Boydens - Life at Home | Spring 2022 - Issue 02

boydens.co.uk Sustainability 62 Giving a renewed sense of purpose to existing items by upcycling is a great way to reduce the amount of waste we produce, and there are myriad places to find bargains and inspiration. “Furniture that boasts upcycling potential can often be cheap to buy or even sourced for free from people who are unaware of its possibilities,” says Elaine Penhaul, interior expert and owner of national home staging company, Lemon and Lime Interiors (lemonandlimeinteriors.co.uk). “While asking family and friends to pass on their preloved furniture is a great starting place, if you are looking for something more, then specific local charity shops or Facebook marketplace will have a plethora to choose from – you’ll be amazed at what gems you can uncover.” Pinterest is a great starting point for inspiration and, if you know the piece you want to upcycle, it is worthwhile searching online for blogs that give step-by-step instructions. “Upcycling has endless possibilities for all items around the home – for example, you could repurpose your old China tea set into a collection of ornate candle holders, or you could transform used baked bean tins into a herb garden,” explains Elaine. “To help keep your costs down, sanding and painting your item of furniture will give it a new lease of life under a limited budget and time. Just a tin of paint is needed to create an upcycled masterpiece – you could even use leftover paint that is lying around in your garage.” Similarly, you could use half a roll of wallpaper, left over from a room redecoration project, to transform the inside of a cupboard or the panels on the front of a wardrobe. Pine furniture is a great material for upcycling, according to Elaine, adding: “Pine dining chairs, tables, wardrobes and bookcases can be transformed with any colour, whether you prefer something neutral and understated or bright and bold to create a focal point in your room.” Do your bit for the planet and upcycle!

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