Upcycling Projects for All Around the Home

Upcycling ideas are only limited by your imagination. Just about any material can be transformed into something else. The best upcycling projects take an item that was no longer used and turn it into something that is now a prized piece in your home.

For something to be upcycled, you don't need to change the function. For instance, you don't need to turn a tire into a planter. All you need to do is upgrade the look and feel of an item and enhance it in some way. Sometimes this means changing the function, but other times this means simply giving an item a much needed makeover.

These upcycling projects range from complex to simple and incorporate a wide variety of materials. Get inspired and think about ways you can upgrade the items in your home.

The Navage Patch

If you want to learn how to upcycle, you first need to think outside the box. Look at some unused furniture pieces in your home and think about how they could function in a completely different way. Handan and Greg from The Navage Patch show their readers how they transformed a useless chest of drawers into this stylish and functional wine bar.

Confessions of a Serial Do it Yourselfer

Repurposed items work best when they fit in with your existing home decor. If you have a coastal-themed living space, you might like this project from Christy at Confessions of a Serial Do it Yourselfer. She completely transforms this vintage suitcase into an item she wants to display in her home. Check out her tutorial to learn how to transform an old suitcase in a similar style.

Lauren Thomann

Sometimes it doesn't make sense to paint or change antique furniture because painting it would reduce the resale value. However, when antique furniture is in rough shape, one of the best and easiest ways to upcycle it is to paint it. This tutorial shows you how to refurbish an old washstand into a stylish end table.

Grillo Designs

If you're like most people, you may have accumulated a lot of extra kitchenware over the years. Medina from Grillo Designs decided to put some of her vintage baking tins to better use by making a three-tiered serving tray. The end result looks like something you'd buy from a high-end kitchen shop. Head over to her tutorial to learn how to make one for your cooking space.

Craft-o-Maniac

Old doors are commonly upcycled into things like headboards and furniture. Jen from Craft-O-Maniac came up with a brilliant idea to use an old door in her entryway mudroom area. Head over to her site to read more about the process and see a ton of before and after photos.