How to Recycle Furniture Because It’s Expensive
Recycled furniture can add originality to your space by keeping the furniture out of the landfill – a real win-win, especially if you remember how expensive it is to buy new furniture and how much of it is not designed to last unless you do. willing to pay big money. (And maybe even then …) If you choose the recycling route, you can save money by finding furniture anywhere and figuring out how to make it work in your space. Here are some tips to get you started on your recycling adventure.
Where to Find Rescue Furniture
You will often notice unnecessary but still working fine furniture along with the rubbish or left on the street. This might be a real way to find salvage items, but personally I would skip the curb couches or anything with a lot of pillows – it’s best to know as much as possible about where your soft, upholstered items come from. Neighborhood-free groups, yard and estate sales, thrift stores, and your own garage are all places to look for potential candidates. Solid wood or metal furniture is a good choice as pressed board and composites break more easily and are more difficult to retrofit. Imagination and the ability to see the potential in what is in front of you are necessary to choose what you need, but do not be afraid to make mistakes in terms of practicality – if it takes longer to complete the project. better than you can actually achieve, leave that to someone more hardworking.
Start small
If reworking or restoring an entire piece of furniture seems like an ambitious task to you, try starting with a simple upholstery project. If you have a worn headboard or a shabby dining chair that you want to salvage, this is a good project to start with. These jobs require cloth, batting, a stapler, and maybe a few other simple tools, but they don’t require a lot of building to complete. When replacing upholstery, the first step is to remove the old fabric using a staple remover (or flat-blade screwdriver) and pliers. If you are working with a chair seat, you need to first remove the seat by unscrewing it from the bottom. If it’s a headboard, remove it from the bed. Then stretch a new layer of batting evenly over the surface, wrap it around the back and attach with staples. Once the batting is in place, take a new piece of upholstery and fold the back or bottom edge under it. Attach it to the bottom or back of the garment, starting in the middle and gradually working towards the edges, smoothing out the folds as you go. Repeat this step along the opposite edge and then along the sides. Finally, make the corners in the “hospital corner” as if you were doing it on a sheet, and attach those too. Trim off excess fabric in the corners if it looks too bulky.
Change your equipment
It’s amazing what a new set of pens or drawers can do for an item, and it’s arguably the simplest upgrade out there. Look for hardware that matches the existing numbered holes in your furniture so that you don’t have a bunch of visible holes that you need to patch up. This goes beyond drawers: some sofas, chairs, dressers and sideboards have legs that screw in from the bottom. If they are scratched or look outdated, you can replace them with something new. If you are not sure about the size, take your old equipment to a comparison store, or shop online at sites that offer a range of customized replacements. Speaking of which …
Add new legs
Old desks and tables with damaged or missing legs can be salvaged by replacing them. It is unlikely that you will find an exact match for the leg you want to replace, so it is usually a good idea to replace them all at once. If the legs are screwed in from the bottom, you can simply unscrew them (phew). Some legs will have brackets or other hardware to hold them in place, but you can get new brackets for a new leg that you decide to add if the old ones don’t fit. You can buy ready-made legs or, if you have tools, make your own. New legs can also give a modern look to an older product.
Fresh paint coat
You can breathe new life into a piece of furniture by sanding and painting it. Sand the old uneven surface first until the furniture is smooth. Wipe it with a damp cloth, then paint or polish. Be sure to apply paint as evenly as possible to keep the surface smooth. If you experience a sudden change in color, it is recommended that you prime the product first to ensure an even layer.
Turn the shelf into a closet
An old bookcase can be easily converted into a bookcase by adding doors to the front. Old shutters or kitchen cabinet doors can be repurposed – or, if you have the skills and tools, you can build to size. All you need to attach the doors is a screwdriver and hinges. First, attach one side of the cabinet hinges to the inside of the door. Then open the hinges and align the door against you in the open position. Attach cabinet hinges to the edge of the shelf with the door open and align. You can place the bottom edge of the door on a gasket or piece of wood to keep it flat. Add a magnetic cabinet lock to keep the doors closed. Finish your piece with a suitable paint to bring it all together.
Use your imagination
Older furniture can be repurposed in different ways; the only real rule of thumb is to check for lead and mold before bringing the item into your home. Reducing waste while saving money is almost as good as home furnishings (which is expensive). Be creative and bring your own style to unique reworked treasures.