Upcycling is having a long-overdue moment in the spotlight. If you haven’t already, it couldn’t be a better time to try the environmentally-friendly and financially conscious trend of updating your home using pieces you already own, or vintage finds.
Upcycling is the process of updating or restoring existing furniture rather than disposing of it, giving it a fresh lease of life. And it’s having a resurgence. Why? Because just as consumers are moving away from the concept of fast fashion (and its detrimental impact on the planet), they’re also rejecting ‘fast furniture’ in favour of upcycling.
Buying furniture can also be expensive, not just costly for the earth. Upcycling can be a great, affordable alternative to this too!
Benefits of upcycling furniture include:
- It’s good for the environment: Upcycling saves perfectly salvageable pieces of furniture from going to landfill.
- It’s inexpensive: Unlike costly floor-to-ceiling updates, upcycling furniture by painting, panelling, or replacing knobs and handles can often be achieved for just the price of the materials.
- It’s fun: Putting your own creative stamp on something makes it uniquely yours and is guaranteed to give you an ‘I did that!’ sense of pride.
It’s also not just for experts and DIY gurus, either. The easiest method for upcycling furniture is giving it a fresh coat of paint. Here’s our top tips for getting started:
- Choose the right paint: The best choice for upcycling is a high-quality furniture paint such as Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan. Invented by Annie in 1990, this decorative furniture paint is easy-to-use, doesn’t require any messy sanding or priming, and is available in over 40 pigment-packed colours. It can also be used on almost every surface, including glass, metal, plastic, and of course, wood.
- Start small: Before upcycling larger pieces of furniture, try transforming smaller pieces such as bedside tables, or accessories like lamp bases and picture frames, first. This’ll give you the chance to gain confidence and get a feel for the style or colours you prefer.
- Shop your home: Upcycling is all about re-loving the pieces you already own. So before heading straight to a second-hand furniture shop or online marketplaces, consider the things you already have at home; you might just find something surprising!
And our final upcycling tip:
For maximum interior-styling points (and comfort!), complement your freshly upcycled pieces using a range of natural, sustainably produced materials, such as linen bedding. Just like the impact of repainting or restoring furniture, these materials are made to last, ensuring ultimate cosiness and durability, year after year.
Get creative with colour with our Mix & Match Linen Bedtime Bundle
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Ready to get started? Explore a range of over 40 Chalk Paint™ colours here, or for a regular fix of upcycling inspiration, head over to @anniesloanhome on Instagram!
Written by Tanya Emsley
Tanya is a Digital Copywriter and Content Creator at Annie Sloan Interiors Ltd.
