An Introduction to Upcycling
One person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Never has that statement been truer than when applied to upcycling. From farmhouse décor to boho stylings to contemporary chic, upcycling is not only a decorating trend, it’s a whole new way to look at and think about “old” and “new.”
What is upcycling? Good question. Not to be confused with recycling, upcycling is finding creative uses and alternative purposes for old or used items or giving an old piece of furniture new life. It’s turning an old, beat up credenza from a mechanic’s office into a classy looking coffee bar in a women’s coworking space. (True story.) There are many ways to upcycle and a whole community of people who will blow your minds with their repurposing ideas. Seriously, check it out.
Whether you are a seasoned upcycler or a newbie, peruse the info below to learn more.
What is Upcycling?
Upcycling is not only a fun creative outlet, it’s good for you and the planet by keeping items like furniture from local dumps and landfills. Beyond furniture, upcycling extends to a range of goods and materials, such as empty plastic and glass bottles, cardboard boxes and egg cartons. Finding creative uses for these things reduces both the waste caused by simply throwing them away and the energy input required to fashion new goods.
Beyond doing some good for the planet and your pocketbook, upcycling is a great mental project. Upcycling requires you to think differently: to see beyond what a thing is and imagine what it could be. When you start upcycling, you adopt a new way to look at household items and pieces of furniture you may take for granted. You start to see potential and fresh ideas in all things. It’s a pretty cool way not only to decorate your home or spend a weekend, but to look at the world.
If this sounds appealing, you’re probably ready to take on a new – or maybe your first – furniture upcycling / creative reuse project. Read on for ideas, resources, and to learn more about the different phases of upcycling furniture.
Upcycling Phase 1: Find your Inspo
Sadly, most projects do not spring from our brains like Athena from Zeus’ forehead. Most of us need some inspiration to help get the creative juices flowing and give us some ideas of what is possible. So if you are not a Greek god but a mere mortal, check out some of these sources for creative ideas to get your upcycle on.
Social media. Ok, yes, Pinterest, but these days you can find so much on other social media platforms, often with mini-tutorials or a step-by-step video. Check out and follow Instagram accounts like the.painted.unicorn and percy_and_albert for a range of ideas. There are also Facebook groups dedicated to upcycling; a search for upcycle will yield a few and these are great places not only to find inspiration, but to ask questions and learn a few new tricks. Subscribe to YouTube channels like “That Upcycled Life” and “I Restore Stuff.” It’s like watching makeover montages but for furniture!
Websites. Endless online browsing has its uses, and thanks to many a late night waiting for my kids to fall asleep, I’ve tracked down a few key sites for upcycling ideas and inspo. One of my favorites is Upcycle That. You can search by material – think bottle caps, wood, or wax – or by project type, like furniture.
Television shows. You know HGTV is all over this upcycling thing. Shows like Flea Market Flip and West End Salvage are fun to watch and provide plenty of upcycling ideas. You may not be at the level of turning an upright piano into a bar cart, or a bar cart into a portable music station complete with a record player and speakers, but you can often incorporate something new you’ve learned into your own projects.
Upcycling Phase 2: Know Where to Look
Where do you find your “something old” for your creative reuse project? Really, the world’s your oyster when it comes to this phase of upcycling. Garage sales, thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets are all great places to look. Search online for flea markets near you. I guarantee you’ll discover some you probably didn’t know about.
Keep your eyes open. There are taken-for-granted pieces of furniture everywhere. You’ll be surprised by what you find and where you find it. Many times people are happy to hand over things they don’t view as special and are often pleased and intrigued by your interest in and ideas for an old piece. Just be sure to send a photo and a thank you note upon project completion!
Upcycling Phase 3: Assessing a Piece
Take a moment to critically assess a piece before you buy it or haul it away. Doing so can save you a lot of time and effort. Scroll down for a few questions to mull over as you consider any potential piece for creative reuse.
Can I transport it? Sure, you might be excited about that enormous Davenport, but if it will require a U-Haul and a team of muscled individuals to move it, maybe it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
Do I have room for it? Ok, you got it home but now that you look around your living space, you realize there is simply no room for this new piece of furniture. Making space may require getting rid of an existing item in your home, or putting something in storage. You also need to think about the space required to do the upcycling project you had in mind for this hulking item.
Are my skills—and tools—a match for this project? Go for stretch goals and challenging projects to learn new things. But also understand your limitations. What’s yours? Power tools, carpentry, etc? Think about what you find enjoyable and what may start to feel like a chore. Take all of it into consideration as you assess what a particular piece may need to fulfill your vision.
Does it tell or story or mean something to me? A yes to this question can easily trump your answers to the previous questions and has done so for me many times. If a piece means something to you or you can’t resist its unique story, it is worth the investment.
Upcycling Phase 4: Repair
You took the plunge and you are now the proud owner of a piece of furniture about to be upcycled. Chances are, the piece you are dealing with needs a bit of repair. Or at least some TLC. Sandpaper, wood glue, caulking putty for filling in holes, and finishing nails are your new best friends in this upcycle phase. Carefully inspect the piece of furniture and see what ails it. Before you worry about making a piece pretty, take this time to make sure you have addressed any structural issues like uneven legs, wobbly shelves or broken hinges. It may take a few trips to the hardware store but this phase is a good investment. If you need to make significant changes to the piece to accommodate its new use, this is the time for that, too.
Upcycling Phase 5: Flair
Now the fun part. You’ve repaired any damage and are ready to give your piece some character. Here are a few ideas for adding some flair to your upcycled piece:
Chalk paint. It’s another primary tool in the upcycler’s toolbox. Chalk paint comes in a wide variety of colors and is easy to use. It’s also easy to find tutorials on YouTube.
Hardware. From door knobs to drawer pulls, there are so many unique and interesting hardware pieces available these days. This is one area I think is splurge-worthy and those little details can really bring a piece to light. Big chains like Home Depot carry a range of hardware options. Check out Etsy and Anthropologie, too. You’ll be surprised and delighted by what you find.
Stencils. This upcycling trend is really big right now and it’s easy to see why. Use stencils to give a piece of furniture a whole new look. For this approach, blue painter’s tape is a must have, so be sure to pick some up for this or any furniture painting project.
No matter your approach, you are guaranteed to find fun, and a challenge, with upcycling furniture. Everything old is new again! A fun and often rewarding perspective.
