To recycle or not.
Upcycling: Turning rubbish into something special.
Have you ever thought about doing a tip run because you have too many old or broken things lying around at home?
Instead of throwing everything away, consider turning these discarded items into beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces for your home. In Australia right now, people are really enthusiastic about using recycled or reclaimed materials to make interesting household decorations and furniture.
Many items end up at the tip every day, and it is surprising what you can find—especially at tips near more affluent suburbs. You might even come across things that are almost brand new, which can be restored or reused with little effort.
When searching for things to reclaim, I look for unique and unusual pieces, especially rusty items. Rust has its own rich colours, and when coated with gloss varnish, it can create a vintage look that is currently very popular.
I like imagining new ways to use old bits and pieces for something completely different from their original purpose. This approach adds character to anything you create, making it truly original and a great conversation starter.
My usual method is to collect items as they are, especially things that seem unusual or interesting, or even parts of broken items. These can add creative elements to my finished projects. For example, old workshop horse benches often have metal legs that get rusty. Once these are cleaned up and varnished, they make excellent table legs. I’ve also reused old fireplace guards, brass surrounds, door knobs, candlestick holders—almost anything.
The key is not to focus too much on what the item looks like at the start; inspiration often comes later, and having the right materials on hand helps when ideas strike. Items from the tip are very affordable—much cheaper than opportunity shops, especially here in Australia, where op shop prices have increased a lot in recent years.
Sometimes, those with limited budgets can’t even afford opportunity shops anymore, especially here in Australia. The tips offer similar items but at much lower prices, so I definitely suggest having a look. Some local tips also have tip shops attached, which look much like standard secondhand shops, and some even run weekly markets.
Others might be open every day, so it's good to check with your local council or waste facility to find out the details. For anyone unsure about searching at the tip—sometimes things are a bit dirty, oily, or rusty so maybe bring an old towel to lay down in the car.
But don’t worry about getting a bit messy! Just wear enclosed shoes (no high heels), be prepared for your car to get a little dirty, and expect that you might get some curious looks from those who aren’t used to seeing newcomers hunting for treasures.
The tip is also a great place to find affordable tools, nuts, bolts, and screws, old car parts, old saw blades such as the one used on the fish below. You can often pick up large feature items for a fraction of retail prices. Sometimes, the old rust on nails and bolts actually adds to the charm of upcycled furniture, giving it more character than new, shiny hardware from a shop.
When it comes to upcycling, there really are no strict rules. If you need more inspiration, you can easily find great ideas online—try searching for terms like "recycled art," "upcycled furniture," or "DIY crafts."
There is a huge amount of information and guidance available, showing you what others have created from reclaimed materials.
One of the best feelings is finishing a unique piece and realising it looks so good, you might not want to part with it! Here’s an example from my own experience: I found an old brown wooden video/TV table.
I cut off the top, kept part of the overhanging edge, then added a padded fabric cover. I put a cushion inside, attached vintage scrapbook paper to the doors, varnished them several times, replaced the knobs, then painted two coats of white gloss.
I decorated around the old cable holes at the back and turned them into a feature instead. Now, the table is a comfortable seat with built-in storage, all for about $50.
This is the finished product below.
If you plan to seek out treasures at the tip, it’s important to get there early. The best items go quickly, especially if the tip shop only opens on certain days. There can be a crowd waiting for the doors to open, ready to rush in. A helpful trick is to bring some ‘hold for’ signs if you're going in alone; if you want an item, mark it quickly before finding a staff member. Most people will respect these signs.
A practical tip: avoid buying broken furniture unless you know how to repair it or you really want a challenge. Fixing things can end up costing both time and effort. It’s best to search for items made from solid timber.
Stay away from chipboard and cheap factory-made pieces. Using sturdy materials means tasks like sanding, painting, or adding new designs will be much easier and much more enjoyable.
The most important thing with upcycling is to keep an open mind and think creatively. Whether you want to create unique homewares, upcycle old furniture, or simply explore new DIY projects, you’ll find both the inspiration and the right supplies here.
Enjoy making something special from what others have thrown away, and bring your own artistic vision to life!
Nothing is ever too small, scrap timber can be shaped to make novelty boxes, and metal tins added to candle holders to make lollie or biscuit boxes with a difference. If you get stuck for inspiration try looking in our upcycled furniture page just click here
