They say one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, but what if that old adage isn’t about different people, but different mindsets? Broken things can be fixed. Tired items can be refreshed. Objects that are no longer fit-for-purpose can be transformed.
Upcycling isn’t exactly a new trend, but it’s an enduring one. With a little bit of imagination, a few DIY or craft supplies, and just one enthusiastic participant, you can breathe new life into all sorts of household bits and pieces. Upcycling keeps potentially useful things out of landfill, saves you money on buying replacement items, and lets you hone your DIY skills. Who knows, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two.
Bringing your old furniture back to life
Restoring or updating old furniture is one of the most popular upcycling projects around. We’ve all got those pieces of once-beautiful furniture that have lost their lustre or found a bit of a wobble.
Refinishing an old piece is a matter of cleaning it top to bottom, sanding it back to remove original paint (be sure to sand in the same direction as the wood grain), and then applying your new finish. Whether it’s a classic stain to restore the original look, or a fanciful colour or design all your own, you can get the perfect look to match your home and your tastes.
Designing and building furniture is an artform that takes years to perfect, but there’s plenty of DIY fixes that can help a piece of furniture fulfil its purpose. A lot of common problems with furniture legs can be solved fairly simply. Hinges, handles and drawer runners can be replaced with a quick trip down to your local hardware store.
Giving shipping pallets a new job
While most of us don’t have a stack of pallets at home, they are pretty easy to come by. Pallet planters are another enduring, ingenious upcycling project. These vertical gardens are a great way to bring a bit of flora to more compact spaces as they have a small footprint while still providing plenty of planting space.
On the underside of a pallet you’ll find three supports. Lean the flat side against a wall, and these three supports will become your garden beds. You’ll need three pieces of timber as long as the pallet is wide – these will be the bottoms of your garden beds. Attach them with galvanised screws (to prevent rust), line the beds with weed mat, and then add your soil.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to use the right season plants with short root systems. For flowers, marigolds and lobelia are perfect. Salad greens and herbs will also grow well here, but make sure your pallet is made of untreated timber before using it to grow food. Position somewhere sunny to help your plants thrive.
Turn mundane objects into craft materials
There are plenty of household objects that go straight to the recycling bin once they’re clean and empty. Plastic bottles, glass jars, and cardboard toilet roll tubes – these are all things that can be utilised in craft projects the whole family can get involved in.
Literally any container can be turned into a plant pot, all you need is a little bit of paint to make it your own. Plastic bottles are great for this, as they can be easily cut into fun shapes. Old gumboots and tyres can also become quirky planters for the garden.
Glass jars are perfect for making terrariums or, when filled with string lights, make cute, rustic lanterns or night lights.
With a bit of creative flair, old toilet rolls can become bird feeders, pen holders or even finger puppets.
When it comes to upcycled crafts, you’re limited only by your imagination. Once you start thinking about how X could be turned into Y, the sky’s the limit.
For project inspiration and how-to guides, go to www.mitre10.co.nz/inspiration or speak to the team in-store.
