If you’re looking to refresh your home, there are a number of ways to do it. You could decorate in a different colour, experiment with some new lighting or go the whole hog and opt for a full-scale renovation.
They’re not the only options available to you, though. Upcycling furniture can be a great way to alter the aesthetic of your space, and it’s proving an increasingly popular choice for people up and down the UK.
But what exactly is upcycling? Why do people do it? And what are some of the things that you might need to help you get started? Read on to find out more.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling refers to the process of transforming waste or other unwanted items into pieces that offer practical, artistic or environmental value – or a combination of all three. For example, a second-hand coffee table could be upcycled into one that would look in keeping within a contemporary home. Upcycling furniture requires a keen eye for detail, some practical skill and a little artistic flair to bring the project to life.
Why do people upcycle furniture?
There are plenty of benefits to upcycling furniture. For a start, it can prove a lot more cost-effective than paying for branded pieces from a store, which may set you back hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
There is also a great sense of satisfaction to be had from putting your time and effort into a project and seeing it pay off with a rejuvenated piece of furniture. For many people, it’s a hobby that helps them to relax as well as teaching them some practical skills. Furthermore, upcycling furniture means waste is reduced and pieces do not go to landfill, which has a positive impact on our environment.
Where can you find pieces to upcycle?
If you’re prepared to take the time, scouring the charity shops can offer the perfect opportunity to get your hands on pieces to upcycle. From lamps and bedside stands to tables and chests of drawers, you can often find items with plenty of potential at a relatively low cost. The same can be said of antique stores – where you can even haggle to negotiate yourself a better deal – while online marketplaces such as Gumtree, Facebook and eBay provide a vast array of options too.
What might you need for your upcycling projects?
Having the furniture to work on is one thing, but you’ll need to make sure you have the right equipment to get the job done. As such, you might want to invest in various paints including a number of colours as well as gloss and eggshell finishes. You should also think about picking up a sander to help you smoothen the wooden surfaces of any pieces, not to mention a paintbrush set, cleaning fluids and a sewing kit for those all-important final decorative touches.
Images: Unsplash
