15 Upcycle Projects That Are Easy And Affordable

Looking for a list of upcycle projects that are easy, beautiful and affordable? Do you have a ton of items in your basement that are collecting dust and could be upcycled into something useful and functional? Well then, that’s perfect because we have a list of upcycle projects that meet all of those requirements.

When it comes to upcycling projects, you have to be willing to just put your thinking cap on and think of ways to breathe new life into old belongings.

Sometimes, that means using it for a purpose it wasn’t originally designed for by simply adding a tweak or two.

What I love about upcycled projects, like this collection of plastic drawers, is that they teach us the beauty of being sentimental and creative.

Nowadays, the minute we want something new, we’re willing to throw money we don’t have on items we could have made ourselves if we just took the time to search for ideas.

But, you’re here! This means that you’re one step ahead of the curve and now all you need to do is choose any of the cool and catchy projects below.

Easy & Affordable Upcycling Projects

1. Upcycle Used Plastic Bottles In Beautiful Lanterns

Project via ohohdeco

Don’t dispose of your old plastic bottles, cut them up, grab those old Christmas lights and transform them into these beautiful lamps.

2. Upcycle Old Tires Into Colorful Tyrochairs

Project via inhabitat

Tires have a base that is bouncy and relatively soft in comparison to wood, plastic, or steel. In this case, you can swap out your old tires and turn them into these comfortable chic-looking tyro chairs.

3. Repurpose Lampshades Into Stunning Vases

Project via thehousethatlarsbuilt

This may be my favorite upcycle project on this list because of how elegant the end product looks. You wouldn’t ever say that these are upcycled from old lampshades.

Just remove and unscrew the inner light holder and cable, clean them out, decorate them with flashy pastel colors, and then show off your beautiful flowers.

4. Old Ladder Into Shelf

Project via HGTV

For all you massive book lovers out there who don’t want to eat into the available floor space in your room, this upcycled ladder to a stylish shelf is exactly what you should look into.

5. No-Sew Zipper Cases from Plastic Bottles

Project via makeit-loveit

It’s quite surprising how we can reuse plastic bottles in so many creative ways. In this case, you can transform them into the perfect stationery holders with zips that don’t require you to sew at all.

It’s a fun upcycle project that shouldn’t take you more than an hour to complete.

6. Upcycled Backpack Vintage Door

Project via craft-o-maniac

Don’t throw away that old door you have, give it a makeover and install it on your foyer wall as a decorative piece that functions as a door or coat hanger!

7.  Upcycled Broken Chair For Your Bathroom

Project via prodigalpieces

Most wooden dining chairs are designed with a lot of love and attention to detail. The grooves and shapes of each corner are carefully crafted.

So, when it breaks, it sucks to get rid of it, especially knowing that you can’t get a replacement.

However, if you’re willing to convert it into the ideal bathroom shelf, then you can have something special on your hands.

8. Upcycled Suitcase Into Coffee Table

Project via diynetwork

I’ve featured quite a selection of DIY coffee tables on this blog and they almost always cost money until I stumbled on this project.

Not only is it affordable but it’s one of the most unique ideas I’ve seen that looks arty and not like an actual upcycled affordable item.

9. Mason Jar Pendant Lights

Project via diyprojects

Mason jars are one of the most universally used items in the world of DIY and crafts. They’re extremely versatile, easy to find, cheap, and last a long time.

This pendant light is just one of the many beautiful ways in which you can turn a mason jar into a functional and decorative piece for your home.

10. Old Chest of Drawers

I have to admit that this looks stunning. The thought and creativity that went into designing this upcycle project are undeniable.

With the pristine and shiny base and handles, everything comes together in perfect harmony with this stunning piece.

11. Lightbulbs Into Oil Lamps

Project via lookslikegooddesign

Light bulbs have the propensity of losing their functionality every few months to a year. I used to throw them away until I started this site.

I’ve created a mini terrarium in a light bulb, used it as a decorative piece in the garden, and now turned them into oil lamps.

12. Old TV Into Aquarium

Project via ratemyfishtank

As a kid, I used to sit in front of a TV very much like this and play a ton of TV games that had just been released around that time.

The old days were golden and both my mum and I found it hard to part with it when they became obsolete. And then I stumbled on this upcycled project and fell in love with it.

So much so that I’m in the market for a TV just like this to create this aquarium.

13. DIY Three-Tiered Stand – From Baking Tins

Project via grillo-designs.

I know that baking tins stacked like a cake is not completely out of the norm but to see this one being used as a storage stand threw me for a curveball.

It works and looks good. In a unique and smart kind of way. I like it!

14. Convert Tennis Rackets Into Mirrors

Project via countryliving

I can almost guarantee that you’re not going to find a lot of people who have mirrors that are as awesome as these. I feel like almost everyone has an old tennis racket in the basement, I know I do, that can easily be transformed into a decorative mirror.

Dust it out and honor them with some pride.

15. Bowlers Into Lamps

Project via grahamandgreen

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier, it just did! The last thing that ever crossed my mind was to see bowlers upcycled into anything.

And yet, here we are. Not only have they been used as something that can be shown off in your home but they’re functional as light bases. How annoyingly cool!

Related Posts:

What To Do With Old Towels? (Recycling Ideas)

What To Do With Old Pillows? (9 Solutions)

Wrapping It Up

You don’t need to doll out big bags of cash to make cool things or upgrade your home.

Some amazing upcycle projects will save you money and add some useful decorative items to your home.

You just need to be willing to have some fun and play around with your creative juices.

Before you leave, be sure to share this collection of upcycle projects or let us know of any ideas you have in the comment section below.