Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet or you’re looking for ways to upgrade your home decor on a budget, these upcycling projects are a great way to reduce, reuse, and recycle things you may otherwise toss out. What better way to save money than decorating your home using items you already have? Before you buy new, try to inspire yourself to give a second life to something you may have lying around, collecting dust!
Before you begin your upcycling journey, it’s important to determine what your style is. What pieces are most “you”? Gaining deeper insight into this can help provide you with guidance as you thrift new decor and can help give you clarity as to what you should reuse and what may be better suited for a new home. Shop your own home and determine how you can use items more strategically.
Upcycle a Forgotten Vase with Fresh Paint
If you have a shelf that’s collecting a variety of vases that you rarely use, you’re not alone! Luckily, there are a range of stylish ways to upcycle these vases so you’ll want to break them out more often. Whether your vases are an ugly, outdated color that doesn’t match the rest of your home or they’re plain white ceramic and you’re looking for a tasteful pop of color — a fresh coat of paint can work wonders.
There are several options when painting a vase. You can use spray paint or take a brush and paint by hand. Choose a color that will suit the rest of your decor and brainstorm new ways to display the vase, such as by placing fresh-cut flowers inside of it or even using a small vase to collect loose change by your entryway. The options are nearly endless, as are the color combinations. This low-risk, high-reward project is a great way to start honing your upcycling skills.
Reuse Wine Bottles as Tiki Torches
If you live in an area inundated by pesky mosquitoes, creating your own tiki torches out of that empty chardonnay bottle can be an easy weekend project. Wine bottles can add an elegant touch, as well as provide ambient lighting to your next backyard event. This project is considered beginner-friendly and if you enjoy a glass of red with dinner, you can save up a few wine bottles to ensure you have enough coverage to declare war against these annoying insects.
You’ll need your wine bottles, some candle wicks, citronella torch fuel, a coupling or connector, and some thread sealant tape. You can even use pea gravel to displace some of the liquid in the bottle, which prevents you from having to fill the entire glass with fuel. Prep your bottles by washing them and removing the label for a clean look (Goo Gone can come in clutch with this task). Add the gravel and wrap the coupling into the mouth of the bottle for a snug fit. Fill the bottle with your citronella fuel and insert the wick. Now all that’s left to do is light the candle and keep the skeeters at bay.
Use a Ladder as a Bookshelf
If you have an old ladder lying around, you can repurpose it to create a bookshelf or even a structure to hang small indoor air plants! Ladder shelves are a great option for that rustic look and can double as a lightweight storage area that draws interest more so than your typical shelving. Use an A-frame ladder to hold books, a record player, or various knick-knacks. You can lean your ladder against the wall to ensure it’s stable before you place your items on the steps.
Another idea for an unused ladder is to mount wheels to the bottom, creating a rolling library ladder. This is perfect if you already have bookshelves and it gives you a way to reach those cookbooks on the top shelf that you’re finally ready to crack open! You can find all of the required items for this project from your local hardware store or online retailer. Consider a fresh coat of paint as well as a layer of primer to ensure your project looks good for years to come.
Decorate Tin Can Planters
There are few DIY projects easier than this one! Almost every household has tin cans on hand, typically from shelf-stable food items that can come in clutch for dinner when you’re too tired to cook. Save up a month’s worth of soup and vegetable cans so you have plenty to work with. Whether spring is right around the corner or you’re in the middle of the summer months, this project is a great way to get the kids involved as well. Tin cans make the perfect planters for growing herbs and can even make unique gifts for the loved ones in your life!
For this project, you’ll want to pick up some acrylic paint, a sponge brush, and a nail and hammer to create drainage holes at the bottom of the can. Paint your tin with the color of your choice. This allows for a great deal of creativity and personalization. Match the colors to your outdoor aesthetic or let the kids run wild and paint flowers on the cans for a memorable touch. Allow the cans to dry and you can glue rope around the can at this point if you plan on hanging the planters. Fill with soil and plant your seeds and voila! Budget-friendly upcycled planters from a soup can.
Collect Wine Corks for a DIY Bulletin Board
Another great way to take advantage of the wine you enjoy with dinner is to collect the corks for this family-friendly project. Create the wine cork board of your dreams by saving up every wine cork you pop over the course of a year. If you’re not an avid drinker but still enjoy the look of this project, you can even request that your neighbors, friends, and family save their wine corks for you! This repurposes a small piece of cork that would normally be tossed and creates a truly unique piece of decor that you can use to display cards, mail, or other odds and ends.
Once you’ve amassed a sizable collection of corks, you’ll want to find a suitable frame to place the corks in. You’ll also need a glue gun, glue sticks, a sharp utility knife, and any paint you may need to create a piece that blends seamlessly with the rest of your home. Command hooks are handy for hanging the finished project. Painting the inside of your frame black can help to minimize the appearance of any gaps between the corks. From there, simply hot glue the corks down until you have a finished piece.
Revamp an Old Suitcase into a Small Table
If you happen to have an old, unused suitcase in the back of your closet — this project might be right up your alley. Instead of tossing the suitcase out or donating it to your local thrift, you can try and breathe new life into it by making a bedside table from it. Vintage suitcases are best suited towards this project, such as the ones made from wood or plastic!
Additional tools you’ll need to complete this project are a measuring tape, a power drill, table legs, hardware for mounting the legs, and optional spray paint for the legs. Head to your local hardware store to collect your supplies and then make sure you measure (twice!) before taking the drill to the suitcase. Screw each mounting plate in before installing the legs. You can use this unique table as a coffee table, a bedside table, or an entryway table where you can toss mail, your keys, and other odds and ends from your pocket at the end of the day.
Create Mosaic Art from CDs or Outdated Dinnerware
Whether you’re intrigued by a mosaic backsplash for your kitchen or you want to make a hanging mosaic piece to decorate your foyer with, old CDs can be the perfect option to beautifully capture light. The reflective qualities of CDs are a great way to light up a space and may even minimize the need for harsh artificial lighting during the day. Don’t have any CDs lying around? Old dinnerware can work as well! If you’ve upgraded your plates recently, reuse the old ones by making a beautiful mosaic from their broken pieces.
The best way to cut CDs is by using plastic cutting scissors, so grab a pair to make this project a breeze. If you’re breaking up ceramic plates, then proceed with caution and always wear protective goggles to ensure no shards fly into your eyes. Once you have the shapes you’d like to use, apply the pieces to a mosaic surface and get to work on the grouting process. Once your project is dry, you can use it as decoration. Don’t be surprised if your guests comment on how unique the piece is and ask where they can get one of their own!
Transform Old Drawers into Under-the-Bed Storage
Many people struggle with storage options, especially when it comes to keeping things under the bed tucked away, yet accessible when you need them! If you’re looking for a unique way to store those extra blankets for winter and guest linens, this under-the-bed drawer storage method may be the perfect solution! If you have a cabinet that has been taking up space in the garage for years now, you can remove the shelves and create several rolling storage organizers to use in those tight spaces.
You’ll need paint in your desired color, a sanding block, casters, a drill, wheels, and wrapping paper or fabric to line the inside of the drawer (optional). After sanding down the wood and repainting it, you can attach a furniture dolly to the underside of the drawer to make it mobile! Glue on your drawer liner if you’re using one. Simply roll your items underneath the bed and roll them back out whenever you need access! Easy peasy and you can avoid unsightly storage by painting the drawer a neutral color and adding a drawer pull! Guests will be amazed when you pull out your secret storage solution.
Give Your Mason Jars New Life!
Mason jars are popular and for good reason! Whether you use yours as a drinking glass for iced coffee or you store leftovers in them — you’ve likely amassed quite a collection of these helpful glass containers. These versatile items can be upcycled in a variety of ways, so take your pick! Transform the jars into vases by painting them or using them to display sand, seashells, or your rock collection. This is especially handy for homeowners who are drawn to beach-themed decor. You can also craft a soap dispenser from your mason jars by purchasing a soap spout attachment or by creating your own!
Upgrade your indoor garden with mason jar planters. This is perfect for locking down that farmhouse chic vibe and providing easy access to fresh herbs when you’re whipping up dinner. Another unique project with mason jars at the center is salt and pepper shakers. Use a narrow nail and a hammer to tap holes into the lid and display the jars on your spice rack. Continuing with the kitchen theme by using the jars as utensil holders or get creative and store your beauty products (toothbrushes, toiletries, cotton swabs, etc.) inside of painted jars to match your bathroom decor.
Enjoy Your Upcycling Journey and Embrace the Weekend DIY Project!
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to upcycle your old decor and household items. Thinking outside the box is strongly encouraged! The ideas listed above can serve as a blueprint or inspiration for your DIY journey to create a welcoming home that features an array of priceless personal touches. There are countless ways to recycle and repurpose items and give them a new life. Whether you’re an avid gardener in need of new planters or you have too many books to count and need a new storage method — carve out some time this weekend to get started on a new project!