We’ve all got things at home which don’t get used any more but are just too nice or have too much sentimental value to throw in the bin.
The growing upcycling movement embraces these old items and helps you give them another lease of life, and recognises that reusing things is far better for the planet then throwing away and buying new.
Here are some upcycling ideas for basic kitchen items which we all have at home.
Upcycling Plates and Saucers
Breaking a few dinner plates or saucers doesn’t mean you have to throw the rest of the set in the bin.
It’s easy to turn plates and saucers into cake stands using a special metal rod kit which is widely available online – just carefully drill holes in the centre of each plate and screw the rods together to make your cake stand.
Broken china pieces can be used like mosaic to decorate something in the garden, or you could use permanent markers to add to the decoration on a vintage plate for display.
Upcycling Sieves and Colanders
Metal sieves and colanders are some of the easiest items to repurpose, and metal ones can be used as garden planters or lightshades.
An old kitchen colander as a lightshade looks fabulous in the kitchen but make sure you know what you are doing when working with electricity.
They also make ideal hanging baskets, especially the type of colander which comes with handles to attach chains to.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to grow your herbs so that they are easily to hand when cooking, use an old colander lined with permeable membrane and filled with compost.
Upcycling Kitchen Chairs
Mismatched chairs look great in a country kitchen, and wooden kitchen chairs are a staple of car boot sales and second hand stores.
Use chalk paint to give a wooden chair an instant makeover, and using this type of paint means you won’t have to prime the wood first either.
Covering the seat pad with new fabric is easy too, although you may have to invest in a staple gun.
If you’re artistic, you can let your creativity flow with different paint effects and decoration on the chairs.
Once you’ve finished with the chairs, move on to thinking of ideas for upcycling your table too.
Upcycling Storage Containers
Glass storage jars with screw on lids can also be used make unusual light fittings, but again you’ll need an electrician to help with this.
If you’re short on shelf and cupboard space in your kitchen make a feature of your storage jars by screwing the lids to the underside of the ceiling or kitchen units.
Fill the jars in the usual way, and secure them in place by screwing the jar into the lid.
Storage jars can also be painted, or use some blackboard paint to create a space to let you label the contents of the jar.
Drinking out of jars is very fashionable at the moment so serve cocktails or soft drinks in them with a paper umbrella and a straw.
