The topic of upcycling has been on the rise for quite a while and above all upcycling ideas for furniture: pallet sofas are no longer considered spartan but hip, a shelf made of old wine crates is no longer improvised but rustic and chic! The word “upcycling” originally comes from the words “up” (“upward”) and “recycling” (“reuse”) and describes a creative process: Creating something new out of old things and bringing the whole thing to a new use is not only great fun, it is too useful in terms of sustainability! Disused objects that otherwise end up in the dustbin are used for handicrafts and construction with a lot of love and an eye for detail, resulting in unusual decorations and furniture that are just bursting with creativity. This not only makes the heart of all hobby craftsmen beat faster, it also means that less thrown away becomes! And finally, by upcycling, you have completely individual pieces of furniture that are unique.
Upcycling furniture ideas: DIY projects for do-it-yourselfers
If you have a bit of manual skills, you can start upcycling straight away: Complete furniture can be built from old materials according to your own ideas. There are no ready-made instructions for this – your own creativity is required here, but tips for processing can be found on various DIY portals. For exciting projects that cost little, the following materials are suitable, for example:
- pallets
- wine cases
- cable drums
- Driftwood (branches, boards)
With a little time will A whole bed is made from old pallets, wine crates are converted into shelves and a cable drum is converted into a stylish side table. This avoids waste, is easy on the wallet and creates a living environment with individual flair. However, make sure that you use materials that non-toxic (e.g. by only using untreated pallets that are free of toxins)! Before the actual work begins, the following work steps must be carried out: Clean, sand, paint and glaze material. Sanding and treating the wood is important to avoid catching splinters. The material must also be treated to protect it from dirt and water. Which tools and additional materials you then need for the upcycling depends on the respective project – maybe start with a simpler DIY idea before you tackle complex upcycling projects.
Upcycling ideas for furniture: these possibilities exist
If the piece of furniture is too expensive for you, you can turn to the topic Upcycling with existing furniture attic or flea market finds can be upgraded in just a few simple steps… And even the old chest of drawers from the furniture store can shine in new splendor after a few years.
Upcycling furniture: 3 easy options
- Attach new knobs: Knobs can work wonders in the overall picture and truly enhance furniture! A wide variety of models can be found at the flea market or in classified ads: Colourful, monochrome, made of wood, metal or ceramics etc. … see what you like and simply screw on new handles. And if that’s not enough pep, you can combine different models with each other.
- A new coat of paint: Would you like some color? A new coat of paint can work wonders and even make grandma’s yellowed dresser shine again! You can choose from natural resin, synthetic resin and acrylic paints as well as chalk paints and glazes – ask your hardware store which option is best for your material and the desired look. Make sure that the surface is free of dust and grease before painting! If the old furniture has already been painted, it must also be stripped or sanded down before a new coat of paint can be applied. Chalk paints are an exception, however, as they can be applied directly to wood veneers or paint (but here, too, the surface must be free of dust and grease). Chalk paints are a great way to give your furniture a shabby chic look and give it that typical used look.
a notice: Before use, always read the manufacturer’s instructions, wear protective clothing and only use paint and glazes in a well-ventilated area.
- Stamps and stencils: You use stamps and stencils to set individual highlights on seemingly meaningless furniture. Stamps are first painted and then pressed onto the flat surface. With stencils, on the other hand, the color is dabbed on – this prevents the color from sliding under the stencil template and blurring the outlines.
Need more upcycling inspiration? Click through our gallery and see what you can do with existing material!
Furniture Upcycling Ideas: More ideas
There are many unusual upcycling ideas on social media platforms. Time to try! Maybe you will soon have such an individual pouf at home!
Would you like more ideas about upcycling, handicrafts and handicrafts? Here you will find creative upcycling ideas for the garden. Here you can find out how you can build garden furniture yourself and here we explain how chalk paint can be made yourself.
Sources used: obi.com, gartenhaus-gmbh.de