10 Impressive Upcycling Projects for the Bedroom
Swap the beach for the wrecking yard this weekend and decorate your room with your upcycled triumphs
If your New Year’s resolution is to learn the skills to finally start those creative projects in your home, the bedroom is a great place to cut your teeth before bringing your freshly honed knowledge into the living room. There are so many ways to repurpose salvaged and vintage pieces to create a unique and indulgent space. One person’s junk is certainly another person’s treasure when it comes to upcycling, so take inspiration from these creative bedrooms and plan your next project.
2. Accessorise with reclaimed finds
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in the bedroom, this is where you can go to town and experiment with some creative styling ideas. I love this simple but effective use of old bottles to hold different coloured candles. You could also install a salvaged cast iron fireplace or simply make a shelf from reclaimed timber.
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in the bedroom, this is where you can go to town and experiment with some creative styling ideas. I love this simple but effective use of old bottles to hold different coloured candles. You could also install a salvaged cast iron fireplace or simply make a shelf from reclaimed timber.
3. Make your own lampshade
Once you learn how to make your own simple drum shade, you’ll never buy one again. There are countless guides on the internet, or try a local workshop. A lamp base from a charity shop can be given a whole new lease of life and, with so many fabrics to choose from, your lampshade will be unique.
Once you learn how to make your own simple drum shade, you’ll never buy one again. There are countless guides on the internet, or try a local workshop. A lamp base from a charity shop can be given a whole new lease of life and, with so many fabrics to choose from, your lampshade will be unique.
4. Repurpose furniture
This bedside table was originally intended for sheet music, which goes to show that furniture can be used anywhere in the house, not just where it’s ‘supposed’ to be used. So think beyond the standard arrangement of wardrobe, bedside table and chest of drawers. What about using a sideboard in the bedroom, an old shop unit for shoes and bags, or a vintage desk as a vanity?
This bedside table was originally intended for sheet music, which goes to show that furniture can be used anywhere in the house, not just where it’s ‘supposed’ to be used. So think beyond the standard arrangement of wardrobe, bedside table and chest of drawers. What about using a sideboard in the bedroom, an old shop unit for shoes and bags, or a vintage desk as a vanity?
5. Wake up to granny chic
If you prefer to keep walls plain and simple, add interest with a colourful bedspread instead. The crocheted ‘granny’ blanket is a perennial favourite, so if you spot one in a charity shop, snap it up. If your New Year’s resolution is to learn a new craft, this could be a great beginner’s project to aim for. With an attractive end goal like this, you’re more likely to stick to your resolution, too.
If you prefer to keep walls plain and simple, add interest with a colourful bedspread instead. The crocheted ‘granny’ blanket is a perennial favourite, so if you spot one in a charity shop, snap it up. If your New Year’s resolution is to learn a new craft, this could be a great beginner’s project to aim for. With an attractive end goal like this, you’re more likely to stick to your resolution, too.
6. Improvise a bedside table
Old suitcases can easily be painted to tie in with your scheme. For a serene, shabby chic look, a chalky white matt finish is perfect. Alternatively, rather than stacking them up, fit legs to a single small suitcase instead.
Check out more ideas for unusual bedside tables
Old suitcases can easily be painted to tie in with your scheme. For a serene, shabby chic look, a chalky white matt finish is perfect. Alternatively, rather than stacking them up, fit legs to a single small suitcase instead.
Check out more ideas for unusual bedside tables
7. Create DIY artwork
If a feature wall is too much for you, make a focal point above the bed by turning junk into artwork. Old metal grilles can look amazing revived with a few coats of metallic spray paint, or go for three different block colours instead. Alternatively, make a display from old picture or window frames. They’ll look great on their own, so there’s no need to add pictures.
Discover how to curate your own art gallery at home
If a feature wall is too much for you, make a focal point above the bed by turning junk into artwork. Old metal grilles can look amazing revived with a few coats of metallic spray paint, or go for three different block colours instead. Alternatively, make a display from old picture or window frames. They’ll look great on their own, so there’s no need to add pictures.
Discover how to curate your own art gallery at home
8. Consider a tiled wall
Tiled walls don’t have to be confined to the kitchen or bathroom, so why not start collecting reclaimed tiles to make a stunning textured feature wall? I’d stick to one wall behind the bed and use larger tiles to make this work. Mix patterns for interest, but pick tiles in similar tones to give the feature some cohesion and prevent a mishmash. Let the tones dictate the rest of your scheme for a considered look.
Tiled walls don’t have to be confined to the kitchen or bathroom, so why not start collecting reclaimed tiles to make a stunning textured feature wall? I’d stick to one wall behind the bed and use larger tiles to make this work. Mix patterns for interest, but pick tiles in similar tones to give the feature some cohesion and prevent a mishmash. Let the tones dictate the rest of your scheme for a considered look.
9. Revamp a vintage mirror
If everything seems to be happening on one side of the room – perhaps with an ornate bed and feature wall – balance it out with a vintage mirror propped on the floor opposite. The bigger the better as far as I’m concerned – as long as it fits through the door! You could also repaint the frame in a bright shade for an instant update.
If everything seems to be happening on one side of the room – perhaps with an ornate bed and feature wall – balance it out with a vintage mirror propped on the floor opposite. The bigger the better as far as I’m concerned – as long as it fits through the door! You could also repaint the frame in a bright shade for an instant update.
10. Personalise a chest of drawers
One thing you’ll find in abundance at vintage fairs and secondhand furniture shops is the ubiquitous chest of drawers. Why pay hundreds in a department store for something new when you can pick up a decent secondhand piece of furniture for much less and personalise it with your own design?
There are so many options: choose a flag from a country you’ve visited, stencil a design up one side, opt for decoupage, or go for a distressed paint effect. If painting the whole thing seems too time consuming, just paint the drawer fronts and strip the rest back to the natural timber.
TELL US
Please share your bedroom upcycling ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
10 Upcycling Projects to Turn Your Trash Into Treasure
Weekend Project: 9 Household Items Begging to Be Upcycled
Upcycle Your Cast-Offs for a Brand New Look
One thing you’ll find in abundance at vintage fairs and secondhand furniture shops is the ubiquitous chest of drawers. Why pay hundreds in a department store for something new when you can pick up a decent secondhand piece of furniture for much less and personalise it with your own design?
There are so many options: choose a flag from a country you’ve visited, stencil a design up one side, opt for decoupage, or go for a distressed paint effect. If painting the whole thing seems too time consuming, just paint the drawer fronts and strip the rest back to the natural timber.
TELL US
Please share your bedroom upcycling ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
10 Upcycling Projects to Turn Your Trash Into Treasure
Weekend Project: 9 Household Items Begging to Be Upcycled
Upcycle Your Cast-Offs for a Brand New Look
Scouring the salvage yard can sometimes uncover beautiful ornate doors of all shapes and sizes, which can have so many other uses, including being an alternative bed head. You could opt for two doors side by side, a grand church door, shutters or even a decorated folding screen to slot behind your bed. And when you fancy a change and want to redecorate, you can always repaint it.