There are many reasons to upcycle your old furniture. For starters, it can save you some money and, secondly, it reduces waste and therefore helps to reduce your carbon footprint. But there are other reasons for upcycling old furniture. If you are good at it, it can become a very enjoyable hobby. You might even be able to make some money selling your new creations. How do you get started though?
Be Creative
When upcycling furniture, you are only limited by your imagination. If you have an idea, go with it and see what happens. The more you do, the easier it will become; you can learn from your mistakes as you go as well. The great thing about upscaling furniture is that if you don’t like what you have done, you can often start again.
Planning is Key
Some people get an idea in their head and just go with it. For most though, planning is the best way to create something truly exceptional. If you prepare beforehand, and have all the tools you need, you will find the job easier. If you want to start by repainting wooden furniture, then you will only need the basic tools like brushes and some sandpaper. But if you plan to totally recreate furniture, you may need to invest in saws and angle grinders fitted with the right blades. The folk at Devour Tools say that something as simple as an angle grinder blade can make all the difference when trying to achieve the perfect cut.
Clean and Prepare Furniture First
As mentioned, planning is particularly important so that you have an idea of what you are going to do and that you have the right tools available. However, before you go gung-ho with your paintbrush and power tools, make sure that the furniture you are planning to recycle is clean and that any scratches or holes are filled in and sanded down. You may also need to apply a primer before you start painting.
Take Your Time
It is easy to get carried away and rush things when starting a new hobby that you are excited about. But rushing means you are probably not going to get the finish you want. It is better to go slowly in the beginning until you get the hang of the different techniques you can use.
Get Ideas Online
There are many places to get inspiration for your projects from, and the internet is a wonderful place to look for tutorials and tips. For example, most people who upcycle furniture will tell you that it is worth spending a bit more on tools such as paintbrushes as the cheaper they are, the more likely they are to leave bristles behind. Furthermore, cheap brushes may not always provide the cover you want. To keep your brushes moist between each coat of paint, use foil or saran wrap. When you have finished, you can clean them and put them away. Another great tip is to collect old socks so that you can use them apply wax to wooden furniture.
Conclusion
Recycling old furniture is a great pastime and a wonderful way to cut down on waste. It is something that anyone can try; if you enjoy it, you could even turn it into a part time income earner. At the very minimum, you can create beautiful pieces of furniture for your home.
If you are planning to give this a go, it is important to prepare in advance and make sure you have everything you need to complete the project. Above all, have fun and be creative.