UPCYCLING REMAINS A HOT TREND – HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED

Upcycling discarded furniture and giving it a new life is now much more fashionable than purchasing a brand-new characterless flat-pack furniture set.

Repurposing or upcycling old furniture and second-hand finds promises to remain one of the hottest trends for 2023. More and more DIY, crafting, and renovation enthusiasts are discovering the fun of transforming junk-shop furniture into beautiful, unique pieces for their homes.

And it is not just about fun. Repurposing or upcycling old furniture is a great way to save money, as it offers a budget-friendly solution to style your home, whilst also doing your part for the planet. By repurposing old furniture, as opposed to buying new, you lessen your carbon footprint, contribute to a circular economy, and reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

The good news is that you don’t need to be a skilled DIYer to embrace upcycling – start with a few simple projects (like painting) until you build up confidence and become savvy enough to experiment with more challenging ventures.

For those who are keen to try their hand at furniture upcycling this year, Orlando Luis, CEO of BRIGHTS Hardware, a leading independent hardware retailer, offers some advice below on how to get started, and the tools and products needed.

“Start by visiting your local second-hand shops and charity stores, or have a look on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, for second-hand furniture items that appeal to you and fit your needs. Use Pinterest to spark your creativity and fuel you with inspiration. There are no limits to what you can create,” says Luis. “If the item you wish to upcycle is wood, metal, melamine, or cane, if it has been painted many times before, or not at all, if it is veneered or even if it has seen better days and is damaged and broken – there are tools, products and techniques that can have it looking beautiful and fresh again.”

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS AND TOOLS FOR UPCYCLING

Paint stripper

“Paint stripper is a must for furniture that has multiple layers of paint on it that you wish to remove. This would be your first go-to product and can be applied to multiple surfaces to remove old paint. Just be sure to wear gloves and protective equipment as it does burn when it gets onto skin.”

Heat gun

A heat gun is brilliant for stripping off old paint and varnish from any surface, as well as stickers, vinyl adhesives etc.” advises Luis.

Orbital sander and mouse sander

“Orbital sanders and mouse sanders are also deployed to remove the final bits of paint and varnish from an item, give a beautifully smooth surface, and bring out the patina of natural wood,” advises Luis. “Orbital sanders can handle larger surface areas, whilst a mouse sander can get into small corners and the hard-to-reach angles of furniture. They can both be used on a range of surfaces including wood, metal and plastic.”

Sandpaper

“Sandpaper is always a must-have. Power tools are great for sanding but at times a bit of elbow grease is required for the fiddly areas on an upcycling project. Buy a range of grits, from rougher to smoother, to keep on hand for your projects.”

Wood glue

“Wood glue is ideal if the wooden item you are upcycling has any loose joints or connections. It dries clear and is easy to use. I would recommend that you also have a few furniture clamps in your toolkit to hold the furniture together while the glue dries,” says Luis.

Wood filler

According to Luis, wood filler is a good solution if the wooden item you are upcycling has holes from old nails or screws or any other damage you wish to smooth out. “It comes in a range of colours to match the furniture item you are renovating and can be sanded once dry to a smooth finish and painted over.

Paint spray guns

“Paint spray guns make painting furniture quick and easy! There are lots to choose from, including airless paint sprayers, and those with an air compressor,” advises Luis.

Paint brushes

“Brushes are a really important tool for upcycling furniture. Buy good ones which will make a real difference to the quality of your paintwork as they will lay down a smoother layer of paint, reducing the appearance of brush strokes.”

Paint and varnish

“Good quality paint and/or varnish is essential to finish off your upcycling project,” says Luis. “There is a vast range of paint products available on the market, and your choice would ultimately depend on the item that you are upcycling and budget.”

“Highly recommended are chalk paints, which can be used on almost every surface and come in an array of colours. For many projects you will not need to use a primer before applying the chalk paint – however, there are instances that primer may be necessary – such as wood that has been stained and varnished previously.”

“Chalk paint also does not have to be sealed afterwards; however, I would recommend a top coat so that the item is less susceptible to wear and tear and weathering.”

Luis advises that when it comes to varnish, the are several well-known brands which make an extensive range to suit all needs and applications. “Whether you need to seal a kitchen table that will get heavy usage, a chair that will live outdoors in all weather, or a decorative shelving unit – there is a product to fit any requirement.

“Other tools and supplies you may wish to have on hand are a claw hammer for removing nails and hammering in new ones, a screwdriver to tighten or replace any screws, a scraper to assist with removing paint and applying wood filler, and rags to help clean up and wipe down. These are just the basics for an effective upcycling project. More advanced upcyclers may choose to have a staple gun to assist with reupholstering, a sewing machine, a jigsaw to cut as required, a drill, a cordless screwdriver – the list is extensive, but the above will get you started,” concludes Luis.

BRIGHTS hardware stores have on-site experts in all branches, ready to provide advice and guidance on any products needed for your upcycling project.  Stores are located in Boston, Blackheath, Langebaan, Mitchells Plain, Montague Park, Plattekloof, Stonewood, Brackengate and Sunningdale. An online store shopping experience is available at www.brights.co.za which offers delivery to anywhere in South Africa. BRIGHTS offer same-day delivery in the Western Cape for products purchased online, and also has a tool hire service.