Recycle and Upcycle – Decorating Sustainably With Vintage and Reupholstered Furniture
Buying pre-owned, antique or vintage furniture is on trend and sustainable! Whether you are moving out of home for the first time or just need to replace that dingy old dining set, upcycling or purchasing pre-owned furniture is not only kinder on our environment but opens opportunities to enjoy the challenge of finding that perfect piece, and to express a unique style in your home.
But where do I get recycled furniture from?
The simplest place to go is to trawl Facebook Marketplace for any local deals. People are constantly posting their no longer needed goods, often for an incredible price.
Another great place to look is on Instagram. There are many vintage stores and upcycled furniture businesses that sell updated and reupholstered furniture. Check out Angelucci 20th Century for incredible upcycled European, mid-century designs.
There are also countless Australian vintage, antique and furniture markets full of stalls with many hidden gems. Some favourites include The Mill Markets in Geelong, Ballarat and Daylesford VIC, Waverley Antique Bazaar in Clayton VIC, the Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre in Alexandrina NSW and the Wayville Vintage Market in Adelaide. Take a weekend to discover what’s around your local area!
But how do you upcycle furniture so that it looks stylish and modern? It’s easier than you’d think.
1. Paint it: One of the easiest ways to upcycle furniture is to simply give it a new coat of paint. You can either go for a bold, vibrant colour or a more neutral shade. Either way, painting furniture is a quick and easy way to transform its look. Just make sure you prep your base and sand down any wood to ensure a smooth application.
2. Decorate it: Another way to upcycle furniture is to decorate it with fun accessories. For example, you could add new knobs or pulls to a dresser, add new legs to a sofa, or modernise an old frame with a new piece of art. By adding your own personal touch, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture.
3. Distress it: If you want your upcycled furniture to have a more rustic look, then distressing it is the way to go. You can distress furniture by sanding down the edges or using a wood stain. This will give your furniture an aged look that is perfect for creating a shabby-chic style.
For those who like a bit of quirky humour alongside reupholstering and furniture updating tips, check our Clinton Avery Tharpe on Instagram and Tik Tok. His posts document his experience as a professional vintage furniture flipper, and goes into detail about how he styles and stages his updated furniture to sell. He offers handy tips and insights, as well as a touch of fun and whimsy!
Upcycling and seeking out old furniture is not a new concept, but is an inexpensive and sustainable way to update your interior and add interest to any room. Get upcycling, and breathe new life into your favourite furniture pieces.
By Sarah Panther
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