18 Dec 2021

Do you have some free time coming up and want to use it productively? A great way to spend your free time is on a DIY project, and for many people, there is nothing better than getting stuck into something that relies on your hands and creative mind.

DIY projects do not have to cost a lot to get underway, and one of the most popular kinds of projects these days is upcycling. You will most likely have materials around the home that can be used in this new project, but if not, they will be inexpensive to get.

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With some free time and a small budget, you can take on one (or multiple) of the following 10 DIY upcycling projects:

  • Pallet Table

Pallets are often the centerpieces of any upcycling or trash to treasure DIY project, and there is a good reason for that. Pallets are accessible, cheap, and highly versatile when you have a creative mind. It is sometimes possible to get pallets for free when they are leftover in businesses, but if not, they can be purchased for very little. 

Wooden pallets can be used in a range of DIY projects for the home and garden, but one of the best is a pallet table. You can make a small coffee table simply using this kind of wood, and it can fit into a range of homes with a rugged, industrial design.

  • Ladder Bookshelf

You are likely to have at least one set of old, wooden ladders rotting away in the garage or basement. Instead of throwing them away or letting them rot any further, you can instead transform them into an attractive and functional bookshelf.

Ladder bookshelves can have a rugged look, or you can paint them to make them appear more modern and sleek. The options are endless, and they can be easily installed onto the wall and offer a lot of storage.

  • Bathtub Couch

This project may not be for everyone, but it certainly makes a unique centerpiece for your home and will be a talking point for all visitors. 

You can get a bathtub for this trash to treasure project cheaply on sites like Craigslist or eBay. Check out your local scrap yards also to see if they have anything on offer. 

To make the couch, cut off a portion of the walls of the bathtub and refinish the exterior to make it fit in with your home. Stuff the bottom of the tub with cushions and decorate as you see fit.

  • Bicycle Garden

Bikes can get passed down through generations, and it is easy for them to get thrown into storage without seeing the light of day again. Whether you have a vintage bike in the garage or old children’s bikes left in the basement, this DIY project will work and can improve your garden.

Even if the bike cannot be ridden again, you can update the appearance with some spray paints and install a basket for flowers to the front.

  • Skateboard Chair

Regardless of what kind of adults they grow up to be, almost all kids have owned a skateboard at some point. What may have only been used once or twice during the summer break of their younger years can be used for something better.

Old skateboards can be upcycled to become wooden chairs for the garden. You can paint them for a sleek appearance or leave them rugged to show where they came from.

  • Dresser Drawer Shelf

Dressers can be used in a range of DIY projects, but one of the easiest focuses on the drawers. If the drawers are still intact, such as in a vintage wooden dresser, simply remove them and install them onto the wall as a shelf.

This can be a cheap and attractive way to add more storage to living areas or bathrooms. Add some décor items to finish.

  • Suitcase Side Table

Vintage suitcases are a popular sight to see in the upcycling world these days because they have a lot of charm. While you can buy an old suitcase from vintage markets or thrift stores, check out the attic at home first because you might be surprised at what you find.

One of the easiest ways to upcycle an old suitcase is to turn it into a side table. They have the bonus of secret interior storage so you can always keep your home tidy and fashionable.

  • Door Picture Frame

If you are upgrading the doors in your home, do not throw the old doors into the trash as they can be used again. 

If you like the rugged, homely appearance, then you can make a centerpiece on the wall using the old door as a frame for various family pictures. You can paint the wood to make it appear sleek or leave it cracked for a more rugged appearance.

  • Bed Frame Planter

Wooden bed frames do not last a long time, but when the end of the life comes for your bed frame, do not throw it out. 

You can reuse the wood to make planters for your garden of varying sizes and purposes. 

  • Spool Centre Table

Wooden spools can be purchased cheaply online, and there are many DIY ideas for making them into a table. Sometimes, all they need is a lick of paint, and you have a new center table!