If you’re thinking of changing the decor in your home but are stuck with budget constraints or want to undertake a more creative challenge why not consider upcycling some of your key furniture pieces.
Whether you’re dusting down the sewing machine to recover chairs or painting items of wooden furniture, planning is the key to success with any upcycling project.
Here are 5 things you should take into consideration before beginning an upcycling project:
1. Plan your budget
One great aspect of upcycling is that you get to create new and improved items from old ones. This should be cheaper than going out and buying an entirely new piece, so make sure you don’t over-spend by planning how much you are able and willing to spend first.
Your budget will need to account for many things from paint and tools to safety wear. Some people might find it useful to plan out their project on paper.
2. Location, Location, Location!
Get an idea of where you want to place your finished product. This will guide you in your design of the furniture and help you to make educated decisions along the way such as size, style and colour.
3. Finding Inspiration
To get some ideas of what kind of things you can do to revive your furniture, why not look up some projects others have done?
There are various websites out there to give you some inspiration such as Pinterest where you can even store ideas that inspire you for future reference!
4. Safety First
You’ve got your furniture and you know what you’re doing with it. Now, the main thing to focus on is safety. If you’re using tools you are unfamiliar with, do your research and make sure you're feeling comfortable about using them, with power tools especially it's a good idea to practice on something that doesn't matter before launching into the final project.
Though many may feel this step is either obvious or unnecessary, it is vital for your own protection. A precaution you can take is finding a suitable space to work in.
Keep in mind that good ventilation is key as fumes and dust are often products of the materials you may be working with.
5. Preparation
Along with being well ventilated, your chosen work space should be well prepared before you begin. Old newspapers or curtains are good materials for protecting surroundings. However, plastic sheets can be purchased from DIY stores. Once you are sure you have covered everything important in your working area, you can move on to preparing your furniture.
If working with a wooden item, sanding down the surface is useful for helping paint to adhere. Alternatively, ESP can be painted on to achieve similar results instead of sanding. Though, no matter what material you are working with, it is important to explore your options for preparation to find the appropriate measures to take for your desired outcome. After all, planning is everything.
