Make It New Again with Upcycling

Upcycling. It’s not a new form of exercise — it’s the very hip, green practice of turning something old into something new. Wood pallets are a common example. You’ve probably seen them upcycled into everything from tables and beds to kitchen cabinets.

Almost anything in your home can be given a new life, which not only keeps more money in your pocket but also reduces the amount of trash that goes to the curb. At Musselman’s, for example, we use empty apple sauce cups to hold paper clips, start seeds, or corral messy art supplies.

Upcycling is a great project for families because anything goes. The more flexible and creative you are, the greater the possibilities. Encourage your kids to look at the “junk” in your house with a new eye. That junk just might be treasure in disguise. Below are just a few ideas to get you started.

Repurpose an old door, shutters or some other architectural find into a headboard. Lay an old door on top of two small filing cabinets, and you’ve got an instant desk.

Cut a globe in half, turn it upside down, and create a lamp shade for your geography-obsessed child. In a country kitchen, old cheese graters or even a vintage biscuit tin can double as a lamp shade.

Make a mini-greenhouse out of the plastic container your take out food comes in. Just add a layer of dirt, water it, and plant a few seeds (herbs work really well). Then watch as they sprout and grow.

Canning jars and other empty glass containers have endless purposes. Try placing votive candles in jars to add instant romance to a garden or mantle. Fill them with candy, homemade hot fudge sauce, or jam for a simple gift. In the office, glass jars can store everything from paper clips to staples.

At Musselman’s, we’re committed to supporting healthy families — and upcycling is just one way to bring families together to create a healthy environment. What upcycling projects have you tried at home? Let us know on Facebook!