Tip: Upcycling

But what is Upcycling?

In short: it's the process of renewing old items. This can be done in many ways. You can undertake a big project involving intricate techniques, or opt for something super easy with quick results. Building a couch from worn-out pallets is an example of upcycling, but so is giving an old vase a fresh coat of paint. You can make it as challenging or as simple as you like. It's certainly cheaper to spruce up your current possessions than to buy something new. Plus, it's incredibly sustainable to transform something you would normally throw away into something new. According to Statistics Netherlands, Dutch people generate 494 kilograms of waste per person annually. 40% of this is not separated for recycling and often ends up being burned, resulting in significant CO2 emissions. So, it's always a good idea to consider how much you're throwing away. This blog post provides several tips on how to give new life to your old stuff and trash.

Pimp Your Stuff

Do you find your TV cabinet, which you've had for a few years, or your coffee table boring? No problem—some paint and tape can go a long way. A geometric pattern, for instance, is stylish and easy to create yourself. Use tape to cover the areas you don't want to paint and apply your chosen color. This way, you don't have to worry about going outside the lines. And isn't it satisfying to peel off the tape and reveal perfect straight lines? You can apply this technique to anything you like. It also looks great to give the top of a wooden chair a bright color. If geometric trends aren't your thing, we have plenty of stencils on our site for you to choose from. If you're not in the mood for DIY, check out 'I am recycled'. They have lamps made from old cans, clocks from old beer kegs, a Bluetooth speaker from a suitcase, and much more. Their unique lighting and furniture are inspired by leftover and sustainable materials, as shown in the pictures.

Trash-to-Treasure

In addition to sprucing up your old furniture, it's fun to transform items you would normally throw away into cute decorations. Did you know you can make an organizer for pens or brushes from old toilet paper rolls? Paint the rolls in your favorite color or get creative with markers and fineliners. Arrange the rolls tightly in a box and fill them with your favorite items. You can also do a lot with old jars and cans. For example, turn an old jam jar into a tea light holder. Stick on circles or other shapes and paint over them. Remove the stickers and admire the beautiful effect of the candlelight shining through. If you're good at drawing, you can create a lovely design using markers that work on glass. Do you have green fingers? Make a flower pot out of an old can, and you can also use paint or markers for this.

Get Creative!

As you can see, the options are endless. With a little bit of paint, some tape, a stencil, and a marker, you can do so much. Whether you do it alone or with your family, whether you make something for yourself or someone else, it's essential to find an outlet for the boredom many of us experience. Being creative can greatly help with this. Hopefully, you've found some inspiration to reduce your waste and, of course, to refresh your surroundings a bit. It'll make it a little easier to endure the lockdown a bit longer.