Earth Day is April 22, but this entire month serves as a time to reflect on our impact on the planet. Around the country, people are coming together to plant trees, help with recycling projects, and raise awareness about sustainability.
While shopping sustainably is an excellent way to reduce waste, making the most of the furniture you have at home is the even more sustainable option. This Earth Month, instead of throwing away old furniture, consider how you might ‘upcycle’ it into more useful pieces. Let’s explore some easy furniture upcycle projects that you can do at home.
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What is Upcycling?
Upcycling is a form of recycling that involves transforming old or unused items into something new and useful. To upcycle furniture, you’ll typically need to change some of its features. The eco-friendly practice of upcycling minimizes waste, conserves energy, and extends the life of perfectly good pieces, reducing your carbon footprint in the process.
Creative Furniture Upcycle Projects for Earth Month
Coffee Table into a Bench
If you have a wooden coffee table that you’d like to replace, consider converting it into a stylish bench for your entryway, living room, or kitchen. You might need to make some adjustments to the table, including converting it into a more rectangular bench shape. Consider adding different legs, a new stain or layer of paint, a large seating cushion, and, finally, throw pillows to create a comfy perch.
Cabinet into a Bar
Are you considering throwing out an old dresser or cabinet? Instead, repurpose it into a stylish bar this Earth Month. Clear out the inside and add mirrored panels to the back wall. Finish it with a fresh coat of paint and some decorative hardware. Fill it with your favorite beverages, glasses, and barware, and voilà! You have a unique and personalized bar setup for entertaining friends and family this spring and summer.
Bookcase into a Storage Hutch
Give a tired old bookcase new life by transforming it into a storage hutch for use in your kitchen or dining room. Remove some shelves to create space for dishes or decorative items, and paint or refinish the exterior to match your decor. With its boho aesthetic, the Coco Republic Luna Bookcase would look perfect in a coastal kitchen.
Dresser into a Changing Table
Welcoming a new addition to the family? Baby furniture can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of buying new pieces, upcycle an old dresser into a functional and stylish changing table for your nursery. For example, the Feather Clinton 3-Drawer Dresser can easily be converted by adding a changing pad to the top surface. You can even paint the dresser to match your nursery. Finally, use the drawers to store diapers, wipes, and other baby essentials.
Stools into Plant Holders
Looking for a super easy upcycle project for Earth Month? Repurpose old footstools into stylish pedestals for your plants. Your plants will not only receive more light than they would on the floor, but they’ll also look more cohesive with your decor. You can either leave your stools in their current condition or paint them to match your room. Simple stools, like the HAY Soft Edge 80 Low Stools, are the easiest, but you can also make a statement with more stylized stools, like these Chinoiserie Round Stools.
Low Table into an Ottoman
Longing to put your feet up when you’re on the sofa? Turn a low table or footstool into a cozy ottoman simply by adding some padding. Your upcycled ottoman can even serve as an extra seat when needed.
Rattan Basket into a Pendant Light
Rattan pendant lights are trending, and their price tag matches their popularity. For a more affordable option, consider transforming a loose-weave rattan basket into a shade this Earth Month. To do this, carefully cut out the bottom of the basket so that it fits around a simple flush-mount fixture. No one will ever know the difference.
Dresser into a Sink
We love the idea of turning a vintage-inspired dresser, like this Ashley Furniture Prentice 7-Drawer Dresser, into a sink vanity. It brings a stylish charm, plus plenty of storage, which is always needed in a bathroom. This upcycle will take a bit of craftsmanship, as retrofitting the sink and plumbing into the dresser is required to pull it off. Finish your new vanity with a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware.
Other Quick Updates to Existing Furniture
- Switch Out Hardware
- Fresh Coat of Paint
- Powder Coat Metal Furniture
- Refinish or Stain Wood
- Add Caster Wheels to a Small Table
- Reupholster Furniture
- Stencil Furniture
Shop Sustainable Furniture on Kaiyo
Upcycling furniture is not only a sustainable way to extend the life of your existing pieces, but it’s also a fun activity for Earth Month. This April, consider what pieces you might have that can be transformed into something new. For everything else, shop sustainably on platforms like Kaiyo, where you can find a treasure trove of gently used furniture and accessories. Together, we can create a more sustainable future. Happy Earth Month!
