already know that the old things they are selling having definite design potential. They also know which items are the most popular, for use in DIY, and may price them higher based on that. Other places to look are garage or estate sales. It can be harder to find specific items but when you do they are typically priced lower than even flea markets. To get the most affordability, definitely check around your own home. Go search those storage boxes and garage items and look for their potential. Pretty much anything that you no longer have a use for can be upcycled into something new.

Things To Upcycle

The following posts will provide you with plenty of inspiration for upcycling what you have.

UPCYCLING WITH ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE

Architectural salvage items include materials that have come from an old home structure. Things like old windows, doors, door knobs, pillars, and shutters are all good examples of architectural salvage. All of these things can be made into new items like furniture, chalkboards, coat racks, or headboards. There are many specific architectural salvage stores but you can also find these items and flea markets and antique stores.

UPCYCLING WITH FLEA MARKET FINDS

Shopping flea markets will give you so many possibilities. Look for old kitchen gadgets, cans, furniture parts, old suitcases and plenty of other vintage items.

UPCYCLING WITH THRIFT STORE FINDS

Old furniture with good bones is great to find at thrift stores. The prices are normally fantastic and the furnishings have lots of potential. Besides general makeovers, you can also upcycle a piece of furniture for a completely new use. Examples are a dresser turned into a tv stand or bar cart.

UNIQUE WAYS TO UPCYCLE OLD STUFF

Creative examples of ways to repurpose a wide variety of items. Besides old items like suitcases or old cutting boards, these ideas include ways to repurpose trash items like cans from the pantry.

DECORATING WITH LADDERS

What happens when an old ladder is no longer safe to use? You definitely do not throw it out. There are so many cool ways to decorate with old ladders and use them for other purposes like a pot rack. Whether you have an old step ladder or a long wooden or metal ladder, there are lots of creative ways to incorporate them into your decor.

creative ways to use old bottles
by Renee Hanlon - January 12, 2019June 19, 2019

Creative Things To Do With Glass Bottles

Every time that I visit an antique store, I seem to be drawn to old glass bottles - especially the ones with labels. I don't always know what I will do with them at the time but I usually figure something out. Because I like vintage bottles so much, I came up with these ideas

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decorating with old shutters
by Renee Hanlon - January 5, 2019April 15, 2019

Decorating With Old Shutters In 12 Ways

Architectural salvage items can make some of the best home decor accents for a rustic or farmhouse style home. One item in particular is old wooden shutters. Although they may no longer be suitable for using outside, decorating with old shutters inside the home is hot. When I shop the architectural salvage stores, I'm amazed

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ways to use old windows
by Renee Hanlon - January 3, 2019October 21, 2020

50 Ways To Use Old Windows

If you've ever renovated an old home, chances are you have a collection of old windows to do something with. When my husband and I renovated a home built in 1901, we had quite an assortment of old windows to deal with. Instead of just disposing of these, there are plenty of ways to use

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old window crafts
by Renee Hanlon - December 7, 2018April 15, 2019

Old Window Crafts

I can never get enough of old window crafts! The chippy charm and decorative ideas are just too hard to resist. They are great for framing photos, artwork, or maps. However, there are also some fantastic DIY projects that you can do. Here is a collection of old window crafts that transform the windows into

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vintage sled coffee table
by Renee Hanlon - November 25, 2018June 27, 2019

Unique Coffee Tables Made From Vintage Finds

Check out these unique coffee tables made from vintage sleds, a luggage cart, card catalog and more!

diy t-shirt rug
by Renee Hanlon - November 8, 2018April 18, 2019

Recycle Old Clothes Into Fun Home Decor

Did you ever think that pretty home decor could come straight out of your closet? There is no need to get rid of all that unworn apparel when it can be used in another way! Instead of looking at the old clothes as something worn, look at the colors, patterns, and textures of the fabric.

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upcycling ideas
by Renee Hanlon - October 25, 2018October 25, 2020

Easy Upcycling Ideas For Your Old Things

If you are decorating on a budget or simply just don't like seeing things go to waste, you'll love these upcycling ideas for the home. I try to upcycle whenever I can and find it very rewarding. When you can give new life to an old things, it's a win win. You not only eliminate

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thrift store chair makeover
by Renee Hanlon - October 15, 2018April 15, 2019

Best Thrift Store Finds And Makeovers

Get inspired by these amazing makeovers from thrift store finds. They will have you running out to search for your own deals!

ways to repurpose - cutting board made into a rustic spice rack
by Renee Hanlon - October 2, 2018February 4, 2021

50 Unique Ways To Repurpose Old Stuff

Pull out your unwanted items and repurpose them using the unique ideas in one of the fifty recycled crafts found here!

decorating with architectural salvage - salvaged windows
by Renee Hanlon - September 12, 2018April 15, 2019

Decorating With Architectural Salvage

See how you can incorporate architectural salvage into your home whether you are remodeling or you just want to add some unique interest.

DIY book picture frame
by Renee Hanlon - September 6, 2018April 15, 2019

DIY Book Picture Frame Using A Vintage Book

Although I love vintage books in their proper form, sometimes it's best to repurpose one for a different use. One such book, that I had, was already starting to fall apart. Instead of throwing it out, I decided to make a book picture frame. A book cover, without the pages, makes a perfect easel for

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DIY headboard ideas
by Renee Hanlon - September 5, 2018July 23, 2019

Ten Super Easy DIY Headboard Ideas

If you are looking for a quick and easy headboard that is still full of style, check out these ten diy headboard ideas.

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About Author
Renee Hanlon

I'm addicted to crafting and decorating my downtown urban loft and up north rustic cabin. Read more about me.

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