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The term “upcycling” describes the process of finding a new purpose for an old object, extending its useful life and preventing it from being discarded. Upcycling may be seen everywhere, from clothing to furniture. For example, discarded materials are frequently repurposed in the fashion and furniture industries, increasing the item’s market value. Repurposing old furniture is a great way to update your home’s look and feel while lessening your environmental footprint. Even better, anyone can give it a shot if they have access to the necessary resources and basic training. But here is how you can upcycle old furniture for less.
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4 Simple Ways To Upcycle Old Furniture For Less
Many people wrongly believe that recycling and upcycling are the same, but they are not. Recycling involves breaking down an item into parts so those parts can be used to produce new products, while upcycling involves transforming those products into something entirely new. When you recycle plastic, for instance, the material can be repurposed to create footwear, but when you upcycle, the entire object is put to use; the item’s original purpose is maintained.
In a nutshell, upcycling may be done in the comfort of one’s home, while recycling requires specialised equipment.
To revitalise furniture with less cost and maximum impact, consider upcycling. You don’t have to be a master of do-it-yourself projects to join in. Don’t know where to begin? Keep reading for some simple and cheap methods for repurposing old furniture.
Plan Ahead
Preparation is essential for upcycling. Make sure you have everything you need to complete the work and plan. You might get an old spider web on your paintbrush if you don’t.
Before repurposing furniture, you should decide what you want to repurpose and why. You might already have some old furniture in storage or something lying around the house that needs a second chance, or you might have just seen something in a charity shop or second-hand store that would be perfect with a little TLC.
When buying used furniture, it’s essential to know what you want to do with it so you don’t buy useless pieces that will just sit around and gather dust. If you find something you like, try to imagine it in your home before buying it.
Make sure the structure of the furniture is good for what you want to use it for. Especially before you buy it. If you see a piece of old wood furniture with holes, it probably had woodworm. You need to be open to different ideas to find a unique piece. If you think outside the box, you can use crates as shelves or old doors as chairs.
Add Little Touches
If you like the colours of your furniture but want to change the way it looks, why not replace the old fittings with new ones? Putting on new handles is one of the easiest ways to give a piece of old furniture, like a chest of drawers, a side table, or a wardrobe, a new look.
Adding new pull handles or door knobs to your cupboards can make a big difference in the way your room looks. Since there are so many ideas, there’s no limit to how creative you can get with your existing cupboard furniture.
New drawer or wardrobe handles are a great way to make an old piece look new, whether you are refinishing the whole dresser or just giving it a new look. With them, you get to add some personality to even the most boring piece of furniture. You can check out Corston Ltd for a collection of cupboard furniture handles and knobs.
Consider Painting
Are you sick of seeing the same old table and chairs every time you eat? You can give life to old, boring furniture with a quick paintbrush stroke. This is your chance to try out different colours and patterns to make something really unique.
You can try water-based paints. Which are known to be long-lasting, dry quickly, and are great if you want a glossier finish.
If you’re doing an outdoor upcycling project, choose paints that are made to give a tough, long-lasting finish that protects against all kinds of weather. Before you start, you should always wipe away any dust or marks and prepare the piece with a primer. This will make it look as good as new.
Try Stencilling To Give Old Furniture A New Look
When you are starting to upcycle old furniture, stencilling is a fantastic way to express your individuality while giving a personal touch to the piece you are working on. The most crucial step is selecting the stencilling technique most appropriate for the artwork you are working on. Whether you want art deco, a sketch, or even a child’s name, stencils are a way to decorate your furniture that is practically guaranteed to turn out correctly.
Stencilling is not the same as painting, but it’s still loads of fun. You can use stencils on any surface. Using them over varnish that is still slightly sticky makes them the simplest to work with. After the surface to be decorated has dried completely, the stencil must be appropriately affixed so that the design’s edges don’t blur.