‘’Out with the old, in with the upcycled’’…
You heard it here first, and it’s a mantra we think is rather apt for the dawning of spring, which heralds a sense of rejuvenation and renewal.
Upcycling – reclaiming one person’s trash and turning it into treasure, or repurposing old bits from around the house and casting them in new and exciting roles – provides an opportunity for homeowners to show off their creativity just in time for the influx of house (and garden) guests that the warmer weather welcomes.
What’s more, it’s a sustainable, affordable way to decorate your home, not to mention the busy work it makes for younger, idle thumbs around the house for free! And that all sounds rather perfect for a country in the midst of a cost of living crisis, don’t you think?
The cost of refreshing your home in 2023 can be daunting. To save money and put what would otherwise be wasted to good use, why not try these 7 upcycling DIY craft projects for spring.
Build A Coffee Table From Reclaimed Pallets
Got some old pallets hanging around in the garden? Or, are there small businesses in your neighbourhood looking to give away wooden pallets for free?
Wooden pallets are a DIY lover’s dream, and once you’ve got your hands on some, why not turn them into a funky coffee table? With a little creativity and ingenuity (and a hammer and some nails), you can introduce a living room focal point for free! Check out this useful guide for some top tips on building your own coffee table from pallets here.
Create Your Own No-Spill Tablecloth
Kids always spilling stuff on your kitchen table? Tired of washing your table cloth after every single supper? Well, why not craft a no-spill, easy to wipe tablecloth from fabric and vinyl? Cut two large, table-sized rectangles from each sheet, iron them together on one side, and trim the edges with pinking shears for an authentic feel without fraying.
Alternatively, you can follow the same principle but in a more manageable size to create placemats for all the family.
Read: 6 DIY and crafts trends set to be huge in 2023
Give Tired Furniture New Life With A Fresh Paint Job
Perhaps a more all-encompassing, broader project, this one, but no less useful for the overall aesthetic of your home, is to breathe new life into pieces of furniture you might be considering throwing away via a fresh lick of paint.
This can be applied to all kinds of items around the house, whether it’s a bookcase that’s seen better days, a lamp in need of visual refreshment, or an antique cabinet that’s gone from gracefully ageing to positively deteriorating, seemingly overnight.
Should you be keen on introducing the always on-trend industrial aesthetic to your home, then rust effect DIY projects are a great way to go, whether you’re spray painting ceramics that have spent too much time in the back of the cupboard or even trying your hand at a bit of wall art. The world is your oyster – or, rather, your blank canvas!
Make A Pocket For Your TV Remote
For families who are always losing the remote, here’s a fun crafts idea that’s also pretty functional; a specifically designed pocket, designed to hold the TV remote!
You don’t even need any sewing skills. Simply put a fusible fleece between old jeans and cover it with a no-sew fabric. Iron both layers together, and put something heavy on top (such as a stack of books) so they adhere together well. There you have it; a cute little pocket to keep your remote safe from slipping down the back of the sofa.
Create An Embroidered Laundry Bag From A Pillowcase
An embroidered laundry bag is a great way to keep your delicates in one spot instead cascading off the side of your bed and littered across the floor (just us? Oh).
And if that laundry bag is made from an item you already have lying around the house? Even better! To make your laundry bag, simply clamp the pillowcase into an embroidery hoop and tie on some ribbon. Then, if you’re keen to get creative with the design of your new laundry bag, check out this great guide from Instructables on how to embroider pillowcases.
Fashion An Eco-Friendly Coaster From Old Jeans
You can make your own eco-friendly coaster using just a pair of old jeans. All you need is wool and an agitator. Wash 100% natural fibres in hot water followed by drying on the denim settings for three rounds before they are ready to be cut out using scissors or a sharp knife.
Then, simply cut out squares of denim to create funky, one-of-kind coasters. These coasters will boast naturally frayed edges which can look really cool on your wooden pallet coffee table!
Make Your Own Candles
It’s important to keep up those cosy domestic vibes as spring splutters and stutters into life; you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment if you assume it’s pure warm weather and open windows as soon as March begins!
Moreover, smell plays a huge role in bringing the comfort of the season into your domestic space at any time of year. Enter the scented candle; a mainstay if ever there was one.
Indeed, there’s nothing quite like the glowing flicker of a candle giving off a gentle scent to give the ambience of your home a lift, helping relieve stress, improve concentration and even elevate your mood.
However, those expensive Jo Malone candles soon start adding up. Instead, why not make your own candles? Channel the energy of winter here and get creative by making your own signature scent.
With the right know-how, it’s easy to melt down some wax, add some essential oils, and luxuriate in your seasonal creations until the year’s out. There are some great Youtube videos on candle making to help you get started.
Build Your Own Bee Hotel
We’re all well versed by now in the importance of bees to our planet. But did you know that you can make your own garden more eco friendly by creating a safe, welcoming space for our buzzing buddies?
You can make your garden more bee friendly by introducing plants that they particularly love as spring begins and things start getting bloomin’ lovely out there (sorry). Some of the best include echinacea, crocuses, zinnias, lavender, and sunflowers.
Go further, and build a bee hotel to encourage a hive of activity in your garden. All you’ll need is a 2 litre plastic bottle (hey, what a great way to recycle!), sandpaper, a craft knife, a metre’s worth of strong twine, and some garden clippers. Once you’ve gathered your bits together, click here to find out how to make your very own bee hotel.