22 Creative Upcycling Ideas to Spark Your Next DIY Project
Upcycling is one of my favorite ways to decorate on a budget, reduce waste, and get creative with things most people would toss away. Today I’m sharing 22 upcycling projects—from tin can crafts to furniture makeovers—that prove you don’t need to spend a dime to create something beautiful.
After last week’s whirlwind of metal projects, I heard from so many of you who were excited about trying your own upcycles. That made me realize it was time for a refresh of some of my favorite ideas—because sometimes we all need a spark to get those creative juices flowing.
I recently had a question where do I get my ideas. Hmmm... well, that is kind of a tough question to answer. I am not one to seek out inspiration online, and there is a reason for that. Personally, I do not like for other projects to influence my creative process.
Oh, there is a process with me, I can assure you of that. Sometimes I have a clear idea of how I want a project to look when I begin, and other times? I have no idea what it will look like until I am sharing it with you.
I heard from so many in the comments and email that the pepper can was something many had never thought to upcycle. I have shared before, that before I throw anything away, I always let an item sit on our kitchen counter. It is something that drives my husband crazy, but it is my way of keeping an item in my mind.
Ever heard of out of sight, out of mind? Well, that is me in a nutshell. Once it goes to the basement, I forget all about it until I come across it again. He told me just this morning that I need to figure something out. He's a bit upset about the basement being a total wreck, so... this gal has some soul searching to do. Part with the trash, or hurry up and get started on upcycling more content for you. I think I will go with the latter because who am I even if I do not give it the old college try?
So, in the meantime, I will be sharing some older projects you may have forgotten about today while I cook up ideas in our basement.
Oh, and I am cleaning out cupboards in our kitchen and finding things I forgot I even had. So, we have enough to keep us busy for at least next year. If you have never met the person who keep everything, well, you just did, I am that gal. So, let's get started in revisiting a few of my projects while I see what else I can come up with.
I thought we would begin with a few Christmas ideas since the holidays will be here before we know it. Who knows, maybe you give handmade Christmas presents in which you may be excited for the ideas.
This is still one of my most popular posts, an upcycled popcorn tin! When I got started on this one, I had no idea I could really pull off a faux galvanized look, but I was so excited that it worked! You can see all the details by clicking the link: DIY Faux Galvanized Tin.
I enjoy decorating for Christmas, I can never seem to stop once I get started, and it even includes decorating our kitchen. I recall as a little girl my mom purchasing a new holiday kitchen towel every Christmas season. She would always have them hung over the oven handle, and I would admire the newest one. Dogs seem to have a mighty presence in our homes when it comes to kitchen towels, but you can always create them to your heart's desire too.
Elf on a Shelf lover? Well, you do not need to run out an purchase an elf when you can make your own mischievous gingerbread men who can find all sorts of trouble to get into too (2 separate posts).
I had so much fun creating and then staging these misfits, and I am sure you will too. It's amazing what you can do with a brown paper bag.
Would you believe me if I told you my napkin rings were created with toilet paper rolls and garland? Yep, so easy to make, and you can also beef them up a bit with napkin rings you already have for the holidays to create a new look.
Creating and recreating are things I do over and over around the cottage. Christmas is always nostalgic for me, and I really do enjoy bringing out the items we have had year after year, but I also like to give things a new look too. Sometimes that involves just a few extra steps, and saving trash.
My grandma's spice rack organizer got a new look for Christmas, and doesn't it look so cute? She gets a kick out of seeing her things made over in new ways in our home. It lets her know we love her, and cherish her even if we give some of her belongings a new look.
As you can see, nothing goes to waste around here, that even includes packing materials when making Christmas planters. I really got a kick out of creating these planters for our porch. They just needed a bit of propping up to make them complete, but they look fine as I shared them too.
I can assure you I will never purchase another gift tag again. Imagine how much money this will save me over my lifetime? Are you adding up the costs of your purchases over the years in your head too? Isn't it amazing what you can do with a business card?
I still have about a thousand in our basement, so my gift giving is covered for my time, but you can easily pick up business cards when you are out and about shopping. They usually have them at the counter, pick up one or ten, and you will be covered once the holidays roll around.
All of these Christmas crafts were made from upcycled materials. In case you ever thought I was pulling your leg when it comes to my stash, this one may prove we have a lot of junk in our home.
Do you see, I even snuck in another tin can. The Christmas Tree sign just may get you giggling when you see what I used for it. I know I was laughing the entire time I worked on this project. Four Christmas Craft Upcycling Craft ideas using various materials.
You can see here how I even recreate the look of rolled maps for our living room. Upcycling is all about looking at what you have in a new light. My mom saw old maps taking up space in her trunk, and I saw home decor. Isn't it funny how differently two people can see the world?
I doubt AAA had home decor in mind when the maps were printed in the 80's, but you work with what you have, and even use a bit of trash to bring the idea home and complete. I have always loved the idea of blueprints rolled up and displayed in our home, but the maps are what I had to work with, so that is how this idea was born.
You can certainly recreate these cute as a button envelope bag place holders for any holiday dinner. I had so much fun creating these mini bags and coming up with ideas on how to use them for holiday dinners.
Isn't it amazing what all you can do with cardboard when it comes to upcycling? I actually really enjoy working with it since it is free, and I am keeping it from the landfill to boot - a bonus for me. I see boxes in the trash every week, if you do not upcycle, why not take them to your local recycling location?
What do you think of my chicken broth container now? I laughed when this idea came about. I simply could not throw it out, and it sat on the counter for a few days, and then inspiration struck! Do you see how I can drive my husband batty? I just tell him, hey, we are doing an awesome job of not producing more trash each week with my oh so lovely ideas my dear! You know I get an eye roll, right? The nerve!
Ahhh... my love of tin can crafts runs deep. When I told you they are my favorite thing to make over, it was totally true. Gosh, how can one not love making over those tins that hold our food in one life, and then the next look so good like this?
If they are not your thing, I get it, no wait, I don't actually. I mean beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but geez, don't you think they are amazing?
Now, the three plaster lamps was something new for me, and I thought I may get stumped, but I like to think they turned out fabulous! It's rare for me to toot my own horn, but toot, toot!
The one shown below was my trouble maker, but I didn't let a rod sticking out the top stop me from creating another beaut for our living room. Sometimes I have a really difficult time choosing what decor items to share in our home because I would like to have them all displayed.
My mom has already told me that our home is a little overwhelming when people come to visit. My neighbor thinks it's great, but collectors tend to stick together when it comes to this sort of thing, teehee.
Check out how grandma's housecoat gets made over into a fall garland. If you have been reading with me for any length of time, then you know I am sentimental. I simply cannot get rid of things that have belonged to loved ones, and when we had the auction for my grandma's belongings... well, we will just say the auctioneer and I did not see eye to eye. It is also how our basement grew with things down there too. Between my husband's childhood home, grandma, and mom wanting to clear out, we are bursting at the seams. But, I have a plan in place. Let's hope I can outwork the kitchen.
Do you save your plastic pots when you purchase flowers? I did, imagine that, right? See how I made this sweet little bunny basket. I was over the moon with how it turned out. I really wasn't sure what to expect when I first began, but by the end I was as happy as a lark.
I finally got around to upcycling one of my many piano legs from the basement. I was so happy to make this unique antique accent table for our bathroom. When we had the bathroom updated, our old shower curtain rod disappeared and so it had to be replaced with a tension shower curtain rod, talk about a major downgrade. I had to get inventive in where to put my towel. You see, us short gals do not have the wingspan to reach across from the tub to the vanity, and for some reason, I do not like putting my clean towel on the floor, it's an OCD thing for me I guess, so this works for me.
Talk about a poor excuse of a lampshade, but have no fear... Cara is here. If you find yourself in a similar situation when you have stored something in the garage for years on end, then check out how I give this lampshade a major makeover. Mom still proudly has it displayed in her breezeway.
If you have ever wondered what to do with an old bowling ball besides let your dog play with it, this is your post. Bentley was quite intrigued by this heavy ball and had to get in there before it received a makeover. Click the link to see how it is living it's best life in my flower beds.
Do you have a lamp like this, and think ugh... I need to buy a new one? Well, I am here to tell you, stop! Don't do it. You can give that lamp a new look with a little paint. Go ahead, click the link, you know you want to! Upcycling metal lamps with paint never looked so good.
Last, but certainly not least, another cardboard upcycle. Can you even believe this little ole' napkin ring was ever just a plain ordinary cardboard box? I know, it is difficult to imagine, but they were.
Since I tend to live in the more whimsical tines of life, I am sure it will come as no surprise I am a big fan of Peter Rabbit. Sometimes I even delve back to childhood for inspiration, and it certainly found me down a different rabbit hole than you may expect.
I hope you enjoyed today's inspiration, and find something that you think, I can do that! I hope you do not need to spend a dime to make your project come to life too. I am all about saving money where we can. Stay tuned, I am sure I will have a variety of things to share soon, plus updates on our kitchen. It is slow moving, but once plans are set in stone it will probably more more quickly than I am prepared for. Yikes, that makes me very nervous all of a sudden. Incidentally enough, Bentley and I are not fans of big changes, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
