Making old things look like new
Making old things look like new
If items you own are broken or looking a bit sorry for themselves it is time to take stock. It only makes you miserable seeing your stuff look worn down and past its prime.
Bin the irretrievably ‘done for’ items and see what you can do to spruce and fix those other things up. Better to have fewer things that are fab than lots of stuff that looks rubbish ( I would advise applying this to clothes in particular.)
It’s always wise to have in your home the items you need to fix things before they are broken beyond repair. So spare buttons, needle and thread, sellotape, wood glue, superglue and a basic tool kit, stain remover, hemming web, to name but a few are all useful tools to fix things that are broken or stained before these problems get worse.
Kid’s board games are a prime example of why you should ‘fix it quick.’ A slight rip is easily repaired with sellotape. If not repaired that rip becomes a totally broken box, then pieces get lost and the game gets spoilt.
Making old things new again is also a good mantra for those on a budget, new knobs can transform a chest or drawers, a lick of paint can work wonders as can varnish. New buttons can update a jacket, making shorts out of jeans, repurposing an old pair of tights to a cuddly toy or simply dry cleaning a sorry looking suit. Old things can be made new again.
Have a look at all my upcycling posts to be inspired – I have collections on Pinterest on how to upcycle suitcases, teacups, bikes, fallen trees, even boats should you happen to have one lying around! Why not follow my board….
Follow Becky Goddard-Hill’s board Upcycling on Pinterest.
You mihgt also like my post on how to upcycle bikes
You’re spot on there about fixing things as soon as they break. I try and do this and I’m often found with a needle and thread or a bit of sticky tape fixing something whilst the children are still trying to play with it! I think it’s a bit of an old fashioned mentality too though where people really valued their possessions and took care of them rather than just thinking of them as disposable assets.