COVER How to upcycle anything!
Give unused items a new lease of life with Gabrielle Albert’s fun repurposing projects
Spring is known for being the season of rebirth and renewal – which makes it the perfect time for digging out old, tired and forgotten pieces and giving them a bit of TLC. All around the home, there are items that can be reimagined and reused. With some creativity and a few handy tools, it’s possible to transform even the most mundane of items! We’ve rounded up our favourite upcycling tips and tricks you can use this season.
Pretty porcelain
Got a stash of old teacups? Why not have a go at creating cute vintage-inspired candles by filling the cups with wax – you can even add dye to achieve different colours. Alternatively, screw saucers together to make cake stands. However, drilling through porcelain can be tricky – it’s recommended that you wet it with a sponge to help prevent cracks, but have a look at video tutorials online before you start.
Musical silverware
Turn tarnished cutlery into a wind chime. Find a small container (as shown) that you can puncture holes in. Decorate as you wish then attach the cutlery around the perimeter with string. If you haven’t got a suitable container, simply tie them horizontally to a large twig or branch and listen to them tinkling in the wind!
GET CRAFTY Cut and stick
crying Got a dresser, bookcase or chest of drawers wallpaper out for a little love? This self-adhesive adding (£24, Dunelm) is a great material for instant colour and disguising any imperfections. and Best of all, it can also be repositioned reapplied without leaving a sticky residue.
Faux finishes
Creating new textures is a great way to add depth, contrast and personality to a room. For existing homewares, you can achieve this with a bottle of spray paint – specifically the Rust-Oleum Natural Effects range (£11, 400ml, B&Q). We love the shades concrete, stone and bleach stone for lamp bases and vases.
Hint: If you have some going spare, this spray is also handy for reviving outdoor stone and concrete garden ornaments that look a little worse for wear.
Perfect planters
Old mugs, bowls and teapots are the perfect size for small houseplants. Simply drill some drainage holes in the bottom and sit them on your sunniest, draught-free windowsill with a tray underneath to catch the water. The same goes for old coffee cans, which can look charming with a lick of paint. Just remember to file any sharp edges. Got an old pair of wellies? Transforming them into a garden planter is a fun and an easy way to put them to good use again. They’ll also help add an extra splash of colour to your garden. As well as the boots themselves, you’ll need some spray paint, a drill for creating drainage holes in the soles, potting soil – and some flowers to plant in them, of course!
Statement storage
Turn an old suitcase into a pretty storage box. Begin by cleaning and placing on newspaper in a well-ventilated area (outdoors is best). Then spray-paint the whole case with a light coating and leave to dry thoroughly. If you have two or three suitcases in different sizes, stack them from largest to smallest to create a new contemporary room feature.
Hint: Use a sheet of fine sandpaper and lightly buff some paint off to create a two-tone vintage look, as pictured.