Upcycling old furniture is an eco-friendly way to get creative and add a touch of personality to your home. Instead of throwing out old furniture items or buying new ones, a fresh coat of paint or some clever decoupage can transform the piece into something you’ll love using again. Plus, it’s cheaper than buying new furniture and taps into the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Before you dive into transforming, re-upholstering or repurposing furniture it’s important to assess your skill level and decide how ambitious you want the project to be. You don’t want to ruin a perfectly good piece of furniture that you use daily and it’s best to start small by upcycling furniture from car boot sales or garage sales where you can find some bargains without feeling too bad if your work goes wrong.
It’s also worth having a look at Pinterest for upcycling ideas, as it can give you inspiration and the tools to turn an ordinary piece of furniture into something extraordinary. There are plenty of tutorials that can help with painting, decoupage and staining furniture as well as some creative ways to display your treasured possessions.
When choosing the pieces of furniture you’ll be upcycling, look for solid, sturdy wood and avoid any with dark veneers or stains that may not come off easily. Alternatively, choose those that have a lot of character such as carving or ornate details, which will stand out and make your piece unique. Older items with a patina are also great as they’re often reminiscent of times gone by and can be given a new lease on life by gilding or dusting with gold leaf.
Clean the piece of furniture you’ll be upcycling thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust or grime, which will help your paint or other coatings stick to it. If the item of furniture has been painted previously, you’ll need to sand it down to prepare the surface before applying your desired coating. You should use a high grit sandpaper for this, but remember to wear a mask as it’s a good idea to protect your lungs from any harsh chemicals that may be lurking on the surface.
Before you begin working on your upcycled piece of furniture, keep all of your materials and tools together in one place to avoid wasting time searching for them. It’s also a good idea to have a tidy workspace, with labelled containers or drawers for all of your materials so that it’s easier to keep everything organised and find what you need.
Don’t forget to purchase your materials for upcycling at a local craft store or online. It’s a good idea to shop around for the best deals, as some stores sell furniture products at different price levels and some have more special offers than others. For example, AMA members can save 15% at Kudos for Wood, F2 Furnishing and Bouclair.
