In this day and age, there is a conflict between prioritizing the budget and being bougie. People tend to weigh the importance of one more than the other, leaving an emptiness in our sense of want. This is not necessarily the only way to go, however. There are plenty of conscious consumer tactics you can take on to stay in style on a budget. The essence of upcycling is a great way to practice fashionable sustainability and save a pretty penny. From making personalized modifications to transforming it into something brand new, let us discover what you can create with things around the house.
1. Reupholster Thrifts
Most of the time, people put out their old furniture to donate because of damaged upholstery. The wood and structure is still pretty sturdy, and all it needs is some tender loving care. The thrift store is home to plenty of affordable, gorgeous vintage pieces that just need to be reupholstered to be brought back to life. You can thrift fabrics with modern prints or play into the vintage feel to furnish your house in style and on budget.
2. Repurposing a Door into a Headboard
Reusing perfectly fine wood is a great way to add unique touches to your home frugally. A door is the perfect material you can turn into a headboard. All you need to do is cut the door to the width you desire. After which, you may sand, paint, or stain it and mount it horizontally behind your bed using heavy-duty wall anchors for support. You can add your touches by adding trim or tufted upholstery for an extra luxe look.
3. Upgrade with Contact Paper
There is plenty of beautifully designed contact paper you can apply to furniture surfaces to liven it up. If your perfectly functional old furniture has scratches or surface imperfections and you don’t want to waste money on a new one, applying contact paper is easier than sanding and painting it. Apply it with a squeegee to ensure no bubbles and clean the surfaces thoroughly for smoother application.
4. Turn a Cabinet into a Bar Cart
A bar cart made from an old cabinet is a classy addition to your den. Perfect for those who like to enjoy the occasional drink in style without having to buy an overpriced one at the store. Sand and paint the cabinet to match your aesthetic and add mirrors to the back panel for a touch of glam. Adding caster wheels to the bottom for mobility, a towel bar, or a wine glass holder will complete the project.
5. Convert a Ladder into a Towel Rack
Most of these functionally stylish bathroom additions cost quite much so try using an old ladder you have lying around. Style your bathroom with a ladder converted into a towel rack to display your pretty towels. Sand and finish a wooden ladder and lean it against the bathroom wall or securely mount it.
6. Faux Stone Table
These days, contemporary stone accents are very popular. Pure stone furniture is expensive and unnecessarily complicated to rearrange and so using spray paint for the faux stone look is a good alternative. Apply faux-stone spray paint in multiple thin coats to your choice of furniture to mimic granite, travertine, or limestone.
7. Faux-Patina
A touch of patina adds a rustic and vintage aesthetic to any space. It can be applied to any piece of furniture, and all you need is a patina paint kit and a sponge or brush. Most patina-designed furniture is pricey despite its sort of rundown look, so using patina paint is a way to cheat this.
8. From Crib to Bench
Has your baby grown out of the crib you paid a fortune for? Don´t throw it away; turn it into a bench that everyone can enjoy. Use the crib sides for the armrests and back and attach the base using crib slats. You can add a wooden seat and foam cushion to make it comfortable for the living room, hallway, or patio.
9. Mirror-Front Drawers
If you love the Hollywood Glam aesthetic, adding mirrors to the front of drawers is a thrifty way to achieve that. Measure and cut mirrors to the drawer cover size and adhere it using strong glue. You can add elegant knobs or pulls for the luxurious hotel-vibe.
10. File Cabinet Nightstand
A file cabinet has enough drawers to make a nightstand with enough storage. You will need a metal file cabinet, spray paint, and a wood top. Use adhesive to clean and spray-paint the cabinet and add a stained wood plank to the top. You can switch the handles for brass or leather pulls to add industrial or vintage-modern touches.
11. Antique Frame Wall Art
Old frames are beautiful vintage pieces that just collect dust on the side. You can repurpose it into modern styles by refinishing the frame with gold leaf, chalk paint, or patina. You may put artwork or photographs or add velvet or linen backing to give it a luxurious texture and turn it into jewelry display.
12. Adding Brass Feet and Handles
Sometimes, all old furniture needs is a bit of sprucing up of the hardware. Swap out the old hardware for polished or brushed brass to give it a refined upgrade. This is a thrifty way to add subtle details to furniture so it matches better with your interior design.
13. Pallet Wood Coffee Table
Pallets are versatile materials that can be used to make a variety of furniture ideas. One way to use them is to turn them into coffee tables. The first thing you would need to do is disassemble and cut the pallet boards into the dimensions you intend to use. Arrange and screw the pieces together, and finish the piece with a rich wood stain.
14. Floating Shelves from Salvaged Wood
Floating shelves are stylish places to display your various knick knacks on. Salvage wood that can still be put to good use, sand, and seal it. Install the wood with floating shelf hardware and place them anywhere you need the extra shelf space.
15. Upcycle Plant Stands from Chair Legs
If you don’t prefer upcycling the chair itself, the legs can be taken out and made into sturdy plant stands. You can use legs from metal or wood chairs and all you have to do is attach it to a circular or square top. Paint it any color that suits your interior design best and add your choice of plant or even sculptures on top.
16. Mosaic Tabletop with Broken China
When china with a gorgeous pattern breaks, its potential doesn’t end there. Collect pieces and arrange them into a unique patterned tabletop. Upcycle an old table and bring it back to life with a whimsical and romantic mosaic display. Arrange the broken pieces, glue down, and fill the gaps with grout.
17. Barrel Coffee Table
Barrels aren’t just containers; they are rustic coffee tables waiting to be made. Clean and seal the barrel before cutting it in half lengthwise. Attach a glass or wood tabletop using strong adhesive and display accordingly.
18. Suitcase Pet Bed
Your furry friends deserve chic and stylish beds; you don’t need to dig deep into your wallets for one. Old suitcases may not be safe for travel anymore, but with the right additions, it can be the perfect pet bed. You can either remove the lid or keep it open for style and add soft padding for comfort. Style the bed with a nameplate or other pet-friendly details.
19. Sculptural Chair from Old Tires
Tires are made of synthetic rubber that does not easily break down and become problems for the earth. To prevent them from polluting bodies of water and filling up landfills, old tires can be used as avant-garde sculptural chairs. Stack tires for the base and backrest, and wrap rope or fabric tightly for additional texture.
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