If you're looking for ways to save a little bit of money and live more sustainably, you'll want to keep reading about items you can upcycle. Upcycling allows you to tap into your creative side to solve a problem or simply add some charm to your space using items you already have. It's also a great way to avoid overconsumption — after all, you don't need to head to the big-box store for a new vase if you can make one from an empty wine bottle or glass jar you already have.
If you recently renovated your home or spruced up your yard, you may have things like old doors or fence slats piled up. Instead of sending these items to the dump, consider turning them into shelves, picture frames, or even a table. If you've got basic carpentry skills, the world is your oyster. Even if you don't have carpentry skills, there are plenty of beginner-friendly woodworking projects you can find tutorials for online.
Todd Tripp, a Home Improvement Expert and General Contractor with JustAnswer, filled us on clever ways to upcycle your old items and give them a second life. If you're looking for even more inspiration, read up on how to upcycle old linens and how to repurpose your old jeans into something new.
10 things you can upcycle
Clothing
Clothing and textiles are often among the first items donated to a thrift store, but you can also hang on to a few items to create a unique look in your home. “Gather a few different textiles to sew together a custom throw blanket or vibrant window drapes,” says Tripp. You could also transform vintage scarves or patterned scraps into decorative pillow covers to give your living space an instant pop of personality.
Furniture drawers
Kids can be pretty rough on their bedroom furniture. When it's time to replace dressers, Tripp says you can keep a few of the drawers. “You can mount a single wooden drawer to the wall as a shadow-box shelf or connect several with a wooden pole for a tiered plant display,” he advises. Alternatively, consider adding casters to the bottom of a deep drawer to create a rolling under-bed storage bin for toys or extra linens.
Old tires
If you have a few old tires lying around your garage, Tripp says you can turn them into a raised bed for plants in your backyard. “Lay a tire flat and fill it with soil to create a unique, durable garden planter,” he says. For a more polished look, you can wrap the exterior in rope.
Wood windows
Tripp says another easy afternoon project is turning old window frames “into multi-pane picture frames or wall art by attaching photos or painting the glass.” You could also replace the glass panes with chicken wire or corkboard to create a functional and farmhouse-chic message center for your kitchen or entryway.
Glass jars
This next tip can easily brighten up a kitchen shelf or table. Tripp says you can “repurpose extra jars into emergency kerosene lanterns or small herb pots for the windowsill.” Glass jars can also be used as vases for centerpieces or storage for dry goods like pasta.
Old doors
If you’ve recently done a renovation and you’re not sure what to do with your old doors, Tripp says not to be so quick to leave them on the curb. “Old doors can be cut to size to create heavy-duty floating shelves or a sturdy workbench top,” he says. With the help of a professional, you can attach four legs and a glass overlay to turn a solid-wood door into a one-of-a-kind dining table that serves as a conversation piece in your home.
Wine bottles
That wine bottle that you never recycled? You can still get a few uses out of it. “Use uniquely shaped wine or liquor bottles as sculptural vases for flowers or feathers on a coffee table,” Tripp says. You can also insert a string of battery-operated LED fairy lights into a clear or tinted bottle to create a custom glowing accent lamp for a bookshelf or bedside table.
Bicycle parts
If you’re going for a more industrial design, you can use bike parts to decorate. “You can use old wheels, gears, and chains as wall art or as components for a custom light fixture,” Tripp explains. Another fun project? Using bicycle wheels to create a photo display.
Plastic jugs
Need a quick storage solution? Tripp says you can look no further than your fridge. “Cut juice or water jugs in half to create organised, transparent bins for nuts, bolts and fasteners in a workshop,” he says. Or you could use plastic cartons to display flowers, turning a simple jug into a charming, farmhouse-style centrepiece.
Fence slats
To add some farmhouse charm to a room, consider upcycling any fence pieces you may have lying around. Trip says, “Weathered wood fence slats make for excellent rustic picture frames with built-in character.” With professional help, you can also hinge several full-length pickets together to create a freestanding folding screen that serves as a rustic room divider or a textured backdrop for a cosy reading nook.
