Why Upcycling Should Be on Your To-Do List This Summer
The revitalised interest in home redecorating brought about by the pandemic continues, with a particular interest in taking on DIY projects in ways which minimise environmental impact. Upcycling remains firmly on the UK’s renovation agenda, with Google Trends revealing a 277% increase in online interest around “furniture upcycling near me” in the UK between February 2022 and June 2022. Unsurprisingly, #Upcycling is currently receiving a staggering 8.6 billion views on TikTok with users keen to showcase their striking creations on the platform from enhanced clothing to furniture transformations.
Four in ten Brits are turning to upcycling as part of their efforts to reduce wastage and protect the planet and 39% are already upcycling more with furniture being the project of choice. In terms of upcycling trends, “furniture flipping” is currently taking the social media world by storm, as TikTok reveals a clear focus on repurposing old furniture with #UpcycledFurniture receiving 75.4 million views.
With the upcycled furniture trend very much on the rise, we have investigated just how beneficial repurposing furniture can be for both the planet and your bank account and provided some unique upcycling ideas for your home!
The Unique Benefits of Upcycling
1. Saving Materials From Landfill
Of the 26m tonnes of waste produced in the UK, 12m tonnes are recycled whilst a staggering 14m tonnes are sadly sent to landfill sites. When we choose to upcycle furniture, we’re actively choosing to reduce waste in landfills, oceans, parks and waste management facilities which in turn protects the environment in several ways including reducing soil, water and air pollution.
As many materials begin to break down and release harmful chemicals in the process, the risk of soil pollution and water pollution increases greatly when materials are sent to landfill. The UN Environment Programme states that one-third of all plastic waste ends up in soils or freshwater which can also lead to air pollution, and some of these microplastics even enter the food chain. Many of the quality materials lost to landfills still have a lot of life left in them and could be salvaged with one simple upcycling project.
2. Saving on Cost of New Furniture
The total annual expenditure for furniture and furnishings in the UK has risen significantly in the past decade, from over 17 billion in 2011 to over 24.5 billion in 2021. The figure has also increased from 24.13 billion in 2020, demonstrating a growing demand for furniture in the home.
Additionally, higher furniture prices are contributing to higher living costs in the UK with inflation running at the highest level in three decades (7%) and furniture prices up 17%. Naturally, upcycling old furniture is a great option when it comes to cost-saving and taking pressure off the ongoing cost of living crisis. Not only can you enjoy the satisfaction of creating a piece of furniture that is uniquely yours and feel the sense of fulfilment that comes with doing your part for the environment, but you can also worry less about where your money is going during this uncertain time.
3. Conserving Global Resources
Shockingly, it takes 2,700 litres of water to produce a single t-shirt. It’s no secret that climate change presents a threat to life as we know it, including our global ecosystems. With global demand for food and water expected to double in the next 30 years, conserving global resources where possible is more crucial than ever.
Upcycling existing resources such as furniture and homeware removes the need to exploit any new raw materials for production purposes and supports the global mission to protect the planet for future generations. This is why upcycling furniture and accessories for the home provides a true sense of achievement and reward.
4. Creation of One-Of-A-Kind Items
We’ve all been there. Scrolling through the interior design content of Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok thinking: how can I create something that’s unique to me? Well, if you’re looking for something entirely original to truly put your own stamp on your home, upcycling is the perfect way to go.
When it comes to upcycling, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’d like an ombre pastel chest of drawers, are looking to reupholster your old armchair with vibrant new fabric or turn your old shutters into a quirky magazine rack, with a bit of creative thinking and skill, there is no limit to what you can create.
5. Upskilling
Another phenomenal benefit of taking on an upcycling project is of course the opportunity to hone your skills and make something incredible. The pandemic encouraged many to update their homes and learn new skills, with two-thirds of adults in a recent survey admitting to fixing, customizing and repurposing old household items due to lockdown affording them the time to invest in their projects. Additionally, business owner Steph Briggs of La Di Da interiors noticed a surge in interest in her upcycling business and workshops since the pandemic, indicating widespread demand to upskill when it comes to upcycling.
Whether through expert-led tutorials or short, snappy TikTok videos, the opportunity to gain valuable DIY skills is easily accessible for those interested in upcycling old furniture. From repair skills such as glueing, nailing or sewing to cleaning and restoring fabrics to replacing accessories and painting with a beautifully even finish, there is an endless list of skills to be gained by embarking on upcycling projects.
5 Upcycling Ideas
1. Make Colour Updates
One of the best and most affordable ways to breathe new life into old furniture is to give your new chair, unit or bookshelf a fresh coat of paint. You can be as creative as you like and opt for vibrant hues that instantly create a striking focal point or keep the tone muted and sophisticated.
When it comes to the painting, however, it is crucial to follow best practice to ensure a smooth and even finish, starting with thorough preparation and ending with a flawless top coat. Our easy-to-follow guide on How to Paint Furniture includes all the top tips required to secure your painting skills and succeed in creating something extra-special.
If you’d like to take your creation that one step further and achieve the highly-coveted ‘lived-in’ look, use our Ultimate Fine Sandpaper to distress sections of your paintwork once completed and fully dry and give your furniture an authentic, rustic feel.
2. Try Stencilling/Free Hand Design
Adding unique details to your furniture is the best way to create a one-of-a-kind piece. Think floral patterns or geometric designs that instantly inject some personality and intricacy into your furniture. Whether you prefer to use a stencil or feel confident in attempting delicate free-hand design, adding eye-catching elements to your design is a great way to hone your painting skills and create a piece that reflects your individual style.
Remember to always use a fine brush and not to overload your brush with paint to ensure clean, precise movements. Our Seriously Good Artist paint brushes are perfect for painting detailed patterns on furniture with maximum control and accuracy.
3. Change Handles
If you’re looking to upgrade a chest of drawers, wardrobe, internal door or cabinet, then an ideal way to achieve a transformation on a budget is to replace the handles.
With a range of hardware available in DIY shops such as B&Q or handmade handles from online stores such as Etsy, you’re sure to find a stunning option that offers that ‘brand new’ feel and adheres to your desired aesthetic.
Providing the ultimate optical illusion, simply replacing old hardware makes it look like you have a whole new piece of furniture with minimal effort involved.
4. Reupholster Chairs
For those that are more DIY savvy or keen to master one of the more complex aspects of upcycling, reupholstering old chairs can have a transformative effect and add a touch of class to the room. No matter what your taste may be, you can create an incredible vintage-style or ultra-modern look for your chair with some upholstering fabric (recycled if possible), a flat-head screwdriver and pliers to remove old fabric and scissors, a staple gun and sewing machine to cut, sew and apply the new fabric.
5. Repurpose Unused Items
Part of the beauty of upcycling is seeing the potential in unused items and giving them a brand-new purpose. From turning old ladders into a contemporary clothing rack with nifty paintwork and some DIY genius to turning an old picture frame into a jewellery holder by screwing in some hooks, there is always something that can be done with a pre-loved household item.
If you’re looking for some upcycling inspiration for unused items, our step-by-step tutorial reveals the secrets to transforming old wooden palettes into stylish garden chairs and tables with minimal effort and creating an enviable look for your outdoor area.
For more useful tips, explore our Tip Exchange today.
