We all know the importance of recycling when it comes to being eco-conscious. But have you heard about upcycling and how it can help reduce waste in landfills?
Upcycling is all about finding new and creative ways to repurpose items you would otherwise throw away. Examples include giving new clothes new life, refinishing old furniture, and transforming discarded materials into art.
For Earth Day this year, we want to inspire you to try upcycling in your home. Let’s dive in!
4 Upcycling Projects to Try
Repurposed Furniture
Do you have an old piece of furniture gathering dust in your garage or attic? You can transform it into something beautiful and functional with some elbow grease and creativity. Here’s how to refurbish furniture on your own:
1. Assess Your Furniture
Take a close look at the piece of furniture you want to refurbish. Determine if it needs cleaning and repairs or if it’s ready for a makeover right now.
2. Clean and Prep
Thoroughly clean the furniture with soap and water. If there are any scratches or imperfections, sand them to create a smooth surface for painting or staining.
3. Choose Your Finish
Decide on the finish you want for your furniture. You can opt for paint, stain, or a combination of both to achieve the desired look.
4. Apply the Finish
Using a paint brush or roller, apply your chosen finish to the furniture in smooth, even strokes. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next one.
5. Add Final Touches
Once the finish is dry, add any additional embellishments or hardware to complete the transformation. Consider updating the knobs or handles for a fresh new look.
DIY Mason Jar Garden Lanterns
Upcycling isn’t just for furniture – it’s also a fun way to personalize your home decor. For example, you can turn old mason jars into charming lanterns to light up your outdoor space.
Here’s how:
1. Gather Your Materials
You’ll need mason jars, tea light candles, decorative accents (such as twine or ribbon), and any additional embellishments you’d like to use.
2. Prep Your Jars
Clean the mason jars thoroughly and remove any labels or residue. Make sure they are completely dry before proceeding.
3. Decorate Your Jars
Wrap twine or ribbon around the top of each jar to create a decorative border. You can also add beads, charms, or other embellishments to customize the look.
4. Insert Candles
Place a tea light candle inside each jar, making sure it’s centered and secure. For a flameless option, you can also use LED candles.
5. Display Your Lanterns
Arrange your mason jar lanterns in your outdoor space, hanging from hooks or placed on tables or ledges. Light the candles and enjoy the cozy ambiance they create.
Upcycled Tire Garden Planters
Upcycled planters, garden art, and furniture can add personality to your garden. You can even use old tires by turning them into colorful planters for your garden.
Here’s how to create upcycled tire planters:
1. Find Your Materials
You’ll need old tires in various sizes, spray paint or outdoor paint, soil, and plants.
2. Prep Your Tires
Clean the tires thoroughly and let them dry completely. You can paint the tires to match your aesthetic. Our personal favorite is using outdoor paint in fun, bright colors!
3. Add Your Plants
Plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables in the tires, making sure they have enough space to thrive. Consider mixing different types of plants to keep things interesting.
4. Care for Your Planters
Water your plants regularly and put them in a place with enough sunlight. As your plants grow, keep checking on them and adjust care as needed.
Upcycled Fashion
Fast fashion is unsustainable, but you can follow current trends using pieces you already have. Need an idea? By adding patches, embroidery, or distressing, you can turn an old denim jacket into a trendy statement piece.
Here’s how to upcycle a denim jacket:
1. Gather Your Materials
You’ll need an old denim jacket, patches, embroidery thread, fabric glue, and any other embellishments you’d like to use.
2. Plan Your Design
Lay out your denim jacket and arrange the patches and embellishments where you want them. If you need more clarification on the design, you can search online for different patterns.
3. Attach Patches
Use fabric glue or a needle and thread to attach patches to the jacket. For added security, you can also stitch around the edges of each patch.
4. Add Embellishments
Get creative with additional embellishments like embroidery, studs, or fabric paint. Personalize your jacket with unique designs and details that reflect your style. Again, if you need help figuring out where to start, places like Pinterest have great inspiration!
5. Distress the Fabric (optional)
Use sandpaper or scissors to create worn areas on the denim for a distressed look. Focus on the cuffs, collar, and pockets for a lived-in feel.
If you like the idea of upcycling but need more time or energy to do it yourself, Taskers are ready to help with various steps of the process, from Cleaning to Painting to Gardening. Let’s create a more sustainable world together!
