Join us in creating a more significant environmental impact by entering the Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North ReStore Upcycle Challenge! If you heard about the contest but are unsure what upcycling is, where to start or even why to bother, read for inspiration below!

What is Upcycling?

It’s a process where imagination and creativity meet our desire for environmental impact. With a fresh coat of paint, some new hardware, an old cabinet, table or chair can get new life as something fresh and unique and be spared from the landfill.

UpcycleThat.com defines upcycling as “The act of taking something no longer in use and giving it a second life and new function. In doing so, the finished product often becomes more practical, valuable and beautiful than previously.” The blog also has some great ideas to inspire you; check it out!

Why upcycle?

An article in Earthhero.com says how “the process of upcycling keeps tons of waste from entering our landfills, lakes, and waterways, and it reduces the amount of CO2 entering our atmosphere by making use of old materials instead of extracting resources to create new ones.”

Upcycling can also be a great way to save money and have fun! Why buy a brand new rattan lamp shade when you can make your own for a fraction of the cost? Check out this video below:

Tips

Did you ever want to paint an old piece of furniture or a wall in your home but felt overwhelmed? The blog, Anyone Can Paint Like A Professional If They Know The Right Hacks, by Areeba T., has some handy inside tips to get you started!

Jenny’s blog How to Paint Furniture: The 5 Most Important Tips has valuable painting tips as well. She says she has “finished over a hundred pieces, used a variety of different types of paints and styles of finishes,” and has made her fair share of mistakes along the way.

To save time, check out 10 Common Mistakes When Painting Wood Furniture by Serena Appiah and her website ThriftDiving.com for more inspiration.

Inspiration

Check out this upcycle project that used frames from a Canadian ReStore.

Sarah Teresinski has so many great ideas! Check out one of her videos on 'Porch Upcycling Hacks" below, or follow her on Instagram (@redeux_style) and Facebook for some amazing ideas to get you started!

More:

Ideas for the Home by Kennary has a blog post called 13 Clever Upcycling Ideas For Your Home.

50 Cool Upcycling Ideas For The Garden! They have a super clever idea of how to create a garden chandelier and so much more.

Caroline Picard’s 15 Upcycled Furniture Ideas That Turn Trash Into Treasure blog post has some fantastic before and after pictures.

Past Entries

Last but not least, here are some of our winners from previous years!

People’s Choice Award 2021

The Dragon's Nest

Submitted by Carol Lewis

Carol Lewis, who is 65 years old built this tiny home last year all by herself! She used recycled and upcycled materials as much as she could salvage, barter for or buy. Here it is in her own words below.

“I built a 300 sq.ft. Tiny House. It has been custom built to exactly fit me and my lifestyle. I used recycled 2x4s, electrical boxes, plumbing pex parts, lattice (all bought at Comox/Courtenay Restore) as well as a sink tap set, cedar shingles, more lumber, pvc plumbing bits, paint (all bought at Campbell River ReStore).” - Carol

What incredible attention to detail, your tiny home is an inspiration to many.

Random Draw Winner 2021

Kid's Work Bench

Submitted by Tasha Page

“We created a kid’s workbench from a shelf purchased from the ReStore in the Comox Valley. We added paint, pegboard, and a plywood top to complete the project.” - Tasha

Preparing the little ones with the skill set they will need at one of our build sites!

Random Draw Winner 2022

Jewelry Board

Submitted by Linda

Linda, one of our volunteers, has given a new life to this window pane by turning it into a jewellery wall! What a smart way to organize your pendants and earrings while decorating your wall. Not to mention that she has saved this piece from ending up in the landfill!

Best Home Upcycle 2022

Kitchen Island

Submitted by Dawna D.

Kitchen renovation with cabinets, stove, fridge, microwave, sink, table and flooring bought from Habitat ReStore.

Best Outdoor Yard Project 2022

Greenhouse

Submitted by Henry C.

The greenhouse was completed by using materials from both the Comox Valley and Campbell River ReStores.

Best Furniture Upcycle 2022

The Gold Record

Submitted by Karen S

“When a ReStore promo video showed a surplus of gold paint, I bought three cans. After decades of dogs, kids, workshops and floods, the downstairs of my family home got a golden makeover. Old trunks, damaged coffee tables, footstools, a shelf, a door, a cozy bathroom, builder’s baseboards, a storage bench, the laundry sink… all were renewed. And there’s still a gallon left… now venturing upstairs where the gold baseboards look groovy with the funky '70s wallpaper!” - Karen S.