DIY Décor: 6 simple ways to upcycle your home
January 23, 2019
These days, waste is a huge problem. From food waste to unwanted clothing and materials to home décor- 2019 is the year to make a conscious effort to upcycle and recycle where ever possible. And this includes in and around your home.

It’s no secret that re-decorating your home can be expensive- so here’s a simple way to skip the overpriced décor and craft your own statement pieces to give your home a personal touch. 
Upcycling unwanted, old and worn pieces of furniture or bits of décor is far simpler than you think and a great DIY project if you love to work with your hands! It can also be ridiculously self-satisfying to enjoy your own creativity when you find a purpose for an object that is completely in contradiction of its original intention!

Here are 6 upcycle ideas for in and around your home:

1. DIY Shower Curtain Rod

Whether you have a free-standing bath tub or a fitted one, an industrial inspired shower curtain rail is reminiscent of an old-world, colonial feel and will lend a beautiful romanticism to a main bathroom. If you have unused brass piping (lacquered), you can easily fashion a shower curtain frame, attach to your ceiling with a few screws and attach a few polished brass hooks and a curtain over your bath. 
Finish off the look with a polished brass shower head and some industrial style valve taps and handles. Add a Persian rug to the middle of the room and a couple of green hanging plants, and your bathroom will be totally transformed!  

2. DIY Wall Centre Piece

Have a few old wooden window frames you’re looking to toss? Hold onto those! You can create a number of statement décor pieces, including a wall centre piece for a dining area, main bedroom or lounge. Simply sand it down and repaint if necessary and use it as a multi-frame for your favourite family photos or old sporting equipment. Hang it horizontally across your wall for a re-purposed, upcycled walk down memory lane.
 
3. DIY Headboard

Looking to add some visual appeal to your main bedroom or even a guest room? An upcycled, DIY headboard should do the trick! All you need is an old wooden door –the more character the better. Scuffed and fading paint adds to the appeal. Mount it or lean it against the wall horizontally behind your bed for a DIY headboard. 
Alternatively, the same can be achieved with an old carpet you’re looking to toss. Give it a thorough clean and mount it behind your bed for a bohemian touch of character.

4. DIY Freestanding Shelves

Looking for a freestanding shelf to spice up a corner of your room? All you’ll need is an old, wooden ladder and few extra bits of wood! Remove the back supporting leg, then sand it down and repaint to your desired colour. If the ladder steps aren’t wide enough, you can lengthen the steps by drilling and attaching cut-to-size slats for a wider shelf space. Simply lean against your wall and decorate with a range of trinkets. 

5. DIY Statement Door

Make a real statement in your home with a DIY sliding door, fashioned from an old, unwanted barn door which can be mounted onto rails for sliding access. This type of statement door can be used to separate or create a divide within a large, open space such as between a lounge and dining area.

6. DIY Side Table

Finally, if you have a number of unwanted books lying around (we’re all guilty of this!), they can be used to create a DIY side table. This DIY project works best with similar sized, shape and colour of books – such as a range of old encyclopaedias. Stack your books on top of each other, slightly alternating each angle to create a twisting shape. Attach together by drilling a hole in the centre of each book and inserting a rod. Finish off with a table top of your choosing!
Recycling unwanted items and pieces of furniture gives you the freedom to make ingenious rookie errors. Let your imagination run wild – it costs you nothing!

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By Kyra Harper August 15, 2023
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