Want to transform your home on a small budget? Upcycling furniture may be the perfect solution for your décor dreams.

What is upcylcing?

If you’ve ever walked past the window of a fancy second-hand furniture boutique and spied a gorgeous chest of drawers painted in, say, French Grey, with mismatched antique handles and rugged edges, there’s a good chance this is an upcycled piece. In other words, a once abandoned and unbecoming item of furniture that has been sanded down and transformed into something remarkable. 

Why is upcyclying worth the hassle?

There is always the option to buy good quality furniture brand new – but let’s be honest, anything really decent will be expensive. The beauty of upcycling is that you can find a really solid piece – anyone who has ever had plywood flat-pack drawers collapse on them understands why the integrity of your furniture matters – and turn it into something unique to you for a fraction of the cost.

How do I source the raw materials?

Car boot sales, charity shops and second-hand furniture shops are good places to find pre-upcycled furniture. You can also seek sellers online or, if you’re lucky, find stuff on the street. You may not even need to search far at all, as many of our homes have languishing sideboards and coffee tables begging to be given a new lease of life. And remember, even if something is broken, it can still be useful, providing it is made from good quality material.  

Is it easy to do?

Thanks to the internet, you have a wealth of online upcycling tutorials literally at your fingertips. Not only will these tell you how to turn that old door into a headboard, but you can also get inspiration across a multitude of projects.

Sure, there is a level of effort and skill required, but even the basic ventures, for example, a straightforward sand and repaint, can yield wondrous results that will transform your space whilst also providing a sense of achievement and an utterly unique interior. 

6 upcycling ideas

From a desk into two bedside units
Find a desk with two sets of drawers on either side and simply saw away the middle section to create two pieces, adding extra legs where necessary. 

From a sideboard into a television unit
Remove any doors to create an open shelving space for your games consoles and TV boxes, and drill holes in the back for the wires to go through. 

From an old dresser into a bathroom vanity
You need to find a dresser that is the right height for your basin so you can cut a hole in it so that the basin fits. But once correctly fitted and sealed – water-resistant paint is a must – you will add a stunning addition to your bathroom that also offers storage space for extra soap and towels. 

From an armoire into a pantry
If you’ve always dreamt of a pantry but don’t have the space, you will love this upcycling project. Install shelves if the armoire was designed