10 Nifty Upcycling Projects for the Home

The decision to throw away your pre-loved stuff is a difficult one – especially for those of us with a habit for hoarding. When something loses its shine or comes to the end of its lifecycle, the temptation is to get rid and start again. But thanks to the miraculous upcycling movement, our tired doodads and whatchamacallits are finding new life with a little elbow grease and a healthy sense of creativity. If you’re ready to reduce, reuse and reincarnate, it’s time to try these cool upcycling projects for your home.

Cool Home Upcycling Project Ideas

Creative ideas give old items new life. An upcycle project is great way to take things out of your recycling bin and make them into cool things with a second life. Upcycling is a creative and sustainable way to repurpose old or unused items into something new and useful. Here are some upcycling project ideas that you can try.

Upcycling Wine Bottles

Your old empties are the sort of throwaways you’d be forgiven for classifying as waste. They’ve served their singular purpose and, in their original state, are no longer of any apparent value to anyone. But the beauty of upcycling is finding new potential in the most seemingly useless things – and empty bottles are just one of the many ways to upcycle your home to full effect.

Ever dreamed of drinking straight from the wine bottle without condemnation? Upcycling makes this dream a reality. Old wine bottles can be transformed into nice, sturdy tumblers. Then the wine bottle tops can be used over your candles as in the photo above. And giving your empty beer bottles a makeover creates a set of delightfully odd bud vases reinvented and ready to use.

Upcycling Cutlery

Falling out of love with your old cutlery can be an emotional time – especially since, at first sight, forks and spoons have little to offer outside the kitchen. But upcycling offers the chance to explore objects in new and exciting ways – so the question is, can we salvage the spoons? You bet.

Taking your knives and forks to the garden might sound like nonsense, but with some clever engraving, you can convert your cutlery into rustic garden markers – adding a touch of homemade loveliness to your potted plants. Or better yet, get inventive and try out a spectacularly odd spoon chandelier guaranteed to bring a healthy sense of quirk to any home.

Upcycling Boxes

There’s no doubt old boxes are versatile – offering infinite storage solutions for any number of household objects. But if you’ve got more boxes than you’ve got stuff, these once-useful boxes can quickly become a burden rather than a blessing. But by thinking outside of the packing box, you can upcycle your way to ornamental bliss.

Stylish storage bins can be costly to buy new – especially when your old packing boxes are perfectly capable of doing the job. With a bit of an aesthetic overhaul, you can breathe new life into old boxes and use your upcycled boxes as functional focal points. And don’t forget to reuse shoe boxes – they make gorgeous wall-mounted shelves if you’re prepared to lovely them up. In the photo I above I used shoes boxes covered in wrapping paper to make bins for my cloth diapers.

Upcycling Jars

Jars are a staple of the upcycling world, offering boundless potential in the way of functionality and fashion. Usable as a variety of handy containers or as striking ornaments, mason jars in particular are one of the most recyclable objects on Earth – and you better believe their potential extends far beyond holding jam. You can upcycle mason jars into diy soap dispensers or diy vases and more.

For every room of the house, there’s a way that pre-loved jars can make it better. Looking to magic up your mantelpiece? Snowglobe. Fancy mastering mixology? Cocktail shaker. Need to pot a plant? Terrarium. Want to let in the light? Candle holder. The sky’s the limit.

Upcycling Books

Avid readers are no stranger to a little light book hoarding – which is more than understandable considering the nostalgia and sentimentality of a once-loved piece of literature. There’s an irresistible temptation to cling on to books we’ve read into infirmity – and thanks to inventive upcyclers across the globe, we no longer have to choose between re-reading and getting rid.

Fashionistas rejoice – your old books might’ve been over-read but they can still turn heads. A little crafting competence and some imagination can transform an old book into a secret hiding place. And if you were thinking more home decor, the options are virtually endless. Why not try repurposing a classic novel as a nifty succulent planter, or recycle its pages for a striking wall feature?

5 More Project Restyle Upcycling Ideas For The Home:

Reusing old items can lead to a variety of creative and practical projects. Here are some ideas for repurposing and upcycling used things to make a new product.

Repurposed Planters

• Use old tin cans, teapots, or even old boots to create unique and eye-catching planters for your garden or indoor plants.
• Turn old wood crates into planter boxes.

Upcylced Cans

• When upcycling cans, it’s essential to clean and smooth the edges to prevent any sharp surfaces.
• You can upcycle an old tin can a make a flower vase!
• Homemade candle holders. Remove the label from cans, paint them, and place candles inside. You can also punch decorative holes in the can to create beautiful patterns when the candle is lit.
• Gather several cans, paint them in coordinating colors or patterns, and glue them together. Use the organized sections to store pens, pencils, scissors, and other office supplies.
• Use several cans to create a portable silverware caddy for picnics or outdoor gatherings. Paint or decorate each can for added flair.

Sweater Reuse Ideas

• Turn old sweaters into cozy pillow covers by sewing and repurposing the fabric.
• Combine squares or rectangles from multiple sweaters to create a patchwork blanket. Sew the pieces together for a warm and unique throw blanket.
• Stuff an old sweater with soft materials to create a comfortable and personalized dog bed.
• Turn a sweater sleeve into a cute vase sleeve.

Upcycled Furniture

• Transform old wooden pallets into a stylish coffee table or outdoor furniture.
• Give an old dresser or cabinet a new life with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware.
• Turn an old door into an entryway bench.

Reuse Wine Corks:

• Save your wine corks and glue them together to make coasters. You can arrange them in various patterns for a personalized touch.
• Make wall art.
• Make a memo board.
• Carve a simple design into the end of a cork and use it as a stamp for crafts or DIY projects.
• Attach small plastic animals or toys to corks to create floating bath toys for kids.

Conclusion

Remember to let your creativity shine and adapt these ideas to suit your personal style and the materials you have on hand. Upcycling not only reduces waste but also allows you to express your individuality through unique and handmade creations. If you want some raw materials for your upcycling project, try visiting the thrift store, an estate sale, or a few flea markets. You can find all kinds old furniture, cool glass bottles, vintage teacups, and old wooden crates to reuse in creative ways.

I hope you enjoy these upcycling projects! Happy upcycling! I would love to hear your favorite upcycling ideas- one that I mentioned or didn’t mention- in the comment area!

Related Posts:

Gardening hacks

DIY Planter Box

DIY Baby Clothes From Clever Upcycled Clothing Ideas