Upcycled Decor

Upcycled DecorSTYLE YOUR HOME FOR LESS! By Jeweliana Curtis

Is your space in need of a refresh? Maybe you have just moved into a new home and are looking for ways to make it feel like yours, or perhaps you are feeling the urge to change up your decor to make it feel new and fresh again. Decorating your space can really make it feel like a home, but it’s no secret that this can be a daunting and rather expensive task. If you are searching for creative ways to add some personality and style into your space on a budget, check out these great ways to up-cycle items that you already own or could pick up at an inexpensive price.

Bonus: These activities are fun and can really get your creative juices owing. So, enjoy creating something new with your kids or invite the girls over for an adult craft night. It’s time to up-cycle!

This trend took the design world by storm, and for good reason! If you love the look of ceramic vases and earthy pottery on display but do not want to invest in a large quantity of pieces at a higher price tag, this DIY is for you. Not only do the completed vases look like an expensive work of art, but it is a great way to reuse an item you may already have lying around in your home. The best part? This DIY is super simple and only needs a few materials.

Materials:

• Glass vases of choice • Paint of choice • Baking Soda • Paintbrushes

Directions:

Begin by cleaning your glass vases and ensuring they are dry. Next, mix together a ¼ cup of the paint of your choice and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Mix until combined. Ensure that the paint is spreadable but not too thin. If needed, add more baking soda or paint until the desired amount of texture is reached. Paint the mixture on your vases in an even layer. Allow it to dry before going in with another coat, repeating these steps until the desired look is accomplished. Let dry completely before styling on a shelf, using as a planter or decorating with it in your home.

Pro Tip: If you do not already have vases to use, a visit to your local thrift store is a great place to search. Not only are the glass vases inexpensive here, but you can also nd many unique shapes and textured vases to play around with. Plus, this is a very sustainable way to source pieces to complete your home decor. Searching for a large piece of art for a blank wall in your home? If so, you will likely notice that the larger the art, the pricier it can be. We are huge fans of supporting local artists and their stunning work, but if your budget does not allow, we have a solution for you: DIY textured art! This is a great option for someone who is looking to try their hand at creating a special piece for their home, and it is really simple to accomplish—no art skills required!

Materials:

• Blank canvas - In size of choice • Spackling paint • Putty knife • White paint • Paint in color of choice (optional)

Directions:

Begin by prepping your space with painters drop cloth and placing your blank art canvas on top. Next, begin layering on the spackle using the applicator. The key is to create organic strokes and shapes as you see t. Do not be afraid to play around with di erent shapes, strokes and textures to create the art of your liking. If you need some inspiration, there are many tutorials on YouTube or Pinterest that you can glean ideas from. Cover the entire canvas in spackling paint as desired, then allow it to dry overnight. Once it is completely dry, begin to paint over the entire piece of art with your white paint, or the paint of your choice. Feel free to mix colors and tones to create shadows and highlights over the texture. Let dry in between coats. After you have achieved your desired color, let the piece dry overnight once more before hanging in your space.

Pro Tip: While this trend originally became popular on large canvases, this can easily be adjusted to t your space. Only need a small piece of art to complete a gallery wall? Use this technique on an 8x10 canvas. Need to ll a large wall? Invest in a large canvas or three smaller canvases to hang side by side. Don’t be afraid to get creative and adorn it in colors that work best in your space. The sky’s the limit!

Easy Furniture Flip

Furnishing a new home can be a bit overwhelming, so why not ip pieces that you already have or can pick up from your local thrift store? The featured ip in this article was inexpensive and so simple to do! This tired piece of furniture was being given away in the neighborhood, so with a little TLC, we brought it back to life and modernized it for under $30 using simple DIY tricks. Check out the whole process to gain inspiration for ipping your own furniture pieces today!

Materials:

• Preferred Furniture Piece • Sandpaper • Painters drop cloth • Paint • New hardware • Tool kit Directions: Once you have acquired your ip item, clean it well and prep the surfaces for paint. If your item has pieces that need to be removed prior to painting, like doors or drawers, remove those now and wipe them down as well. Sand down the areas that are going to be painted, if needed, to prepare for the rst coat. Spread out painters drop cloths to avoid messes, and begin painting your piece in the color of your choice. It may take a few coats for the color to become completely opaque, so repeat this step as needed, allowing it to dry completely in between coats.

Once the piece is dry, it is time to reassemble it and give it an upgrade with new hardware. For this storage bin, we chose a sleek, silver pull that compliments the other nishes in the space. Get creative with this step and nd knobs or handles that you love! There are great options at your local hardware store, but other options can be found at craft stores, on Amazon or on Etsy. This is an inexpensive step that truly makes a world of di erence! Once your new hardware is on, your piece is ready to nd its home and be styled for your space. ■

Pro Tip: Shop Your Home! One of my favorite ways to shop is with a $0 budget. Take a tour around your house and look for items that you’re bored or tired of. Then with a little creativity, give them a fresh new look. It can be as simple as a coat of spray paint (in a fun, vibrant color) or taking the item and completely changing its function. It can be a super simple reuse of an item, but I guarantee by changing its look, the item will be new again!

Photos Courtesy of VisualHeart.com

Here’s what it took to give this box a new life:

• Sanding all over • Sanding o all the paint on the drawer • 2 coats of primer • 2 coats of high-gloss enamel paint - Tropicana Cabana + Snowfall White • Attached 6” wood & metal legs • 2 coats of tung oil (on the drawer and legs only)