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.
The following posts will provide you with plenty of inspiration for upcycling what you have.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Who would have ever thought that fruit crates, wine crates or other bottle crates would wind up as such popular pieces in home decor? The rustic vintage look has become so popular and these crates are the perfect accessory for warming things up and adding some nostalgic interest to a room. Are you wondering what
If you're not familiar with antique sugar molds, they are those long blocks of wood that have holes in the top. Originally, they were used for forming sugar into cones. However, now you quite often see them as home decor pieces. Most of the time you will see them in farmhouse style or other rustic
If you really look at a wine rack, you will see more than just a holder for wine bottles. The little cubbies or racks for bottles could have other uses as well. I'm going to show you several creative ways to repurpose wine racks in the home. Other Uses For Wine Racks Since there are
Why is it that vintage tool boxes have a certain attraction? I can't wander through an antique mall without spotting one that speaks to me. Whether wooden or metal, they all have a wonderful rustic appeal. Quite often though, I wonder what I would do with yet another old tool box. I have used metal
Get inspired by all of these unique ideas for using unusual items as wall hooks. See how you can use door knobs, shoe stretchers, wooden spools and more!
Haul out your old vintage tin containers and give them a new dressier shabby chic look with these simple embellishing ideas. Perfect for home or wedding!
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
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
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
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
Check out these unique coffee tables made from vintage sleds, a luggage cart, card catalog and more!
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.