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HOW TO GET STARTED IN UPCYCLING

The Home Handyman

May/June 2023

Upcycling discarded furniture and giving it a new life is now much more fashionable than purchasing a brand-new characterless flat-pack furniture set.

Repurposing or upcycling old furniture and second-hand finds promises to remain one of the hottest trends for 2023. More and more DIY, crafting, and renovation enthusiasts are discovering the fun of transforming junk-shop furniture into beautiful, unique pieces for their homes.

And it is not just about fun. Repurposing or upcycling old furniture is a great way to save money as it offers a budget-friendly solution to style your home, whilst also doing your part for the planet. By repurposing old furniture, as opposed to buying new, you lessen your carbon footprint, contribute to a circular economy, and reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

The good news is that you don't need to be a skilled DIY'er to embrace upcycling - start with a few simple projects (like painting) until you build up confidence and become savvy enough to experiment with more challenging ventures.

For those who are keen to try their hand at furniture upcycling this year, Orlando Luis, CEO of Brights Hardware, a leading independent hardware retailer, offers some advice below on how to get started, and the tools and products needed.

"Start by visiting your local second-hand shops and charity stores, or have a look on Gumtree or Facebook marketplace, for second-hand furniture items that appeal to you and fit your needs. Use Pinterest to spark your creativity and fuel you with inspiration. There are no limits to what you can create," says Luis. "If the item you wish to upcycle is wood, metal, melamine, or cane, if it has been painted many times before, or not at all, if it is veneered or even if it has seen better days and is damaged and broken - there are tools, products and techniques that can have it looking beautiful and fresh again."

Essential products and tools for upcycling

Paint stripper:

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