Reusing old furniture to make decorative elements or new, usable furniture can be a great way to practice sustainability. It provides one the opportunity to tap into their creative side and spend quality time on fun DIY projects. Moreover, repurposing old furniture not only reduces waste but also creates unique, personalized pieces that add style and personality to one’s home. Following simple ideas can help one understand upcycling, allowing one to explore more complex projects.
Paint the furniture
One of the simplest ideas for upcycling old furniture is giving it a fresh coat of paint for a refreshed look. A simple coat of new paint can effectively cover up the stains and signs of wear, revitalizing the furniture and making it look shiny again. Plus, painting allows one an opportunity to create a completely new look for the home. To make the furniture stand out, one can even consider using bold colors or combinations of multiple shades and tones. This simple method of transforming old furniture not only transforms the furniture but also refreshes the overall look of the room.
Over the plain coat of paint, one can also consider painting patterns using a stencil. Choose the stencil pattern based on one’s preferences or room aesthetics and turn the repurposing process into a fun DIY project.
Refinish the wooden pieces
A budget-friendly way of upcycling old furniture is to simply give it a new finish. For this idea, one does not even have to spend on paint; instead, all one needs are a few pieces of sandpaper to remove the stains from the old furniture. Additionally, one can purchase a set of wood markers, which typically costs around $5, to conceal the scratches on the old furniture pieces. For just a few dollars more, one can also get wood polish, which can help restore the shine to the old furniture pieces.
Make the best of the rustic look
Sometimes, refurbishing vintage furniture often involves enhancing its rustic appeal rather than giving it a complete makeover. In recent years, the vintage rustic aesthetic has gained quite a lot of popularity among old and new homeowners. That being said, it is also not advisable to leave the old furniture in a heavily worn-out state, as this can make it appear dingy. Instead, one can consider making subtle adjustments that maintain its rustic charm. For instance, simply reupholstering old chairs with new, vibrant fabric can refresh their look while retaining their vintage charm. Also, if a furniture piece shows uneven signs of wear, consider sanding it down completely to create a more uniformly antique appearance.
Upcycle old ladder
If one has an old, unused wooden ladder lying in the garage, one can do a lot better than just keeping it away and collecting dust. The steps on the ladder can be perfectly used as shelves, given that one has a ladder with wide steps. Even if one doesn’t, replacing the narrow steps with wide wooden boards (which can also be obtained from old, disposable furniture) can be a fun DIY furniture repurposing project. Only make sure to coat the ladder with a layer of paint or polish before reusing it. Once done, the ladder is ready to be used as a shelf for books, plant holders, or any wall decor.
Make repurposed coffee table-tops
Those who have recently gotten their old doors replaced with new ones also have a great opportunity to create DIY sustainable furniture. An old door, given its simple shape and durability, can make a perfect table top. So, with a little cutting and resizing, one can transform their old door into a new tabletop for their coffee or dining table. For even more sustainable practice, one can make a whole new coffee table from an old door by using the cut-off pieces to make its legs. Slight polishing and painting might be necessary, depending on the condition of the door.
Design a rustic bathroom vanity
Old wooden dressers may look boring and traditional in a contemporary bedroom. But it is this archaic look of theirs that can help one transform the aesthetics of their bathroom. Even though it may not always seem obvious, a bathroom can look quite good with vintage furniture. Reusing an old dresser as a bathroom vanity unit or under-sink cabinet can instantly amp up the space with a rustic charm. Based on the shape and position of the sink, one may need to make a few adjustments by cutting holes or removing a drawer to fit the plumbing. Also, do not forget to add a coat of polish to prevent the wood from incurring water damage.
Repurpose cribs
As children grow up, cribs often become unused items unless they are repurposed. Fortunately, there are several creative ways to recycle or repurpose cribs and give them a new look or purpose. One such idea is to transform cribs into toy boxes for the kids. For this, all one needs to do is add a lid on the top of the body, allowing the kids to open and close it with ease. Another option is to create a kids’ work desk by simply removing one of the walls and sanding down the sharp edges to smoothen them out.