In this Upcycled Chair Spa Towel Rack tutorial, I transform a broken antique chair into a wall-mounted towel holder with a spa-themed decal made on my Cricut. The idea came from a very real problem—our two cheeky Jack Russell terriers kept stealing the spa towels from the steps and turning them into tug-of-war ropes. While I plan a pergola, this quick project keeps towels tidy, dry, and off the ground.
While scrolling through my local buy/sell site, I spotted a charming old desk for just $20. I imagined restoring it and giving it a new lease of life. But when I arrived to collect it, I was disappointed. Someone had already taken to it with an extreme shabby chic makeover, deep distressing and layers of chalk paint. Restoring it would have taken hours of sanding.
So I pivoted. Instead of restoring it, I repurposed it into something practical and fun. My great-niece visits often and loves playing in the sand, but dislikes sitting in the sandpit because sand sneaks into her nappy. That’s when the idea struck: a stand-up sandpit table made from a vintage desk.
This chaise lounge, made entirely from recycled materials, was inspired by a friend’s request. When she asked if I could build one, I doubted I had the skills to pull it off. I can’t work from plans—I only make projects up as I go. That’s why I choose recycled materials: if the build fails, I haven’t lost any money. Amazingly, it turned out so well that it now takes pride of place in my front-room window.
I had seen a repurposed piano on Pinterest and immediately knew I had to try one myself. But instead of a desk or bookshelf, I decided mine would become a Piano bar/Drinks cabinet. After spotting an upright piano on Facebook Marketplace for $120, I jumped at the chance. In hindsight, that was steep—many people give them away if you’re willing to collect. Like all my projects, I wanted to make this one truly my own.
While cleaning my workshop, I found a lovely timber panel from an old piano I’d turned into a bar. It was too pretty to toss. I turned it into a DIY kitchen sign. It’s a reclaimed-wood wall organiser with a chalkboard message board, tea-towel hooks, a key rack and a small clock. It keeps everyday bits in one place and adds warm, upcycled character to the kitchen.
I turned a pile of old kitchen cupboard doors into a modern, stain-finished timber headboard—an upcycled build that looks custom. My sister wanted a headboard for her granddaughter’s room at her place, but she didn’t want it painted. She needed a piece she could dress with playful kids’ bedding, yet still feel right for adult guests.
I’m always on the hunt for free furniture to upcycle, and this old study desk was perfect for a DIY LEGO desk and activity table with storage. My plan was simple: cut the desk to toddler height, reinforce the frame, turn the drawer fronts into LEGO-style bricks, and keep the top flexible so it works for building, drawing, and crafting.
I’ve always admired Marilyn Monroe’s timeless style and wanted to try decoupage on furniture. When a friend passed on this vintage‑style dresser—worn, with peeling veneers and dated colours—it was the perfect candidate for a makeover. As part of this month’s International Bloggers Club(IBC) Painted” Furniflips” challenge, I’ve refreshed it with sleek black and copper paint and added Marilyn‑themed decoupage, giving it a modern look that’s ready to sell.
DIY Upcycled Toddler Craft Table with Storage turned an old veneer table into an art station that my great‑niece loves. The craft desk offers a dedicated spot for all her art supplies, keeping the mess contained in one area. A built‑in kraft paper roll lets her draw or paint, then tear off the used sheet for a fresh canvas. I also added a whiteboard for her felt‑pen sketches and a play‑dough station that keeps squishy dough off the carpet.
Old study desks seem to have lost their charm in today’s market—they’re bulky, outdated, and often hard to sell. But with a little creativity, they can be turned into something both beautiful and practical. When my daughter recently bought herself a “beauty bar” (as they’re commonly called here in Australia), it sparked an idea. I had an old desk sitting in storage, and rather than let it go to waste, I decided to give it a new life. In this post, How to Repurpose an Old Desk into a Makeup Table/Vanity Table, I’ll show you how I transformed that tired old piece into a stylish and functional vanity that neatly stores all your beauty products in one organised space.
Transforming a tired piece of furniture into something beautiful can be highly rewarding, and that’s exactly what inspired our DIY Chalk Paint Vanity Makeover with Wallpaper Drawer Accents. A friend asked me to breathe new life into a small vanity that was missing its mirror and had a broken drawer knob.
The Rustic DIY Beer Trough Table with Built‑In Ice Cooler transforms a battered tabletop into a stunning outdoor centrepiece. It eliminates constant fridge runs, letting guests serve themselves cold drinks and enjoy every moment of the party. The generous ice trough doubles as a cooler and conversation starter, creating a relaxed, festive atmosphere for family gatherings. Everyone can grab a drink without missing out on laughter or conversations.
