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In today’s environmental crisis and climate change, upcycling is one of the smartest things to do to help lessen your carbon footprint. It’s valuable to know how to use tools like a nail and saw if you’re interested in upcycling. In fact, there are many easy DIY projects that even a beginner can do. You’ll be amazed at how little modifications, paint, and a huge imagination can make.

Transforming old home decorations and furniture can be a lucrative pastime for you. If you love doing DIY and are always on the hunt for things to upcycle, then you may as well open an online shop and sell your creations there. It’s a great extra source of income, and frankly, anyone can use a side gig or two.

Here are some creative ways you can upcycle your old stuff and give them a new life.

Jar Lanterns

One of the simplest and easiest DIYs often involve old mason jars. If you happen to have a couple or several jars you don’t use anymore, you can transform them into other things, including an outdoor jar lantern.

If you’ve ever felt that your patio or garden lighting needs something more, strategically placed mason jar lanterns may just be the extra oomph you didn’t know you needed.

You can use decorative pebbles to put something inside or diffuse the light and hang it up with a wire to make it a little sturdier. You can use real candles, LED lights, or string lights to light up your outdoor space.

Chic Nature Mirror

Statement pieces are known for being bold, and they can upgrade a room’s look. You can easily transform everyday objects like mirrors into something grander and by using what nature has already provided. Make a starburst mirror by using twigs, glue, and some paint.

Depending on your aesthetic, you can leave the twigs as they are for that rustic look. You can smoothen the twigs a little and paint them the same color as the mirror’s frame is to make the look more cohesive. You can also use wooden dowels if you already have them. The point is to upcycle and not buy when you’re creating something.

Decorative Vintage Teacup Candles

Do you have fine teacup sets that you don’t use anymore because they’re either not part of a matched set or they’re worn from wear? You can give them a second purpose by turning them into candles.

The great thing about this is that it’s two DIY projects in one: upcycling and candle making. You may use teacups bought from thrift stores, and the end products can be given away as presents.

They also make inexpensive tabletop decorations for both indoors and outdoors. Making one is fairly easy, and here you’ll see a step-by-step instruction. If you make the candles from scratch, you can also personalize them with your favorite scent!

Old Newspapers, Papers, and Maps as Wrappers

Have a present you need to wrap but no gift bag or wrapping paper in sight? Old newspapers, papers, and maps can work in a pinch. Objects wrapped in vintage papers look aesthetically pleasing, and you extend their life as well. Apart from gifts, these old supplies may be used to wrap cardboard boxes, notebooks, journals, and many more.

Reclaimed Wood Shelf

If you have broken-down furniture, use the widest part as a shelf. There are many ways to build a shelf. You can hang it for decorative reasons, put it up against a wall for storing books and trinkets, or use it as a bathtub tray.

Make sure to smoothen the edges of the wood. You can also stain the wood or repaint it according to preference.

Interesting Furniture Parts Can Be Wall Art

Depending on what you have, you can turn old furniture and decorations into any wall art that you want. For example, your accidental collection of vintage spoons can be framed and displayed in the kitchen or the dining room. A vintage bicycle can be prettified, repainted, and hung on a white wall as a statement art. It all depends on your imagination, so be creative.