GoodHome Milltown Flat matt Furniture paint
If you want to improve some of the furniture around your home then the best thing you can do would be for you to upcycle. The best thing about upcycling is that it gives you the chance to upgrade the furniture you have without breaking the bank. You can get everything done for a very affordable price, and you can cover a wide range of furniture projects too. If you have never given much thought to the idea of upcycling or if you want to make sure you get the best result out of your DIY upgrades then read on to find out why it’s important and get some tips on upcycling for beginners.
Upcycling is going to be THE interior trend of the autumn, according to new research from wood paint specialists Thorndown. They have looked at what is trending on Pinterest and found that the search term ‘upcycled furniture’ has soared in September 2023, leaping from 29 index points to 100 (the highest) in just a week.
Caroline Thornborough, Design Director at Thorndown, said: “As we head into another winter, worries about the cost of living are at the fore. That, combined with a rising interest in sustainability, is driving people to get more creative and give upcycling a go.”
Sustainabilty and concerns for the environment have been driving this movement for a while now. The Great Recovery was a report compiled by RSA and SUEZ that looked at closing the loop on furniture waste.
Every year in the UK we dispose of approximately 1.6m tonnes of furniture and bulky waste. This includes large items that do not fit into a standard dustbin or, according to some local authorities, ‘items you take with you when you move house’.
Most of this bulky waste ends up buried in landfill or burnt in an incinerator. However, 32% of bulky items are reusable in their current state, raising to 51% if you include items needing slight repair. That’s a lot of items being thrown away and destroyed that are in a usable condition and could be given a new lease of life.
Saving and re-using this furniture would not only save valuable resources, it could also create employment opportunities and provide affordable items to local communities who need them.
It takes up to 1000 times more CO2 to produce new furniture as opposed to refurbishing something that already exists, yet people are still choosing to throw away the old and buy new.
But the tide is turning and Google search terms like “furniture paint”, “upcycling ideas”, “upcycling furniture ideas”, “upcycling wooden furniture” and “furniture painting” are all seeing a spike in popularity as people decide to give upcycling a go.
But that doesn’t mean that upcycling for beginners isn’t still a little bit daunting. So let’s break it down a bit into some key tips and advice.
Preparation is Key
Bergen Furniture Stencil for Furniture, Wall and Fabric
Preparation is truly key when it comes to upcycling for beginners. Plan and make sure that you have all of the tools you need to get the job done. Give your furniture a wipe down and assess its state. Repair any parts that are broken and you may need to fill any cracks and then sand it down again before you can get to work. Make sure that you pay special attention to the work you are doing. Sometimes, you may find that the general excitement of getting the job done means you rush things which is the last thing you want and will negatively impact the end result.
Be Imaginative
When you see old pieces, try to be imaginative. Old ladders are great if you want to display items as you can make them into shelves. You may also find that machine-washing drums are ideal if you want to store some plants outside as well or create a quirky coffee table or small stool. The more creative you can be, the better result you will get overall, so make sure that you keep this in mind as it could make a major difference to the results you achieve.
Be Inspired by Vintage Furniture
DIY Art Deco-inspired sideboard from Furniture & Choice
If you see a particular piece of vintage furniture for sale then you never know, you may be able to find something very similar at a local charity shop. You can also look at car boot sales and even sites that sell second-hand items. At the end of the day, with a bit of paint and a bit of an update, you should be able to find something you love at a fraction of the price.
Match the Era
DIY Rattan Cupboard from Furniture & Choice
Make sure that you take the time to match the era of furniture with whatever style you are going for. A plain sideboard will never look good if you jazz it up too much because the design isn’t suited to it. If you want to upgrade the furniture a little without losing its personality then one thing you can do is look into replacing the cabinet handles & pulls.
Spend a Bit Extra
If you want to spend a bit extra on something then one thing you can do is spend extra on paint brushes. The paint brushes you choose will make a major difference to the overall look you end up achieving. Cheap ones will leave a lot of bristle marks and you may also find that your coverage ends up suffering too. All good paint brushes are worth their weight in gold, not to mention that they last a lot longer too. If you have a lot of furniture that you would like to upcycle then this is just one way you can benefit.
So those are our tips on upcycling for beginners. Why don’t you give it a go next time you decide you need to buy something new for your home? Remember, upcycling is not only great for the environment but is also kinder on the pocket too.