Mike Garten, Styling by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata; Xin Lu
While it's always fun taking a trip to your local thrift shop in search of unique home items and decor, transforming your old materials into new ones can be an exciting experience as well. So to help you turn your trash into treasure, we're sharing these genius upcycling ideas perfect for a day of crafts.
Upcycling is incredibly beneficial for our environment. It helps to lower the amount of discarded materials in landfills, while reducing the need for more to be produced. And from an eco-friendly standpoint, that means reduced air and water pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. That's a win for you, your home and the earth.
So whether you're new to upcycling or an expert in DIY home crafts and DIY home decor, you'll enjoy our inspirational roundup of budget ideas that will spark your imagination. From simply turning wine corks into bottle stoppers to transforming an old window into a functional organizer for your home's entryway, the list varies. And while it's great having dad around to help with the crafting fun, don't forget to let your little ones dive into their creativity, too.
Lis Engelhart
1 of 111
Before: Dated Cabinet
Tired of looking at your boring, dated cabinet? Turn it into a conversation piece in just a few simple steps. Get your furniture DIY ready by removing the hardware, lightly sanding the wood and wiping it clean.
Mike Garten; Styling by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata
2 of 111
After: Botanical Bookcase
Transform an old cabinet into a beautiful bookcase with peel-and-stick wallpaper — like this Spoonflower wallpaper full of dandelions, yarrows and tansy. To get started, measure and trim the wallpaper to fit the back of each shelf. Peel back the bottom left corner and set in place. Use a wallpaper smoother or credit card to remove any air bubbles.
SHOP SPOONFLOWER WALLPAPER
Mike Garten
3 of 111
Mike Garten; Styling by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata
4 of 111
After: Chic Storage
Decorative medallions aren't just for the "fifth wall." The right pair, alongside chic hardware, can bring a basic utility cabinet to life. After you prime and paint your medallions, you can attach them to doors using liquid nails. Once it dries overnight, measure and mark holes for new door hardware (painter's tape can help).
SHOP HARDWARE
Lis Engelhart
5 of 111
Before: Dark Dresser
Brighten up your space by giving your dark dresser a pastel makeover. Start by removing the drawers and hardware. Work one section at a time with a paint and epoxy remover, allowing it to set for 15 minutes before using a scraping brush.
Mike Garten; Styling by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata
6 of 111
After: Pastel Makeover
Simple chalk paint (we're partial to sage) and finishing wax are all that's needed to freshen up a worn dresser. Use two coats of Jolie Matte interior paint and allow it to dry fully (use a small roller for a smooth finish). Allow it to cure for a few hours before applying a second coat. Last, install new hardware like these oval cabinet knobs.
SHOP PASTEL PAINT
Xin Lu
7 of 111
Before: Bare Wall
If a structural home upgrade isn't in your budget, painting an arch on a wall is the next best thing. To create an outline, put a pin in the middle of the wall and tie a string to it with a pencil at the end.
Xin Lu
8 of 111
After: Painted Arch
Atlanta-based DIY enthusiast Xin Lu painted an arch in her trendy guest room using Behr's Green Balsam. "Most of my house is gray, so I used the arch wall as an opportunity to go for a bold color," she says. "It's a fun feature whenever our guests see it."
SHOP PAINT COLORS
Cara Newhart
9 of 111
Before: Plain White Fridge
Take your typical white or stainless steel fridge to the next level with wallpaper. Tip: pick up a spray bottle and fill it with water to easily spray the back of the wallpaper.
Cara Newhart
10 of 111
After: Wallpapered Refrigerator
Take a cue from this prepasted wallpaper DIY from interior designer Cara Newhart of Never Skip Brunch. "The beauty of wallpaper is that there are almost endless color and pattern options available, so you can find something that fits your vibe and color palette," she says. You can even spray paint the handles gold if you dare.
iStock
11 of 111
Before: Egg Cartons
You won't believe what you can turn your egg cartons into. It's the perfect decoration for spring.
Mike Garten
12 of 111
After: Egg Carton Flowers
While this may seem like a difficult project, the steps are easy enough for beginner crafters to follow (with minimal materials needed).
Get the tutorial »
Courtesy
13 of 111
Before: Distressed Armchair
That tattered chair you've been meaning to throw out can become a great addition to your home with the right DIY imagination.
Danielle Occhiogrosso
14 of 111
After: Fashionable Seating
Paint the wood frame to save yourself money before taking it for a pro upholstery appointment. You can add vibrant new fabric, while pairing it with a colorful pillow to enhance the design.
SHOP DALMATIAN SPOTS
Getty Images/ SW Photography
15 of 111
Before: Plain White Window Shutters
If you finally replaced your shutters and are looking for a fun home project to spruce up your space, your old shutters can be assembled into a statement piece.
Erika LaPresto
16 of 111
After: Colorful Cabinet
For this project, you'll need your shutters, a measuring tape, four pieces of medium-density fiberboard, bun feet and knobs. Don't forget your preferred color coat to paint it once assembled.
SHOP MEDIUM-DENSITY FIBERBOARD
David Tsay
17 of 111
Before: Ladder and Scrap Wood
For this transformation, you'll need two ladders, a 4-foot wooden rod and two wooden planks (one 4 ½ feet and one 4¾ feet).
SHOP RAW WOOD ROUND DOWEL
David Tsay
18 of 111
After: Clothing Rack
It's amazing what a few wood pieces and a ladder can turn into. You can make this easy-access rack by painting everything (the planks, rod and ladder). Use a drill and screws to attach the planks to the bottom two sets of rungs. Center two pipe brackets at the top of the ladder (on each top rung) before attaching them with screws and sliding the top rod through.
SHOP PIPE HANGER STRAPS
Amazon
19 of 111
Cornucopia Brands
Before: Wooden Bucket
Purchase a regular wooden bucket or use one around the house to turn it into a vibrant door display you and your guests can admire.
Brian Woodcock
20 of 111
After: Wooden Bucket Wreath
Wreaths make beautiful door decorations, especially during the warmer seasons. Fill your bucket with fresh flowers from your garden. You can pad the bucket with paper towels topped with floral foam to give the blooms a longevity boost.
Getty Images/ Nofi Sofyan Hadi / EyeEm
21 of 111
Before: Old Window Shutters
Replace your old shutters and turn it into a useful organizer for your entryway.
Courtesy
22 of 111
After: Unique Magazine and Card Rack
Refurbish old shutters to hold magazines, newspapers and those holiday cards you want to cherish and display.
Courtesy
23 of 111
Before: Old Bookcase
If your bookcase is thrifted, boring and worn out, turn it into an eye-catching focal point for your living room or bedroom.
Mike Garten
24 of 111
After: Stylish Hutch
You can transform your bookcase into something you really love. All it takes are stylish paint colors. Don't be afraid to mix and match shades for a unique look.
Getty Images/ John Block
25 of 111
Before: Seed Packets
Don't throw away your seed packets! Collect them throughout the week and save them for a fun DIY decoration.
Brian Woodcock
26 of 111
After: Seed Packet Wreath
To make this wreath, you'll need 12 to 14 seed packets, a 12-inch foam wreath form, artificial flowers and a hemp ribbon. Once you have your materials, attach the packets to the wreath form using straight pins. Then add the ribbon and flowers for color.
Mike Garten
27 of 111
Before: Plain Flip-Top Dresser
You don't need to buy a new dresser to change the style. All it takes to give yours a fresh look is some paint.
Mike Garten
28 of 111
After: A Striking Vanity
This dresser will become your favorite part of the room. Paint the front drawers in different shades of the same color for a unique design. Keep the stained wood throughout for contrast. And don't worry about buying full gallons of paint, as sample sizes should be just enough for this project.
Getty Images/ Tolga TEZCAN
29 of 111
Before: Tattered Window
You can DIY this six-pane window into a useful message board to stay organized on your tasks for the day.
Mike Garten
30 of 111
After: Message Board
Use medium-grit sandpaper to remove chipped paint from the window. Clean the panes before adding black chalkboard paint. You can even attach hooks to hang your coats, belts, scarves and other items.
0 Response to "Making Cool Easy Things Out of Junk"
Post a Comment