WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
I get what you mean about the quirks—sometimes those little imperfections in old furniture are what make them interesting. When I moved into my place, I tried upcycling a battered dresser from my parents' basement. It took way longer than expected and I had to improvise a few fixes, but now it’s my favorite piece in the house. Still, there’s something about designing exactly what you want from the ground up that’s hard to beat. Do you ever find yourself mixing both approaches in a single project, or do you usually stick to one?
It took way longer than expected and I had to improvise a few fixes, but now it’s my favorite piece in the house.
That’s honestly the trade-off I keep running into with upcycling. I appreciate the sustainability angle, but sometimes the time investment and unpredictable repairs make me question if it’s worth it. I’ve tried combining both—like building a new table but using reclaimed wood from an old barn door. It’s satisfying, but I’ll admit, the “perfect” finish is tough to achieve. There’s a certain charm in the flaws, though, even if I’m not always convinced it’s better than starting fresh.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. Upcycling can be a headache when things don’t go as planned, but there’s something about those imperfections that makes the end result feel more personal. I’ve found a little sanding and some creative patchwork can turn “flaws” into features. Sometimes it’s less about perfection and more about the story behind the piece, you know?
Sometimes it’s less about perfection and more about the story behind the piece, you know?
Totally get that. I once turned an old barn door into a coffee table—had all these scratches and dents, but honestly, those ended up being the best part. It’s like the piece has its own history, and you just add your chapter to it. Perfection’s overrated anyway...
It’s like the piece has its own history, and you just add your chapter to it.
That’s exactly how I felt when I repurposed an old ladder into a bookshelf. At first, I worried about the rough edges and paint splatters, but after a light sanding and sealing, those “imperfections” actually made it stand out. Here’s what I did: quick clean, light sand, clear coat, and just leaned it against the wall. Not perfect, but it’s got character. Sometimes building from scratch is fun, but upcycling just feels more personal.
