65 Useful Upcycling Ideas for Beginners 2023

While a simple glass vase is a nice way to display flowers or greenery, it doesn’t make much of a statement — and chances are you have more than one laying around collecting dust.

All you need is a roll or two of jute rope to turn a boring vase into a beautiful ocean-inspired vessel. Hot glue the jute rope around the vase row by row until you’re content with the final result.

Tired of looking at your drab, dated cabinet? Turn it into a conversation piece in just a few simple steps. Get your furniture DIY ready by removing the hardware, lightly sanding the wood and wiping it clean.

Transform an old cabinet into a beautiful bookcase with peel-and-stick wallpaper — like this Spoonflower design full of dandelions, yarrows and tansy. To get started, measure and trim the wallpaper to fit the back of each shelf. Peel back the bottom left corner and set in place. Use a wallpaper smoother or credit card to remove any air bubbles.

SHOP SPOONFLOWER WALLPAPER

If you craft regularly, you probably have a collection of jute rope at home. Use your jute rope to turn a slew of household items into chic decor.

SHOP JUTE ROPE

Sure, you’ve decorated with sea shells, but have you tried oyster shells? Save your oyster shells from a restaurant or seafood market, or purchase them on Amazon.

Pendant lights can be pricey. That’s why we suggest making your own. Use the base of a semi-flush mount light, use pliers to create a hole in the bottom of the basket and start fitting it to your mount.

Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth »

If you finally replaced your shutters and are looking for a fun project to spruce up your home, your old shutters can be assembled into a statement piece.

For this project, you’ll need your shutters, a measuring tape, four pieces of medium-density fiberboard, bun feet and knobs. Don’t forget your preferred color coat to paint it once assembled.

SHOP MEDIUM-DENSITY FIBERBOARD

Between Amazon boxes, cardboard food packaging and paper towel holders, our recycling bin is constantly overflowing. Have you considered using a series of boxes to make a kid-friendly craft?

After a fresh coat of pink paint, your child will completely forget this castle is made entirely of cardboard. A medium size box and cardboard canisters (like oat packaging) provide the foundation, while toilet paper rolls act as the balconies and turrets.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »

Brighten up your space by giving your dark dresser a pastel makeover. Start by removing the drawers and hardware. Work one section at a time with a paint and epoxy remover, allowing it to set for 15 minutes before using a scraping brush.

Simple chalk paint (we’re partial to sage) and finishing wax are all that’s needed to freshen up a worn dresser. Use two coats of Jolie Matte interior paint and allow it to dry fully (use a small roller for a smooth finish). Allow it to cure for a few hours before applying a second coat. Last, install new hardware like these oval cabinet knobs.

SHOP PASTEL PAINT

Whether you’ve got an overcrowded bookshelf or dusty novels in storage, a stack of old books is a great starting point for a home project.

To recreate this elegant side table, you’ll need to drill a hole the size of your dowel through each book’s center. Cut trim to form a box frame that fits snugly around one book, and nail it to the tabletop’s underside. Stack your books or encyclopedias, lining up the holes. Glue the dowel to the center of the table’s underside and screw it through the holes to secure them to the tabletop.

Use bricks from a leftover home project or buy them at your hardware store for around 60 cents each.

Scoop dirt or potting soil into a hole and pop in a few small succulents for the ultimate low-maintenance garden.