We’ve all been there, looking around for one mirror and then returning with furniture and decor pieces that convince us they will transform our spaces. The thrill of shopping brings us all immense pleasure and also some – guilt. But what if there is a win-win situation? What if you got a new piece of home decor that didn’t break the bank nor come with the guilt tag?
According to a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency, as of 2018, around 12 million tons of furniture and furnishings waste was generated. And from that, close to 9 million make it to the landfill. From the waste gathered at the landfill, old wooden furniture constituted the largest portion of the waste material generated in that category.
We can do our bit to combat this crisis in a practical, beautiful, and rewarding way. Upcycling furniture & decor pieces is an economical and sustainable way to reduce waste and conserve resources. It is also a creative and unique way to add character and personal style to your home decor.
In simpler terms, upcycling, also called repurposing, is a way to take a piece that has seen better days and make it feel personal and unique. Whether you are upcycling an old bookcase or a nightstand, it is one of the most satisfying and fun ways to make a cherished piece of decor. We have put together four ways you can effortlessly incorporate upcycled pieces into your home decor.
1. Old Cabinet to Bar Counter
Do you have an old cabinet gathering dust and shutters falling off the hinge? After removing odors from the wooden cabinet, give it good dust and look at the umpteen ways it can serve your home in a new way. Before you cast it away to eternal doom, why not repurpose it into something more valuable and funky as a bar counter?
Take off the shutter and give it a fresh coat of paint. You can add some fun glasses and your favorite bottles, and you have a bar counter — with no buying and no guilt! Your new attraction will be an excellent way to add a quirky yet creative touch to your decor and make for an excellent conversation topic at your next party.
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2. Chest of Drawers to Nightstand
If you have an old chest of drawers that has served you well and now no longer can hold it all together, it’s time you use it to bring you joy in another form. After discarding the drawers, the wood can be resized and used to stand by your bedside and hold your book, glasses, and trinkets. This is a great way to add storage to your room without taking up too much space.
3. Powder Coating Metal Furniture
Do you have a rusty pool chair or barstool and don’t know what to do with it? Consider jazzing it up by powder coating it and making it look brand new. This is a great way to upcycle old metal furniture, especially steel ones. It is a durable finish that will give your piece a new lease of life. Before you paint it in your preferred color and add textures, you’ll have to sandblast the surface to remove the old paint and rust before powder-coating it.
4. Convert Dresser into Diaper Changing Table
A diaper changing station is a must-have in your baby’s room. Save your dollars by repurposing an old dresser into a diaper-changing station for your new bundle of joy. Some diaper tables have a small lip around the top edge to keep the changing sheet from sliding off. You can add one to the dresser top by making a short-sided box and fixing it to the top.
Also Read: 8 IKEA Alex Drawer Alternative: The Perfect Solution for Small Spaces 2023
Winding up
It is easy to see why upcycling is one of the hottest trends in home decor. Upcycled pieces are unique and eco-friendly, and you can include a few of the ways mentioned in the post and add character to your rooms. You can use your creativity and resources to transform unwanted pieces into beautiful and valuable pieces that will enhance the look of your home.