Upcycling is more than just a trend. It is a creative way to create new furniture and home accessories from discarded materials and objects – for the home as well as for business. It saves money, is good for the environment and gives your premises a unique flair. Nice, isn’t it? Read on for inspiration and interesting facts about particularly suitable materials and techniques.
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Instead of throwing away old or unused items and materials, upcycling offers you the opportunity to create unique and personalized pieces of furniture – very different from mass produced items. A discarded chair becomes a stylish eye-catcher with a fresh coat of paint, an old wooden crate is transformed into a charming coffee table and seemingly useless materials are reimagined as elegant home accessories. This way, in addition to creating your own style of living, you can also save money and help to pursue a more sustainable way of life – whether you’re moving into your first apartment or simply want to give your interior a fresh look. This article shows you which materials and techniques are particularly suitable for upcycling projects.
Old wooden boards or wine crates can be transformed into interesting furniture or decorative items with relatively little effort. Whether you like modern, colourful or rustic living – wood can be varnished, painted or stained and screwed together with relatively little DIY skill. Furniture made from pallets is particularly popular. These can be converted relatively easily into sofas, beds, wall shelves or coffee tables.
Old metal objects such as grilles, pipes, cans or wire can easily be repurposed. With a little creativity, you can create unique hanging fittings, lamps, shelves or organization systems.
What are some creative ways to repurpose old glass? Glass containers such as bottles, jars or old window panes are ideal for decorative purposes. With a little colour, twine or fabric, you can transform them into vases, lanterns or hanging decorations.
Snow globes are fantastic decorative objects that you can easily make yourself. How does it work? Simply unscrew the lid of a jam jar, stick a figure such as a snowman, a Christmas tree or a frog (made from modelling clay, for example) to the inside of the lid, fill the jar with water and some glitter powder, screw on the decorated lid and decorate the jar.
Textiles can be upcycled for the home in many ways. Old T-shirts, bedsheets or curtains, for example, can be used to sew stylish cushion covers that bring colour and patterns to your living room. Patchwork blankets or wall hangings made from various leftover scraps of fabric also give the room a unique and cosy atmosphere. You can also sew bedspreads or furniture covers using discarded textiles.
Can you also use upcycling for your business? Of course! Entrepreneurs and startups in particular can use upcycling to save money (budgets can be limited, especially in the initial phase), create an appealing ambience and, above all, make a clear statement in favour of sustainability. Here are three examples:
Upcycling can be suitable for furnishing a new café or restaurant. The topic of sustainability plays an increasingly important role in the catering industry – not only in terms of what they offer, but also in terms of interiors. You can use old furniture or recycled wooden pallets as seating or wine crates as shelves to create an ambience that reflects a sustainable approach.
For a new startup with a limited budget, upcycling offers a cost-effective way to furnish an office creatively and functionally. Old desks can be refurbished, disused doors can be converted into meeting tables and metal shelves can be used as storage space. This saves money and also promotes an innovative, creative working culture.
For temporary business models such as pop-up stores or trade fair stands, upcycling is ideal for creating a distinctive, original atmosphere. At the same time, the upcycled interior reflects a commitment to sustainability that resonates with environmentally conscious customers in particular.
If you are in the process of setting up your own business, PostFinance can support you.
The advantage of DIY furniture and accessories is that you can design them to match your taste. Here are six techniques:
You can completely transform furniture with a lick of paint. After thorough preparation (sanding, cleaning), you can apply new paint with a brush or spray can. This gives old furniture a modern, minimalist look in clear, matte colours. Or a chalky paint finish gives it a shabby chic look. This style is typified by natural materials, pastel tones, visible signs of use and a touch of patina that is brushed on deliberately.
Pictures, newspaper cuttings or decorative papers are glued to the furniture or objects and sealed with varnish. This technique is suitable for a playful or vintage look using floral patterns or old maps, for example.
Old furniture can also be completely repurposed. An old table can become a bookshelf, or a chest of drawers can become a bathroom vanity. For example, old drawers can be converted into side tables (simply attach feet to the drawer) or an old ladder can become a shelf.
New fabrics and upholstery can be used for chairs and sofas. This may require sewing skills when adjusting covers. Fabrics with patterns are suitable for the boho or retro style, while neutral fabrics can give a piece of furniture a modern or classic look.
Hand lettering is the art of writing in which each letter is drawn individually and creatively by hand. It can be used to decorate furniture and decorative items in a stylish and personalized way. Start by sketching out your chosen design with a pencil. You can then carefully trace the letters using special paints, sprays or markers that are suitable for the surface in question (e.g. wood, glass or fabric). On flat surfaces, stencils can also be used. When the paint is completely dry, seal the surface with a clear varnish if necessary to protect the lettering.
Natural wood surfaces can be restored by sanding and oiling or by applying wax. Natural treatments are perfect for the Scandinavian or rustic style, where the focus is on natural materials and a warm, organic look. For example, simple wooden boards that you might find lying around in the cellar can be transformed into decorative wall shelves.
Furniture can be decorated with self-adhesive wallpaper or foils (see the sideboard in the picture below) to quickly give it a new design – especially if you want to use geometric patterns in a minimalist or retro style.
The jungle trend favours lots of plants and natural materials. Combine different recycled containers, hanging plants and DIY flower pots to transform your home into a green oasis. Succulents and small plants can be presented wonderfully in old cups, teapots or tin cans. This gives the room a natural, green look.
You can find inspiration in blogs, on Pinterest, in DIY groups on social media or in upcycling books and magazines. It often helps to keep your eyes open and look at everyday objects with a creative eye. There are many websites and videos that offer step-by-step instructions for upcycling projects. Start with simple projects and work your way up to more complex ideas to build your skills and confidence. Find a unique way to express yourself – get started and let your imagination run wild!
