What exactly is upcycling? Look it up in a dictionary and this is what you’ll find: the activity of making new furniture, objects, etc. out of old or used things or waste material. It’s all about finding new beauty in unwanted objects and giving them a new lease of life – all without costing the earth, both in the environmental and financial sense.
We’ve gathered together some simple ideas that are a great way to start upcyling. You don’t need to be an expert in DIY – these are easy ideas to try in your home this weekend.
A great place to start is an old chair and a can of chalk paint
Unwanted chairs are easy to find in charity shops, antique shops and even street corners. Old dark-brown-coloured wooden furniture is very unfashionable and, right now, it’s possible to buy it incredibly cheaply. Choose a simple wooden chair in a timeless style. You probably won’t like the current finish – maybe it's covered in dark orange varnish or chipped brown wood-stain – but it has potential.
Chalk paint is your new best friend. In the past, painting furniture meant hours of sanding off varnish and then applying coat after coat of special primers. Chalk paint is incredibly easy to use and requires little to no preparation – you basically just paint over what’s already there.
Start by cleaning your furniture with a soft cloth, or soap and water if it’s very dirty. Chalk paint is good, but you still need a clean surface. Apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions – which usually means one or two coats of paint, followed by a layer of soft wax to seal it at the end.
There are lots of different finishes to try – including distressed looks – but the most contemporary way to try chalk paint is a dip-dye effect. Paint only the legs of a table and chairs for a striking look which appears far more expensive than it really is!
Make use of old packing crates
Wooden packing crates are incredibly versatile. They’re usually made from soft, pale wood – which has a wonderful Scandinavian vibe that looks at home in any interior. Try stacking them up to make a simple and informal storage area in your living room. Or turn an upturned box into a makeshift coffee table. To make a perfect toy box for a child’s bedroom, add wheel-along casters – making sure you sand down any rough edges first.
We think the simple wooden finish of fruit or wine crates look amazing as they are, but you can add a coat of chalk paint for a different look!
Use a wooden palette to create your own bespoke furniture
Had something delivered on a big palette? Put it to use by cutting it down and turning it into something new. With a little hard work you can have something which looks amazing and far greater than the sum of its parts.
We’ve seen some amazing ideas for turning palettes into beds, coffee tables and even ourdoor herb planters. Our favourite has to be this amazing set of desk shelves – perfect for a home office, kitchen or teenager’s room.
Search online for video tutorials and prepare to get creative!
Perk up your plant pots
For an easy upcycling project, spruce up your old plant pots. Search your garden, or the local charity shop, for old planters – then give them a makeover. The best paint to choose is acrylic as it won’t soak into the porous material of ceramic pots. If you want to keep your pots outside then it’s sensible to use a coat of varnish too.
Paint your pots white for a chic, contemporary look and add fun black accents if you’re feeling really creative!
115 comments
Dr Odunga has changed my life. I never believed I would be cured by a spell caster who specializes in herbal cure and magical spells. I am talking about the help Doctor Odunga gave to me. I have been cured of herpes (HSV) which has plagued me for over 2 years. I am very happy to tell others that if you want to be cured or get your ex back spells and get pregnant naturally, even financial blessing through lottery, there is only one place to be and that is with Dr Odunga Spell Temple. Am so happy that just 3 days after taking DR ODUNGA Herbal treatments my herpes was cured permanently. DR ODUNGA also have cure to #HIV #Diabetes #Lupus #Tinnitus #Fibroid #Cancer #Hepatitis B, #Syphilis #Infertility etc … If you have this ailment or whatsoever you might be suffering from you should contact him at his EMAIL: odungaspelltemple@gmail.com OR VIA Whats App +2348167159012
Am testifying of the miraculous work of a great herbalist doctor called Dr Moses Buba I have been suffering from herpes outbreak since last 2 years with my Husband but today I am happy that am cured from it with the herbal medicine made by Dr Moses Buba the great healer, I was browsing the Internet searching for help when I came across a testimony shared by someone on how Dr Moses Buba cured her from Herpes Disease. I quickly contacted him to get the cure and today I am now free from the Virus, Email him now for help. buba.herbalmiraclemedicine@gmail.com , you can also visit his Facebook website https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559577240930
How GrayHat Hacks Helped Me Confront Infidelity
When trust started to crumble, it was a lonely and terrifying place. My wife and I had been together for years, but recently, her actions made me suspect she was seeing someone else. I needed to know for sure, so after some research, I found GrayHat Hacks, a company offering digital investigation services. Their contractor was immediately responsive and understanding, explaining they could help by remotely accessing my wife’s Android phone to retrieve any evidence of cheating.
She had an Android phone, and he mentioned exploiting vulnerabilities in the system to gain access without her knowledge, ensuring discretion. I provided her phone number and waited, nerves on edge. Hours later, he called back—they had accessed her phone and retrieved the data, sending me a secure link to view messages, photos, and call logs. What I found confirmed my worst fears: explicit texts, photos with another man, and records of secret meetings. It was devastating, but necessary for my peace of mind.
Throughout, GrayHat Hacks was supportive and compassionate, checking in to ensure I was okay and offering further assistance. I know hiring someone to hack her phone might not be ethical, but in my situation, it was crucial. Their expertise and discretion are unmatched, helping me confront the painful truth and make decisions about my future. If you’re facing similar suspicions, I highly recommend GrayHat Hacks for their professional service.
You can reach out to them via email at grayhathacks@contractor.net or WhatsApp +1 (843) 368-3015.
Website https://grayhathacksblog.wixsite.com/grayhathacks
Suspecting a partner of cheating can be very painful. My feelings of suspicion grew stronger each day as my ex husband begun acting very secrective while around me. To find the truth, I decided to hire GrayHat Hacks Contractor after doing intensive research online. They used advanced spyware techniques, including phishing, to access Greg´s phone without physical contact. This allowed monitoring of messages, calls, emails, and even GPS. Within hours, I discovered that he had a separate life with another family. Although shocked and betrayed, I felt grateful for the closure. For anyone in a similar situation you can reach out to them via email at grayhathacks@contractor.net or WhatsApp at +1 (843) 368-3015.
I was really stressed by Erectile dysfunction issues and had consulted Dr Moses Buba. He gave us a thorough consultation and the medicines were equally effective. In a couple of weeks there was big improvement in me and we are very pleased with the progress. We cannot thank Dr Moses Buba enough. Highly recommended. Email buba.herbalmiraclemedicine@gmail.com WhatsApp +2349060529305. you can also reach on his Facebook page ; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559577240930 / website page https://bubaherbalmiraclem.wixsite.com/website
Leave a comment