Creative Solutions for Small Spaces: Upcycling Ideas to Style Your Home

Small spaces are a dream to work on since you don't need to exert too much effort or add many elements to make a room look great. What's more, designing a small space can be more affordable since you’ll need less furniture and decorative items to fill it. According to Home Advisor, the average cost to furnish a studio or one-bedroom apartment starts at around $3,500, and the total varies depending on the level of furnishings that you choose. 

 

Decorating your place with brand new items can certainly make your home feel special. But if you want to save some money, consider upcycling to style your small space. By giving new life to discarded materials, you can create a cozy and cohesive look for your interiors without breaking the bank. Here are some upcycling ideas to style your home. 

Use Leftover Tiles to Refresh an Old Table

Small spaces can be maximized by bringing in texture, and one way to do so is by adding decorative tiles to a room. Try making an accent tile wall in your living room, or make an inlaid tile rug on your kitchen floor to create some visual interest. Got some leftover tiles? Use them to refresh an old table. You can use any type of tile, but smooth and colorful ceramic tiles would be best for this upcycling project. If you prefer a rustic look, go with stone or wood-look tiles. 

 

A small, rectangular coffee table would be ideal for this project, and you can start by laying out the tiles on the table to make your design, then see if you need to make any cuts before gluing down all the pieces. Once you're satisfied with the way everything looks, wipe the table down to remove dirt and grime, then apply tile adhesive to the tabletop. Place the tiles on the table, and adjust the spacing as you go. Let the adhesive dry, then apply grouting. Practice regular tile upkeep by wiping spills immediately, and spot clean tough stains with a paste made from baking soda and water.

Turn a Wooden Ladder into a Bookshelf

Don't have room for a bookcase in your small apartment? Why not turn a wooden ladder into a bookshelf instead? It's a practical way to use an old item while adding charm and personality to a small room, and it won't take up any valuable floor space. For this upcycling project, you'll be installing the ladder horizontally on your wall, so you'll need to measure from the ceiling to determine where you'd like to hang the ladder. Then, plan on adding brackets to your wall since these will hold the ladder in place. Drill holes for the brackets, then screw them into the wall. Next, place the ladder between the brackets and screw it in place. Fill it with books and a few decorative items, making sure that the weight is distributed evenly throughout the length of the ladder. 

Alternatively, you can also lean a ladder against a wall and use that as a bookshelf if you don't want to drill holes into your apartment. Just drill holes onto the steps, add a plank on each step, and screw them in place to create stable bases for your books. Fill your DIY shelf with books and a few small succulents for decoration, then add some LED or fairy lights for illumination. 

Upcycle Pallets into Furniture

One way to make a small space look larger is to fill it with furniture that sits low to the ground. Instead of buying new furniture though, consider upcycling wooden pallets to make them into a bed or a low couch. For instance, you can join several pallets to make a Japanese-style platform bed. Just add a headboard made from reclaimed wood, then a soft mattress for comfort. You can also make a DIY pallet couch by tying pallets with some strong rope, or use a drill and some screws so that the pallets will hold their shape. Add colorful cushions and throw pillows to make your couch more comfy and inviting. Don't forget to place a rug underneath your upcycled couch for added texture. 

The right furnishings can make your space look larger and more inviting. Consider these DIY ideas to enhance your small space with upcycled items, and create an awesome haven without spending a fortune.