Upcycling

Apr 17 2020

As we prepare for further time in lockdown, many of us are taking up new hobbies and learning new skills to make the most of our time at home. Now could be the perfect time for an upgrade to your home-décor, but with many shops closed, this can be a challenge.  We have seen a huge rise in the trend for ‘upcycling’ over the past few years, and now is the perfect time to consider transforming old pieces of furniture.  It’s not only a great way to keep yourself and your family entertained, but can also help you give any room a new lease of life.

Interior designers ArtSpace (https://www.artspace.com/), who have designed the show home at Gallions Point, have given us their insight and expert tips on how to turn an old piece of furniture into a brand new, much-loved item.

 Prepare your space:

Prepare a clear space to complete your project, and make sure you have all the tools you will need to hand before you start.  Ensure your work area is free from dust, or anything that could end up blowing on to your drying paint and getting stuck.

Prime your items:

It’s important to properly prepare your items, before you start re-working them. Depending on the piece, this could simply be a case of cleaning it down, removing any handles, or sanding a few layers of paint off – new paint will take far better on a smooth surface. If you have any available, a primer paint also works well to give a sleek finish.

Play with effects:

Consider where you want the piece to live to help you figure out the right colour scheme, finish and accessories to fit with the décor of an existing room.  You don’t need to change the colour to successfully upcycle a piece – wallpapering, or even newspapering, the back panel of cabinets can create a great effect, and add life to practical pieces of furniture. Most units will have backs that can be removed, so take these off to make it easier to paste and roll on the paper, creating the perfect finish.

Consider re-purposing:

Upcycling can be a great way to re-purpose old items you no longer use. Think about the space you have – then get creative to suit your needs. Have you got an old drawer that could be transformed into a flower bed for Summer? Or an old ladder that could be turned into chic shelving? The possibilities are endless – and it’s a much cheaper alternative than buying new.