If you are planning your next Decoupage project, it can sometimes be a great idea to look around the home and consider using old or unwanted items for Decoupage.
When you have many household items that are old, not being used, or might be thrown away later. If it’s possible to glue paper to the surface you may want to upcycle these items to breathe new life into them using Decoupage.
So what is Decoupage Upcycling? Decoupage upcycling is the process of transforming old or unwanted items into something new by gluing paper and patterned cutouts onto the surface. Almost any surface can be Decoupaged making it a great upcycling method for many household items that might be thrown away or recycled.
The method of Decoupage upcycling can be great to use if you want to refurbish and create something new using paper, glue, and unwanted household items.
You can Decoupage upcycle almost anything around the home, including many waste materials like plastic, wood, glass, and useless household items that might be thrown in the trash or recycled.
Providing you can easily glue and stick paper to the surface, it can be upcycled into something that looks completely new using Decoupage.
What Is the Purpose of Decoupage Upcycling?
The purpose of Decoupage upcycling is to breathe new life into old or unwanted items that might be thrown away. It’s the practice of using glue and paper cutouts to create a usable and decorative item from waste, old, unused, or unwanted items.
Decoupage upcycling is a method of reducing waste and improving the number of uses you can get out of many old household items. These items include furniture, flower pots, tin cans, plastic containers, and pretty much anything you will find laying around your home.
It can also be very good for the environment, as instead of throwing something away that cannot be easily recycled in its current state. You can re-purpose or re-use old or unwanted items and decorate them using Decoupage.
For many people, Decoupage upcycling is used as a method to bring old or unwanted household items back to life. You can easily use Decoupage glues, Mod Podge, and patterned paper to decorate many different surfaces and objects around your home.
What Is Decoupage Upcycling vs Recycling?
The difference between Decoupage Upcycling and Recycling is that Decoupage upcycling creates something new and decorative from old or unwanted items by using paper and glue. Whereas, recycling involves breaking down waste items, or old, unwanted items to create something new using the raw materials.
Even though it’s always a great idea to try and recycle any old or unwanted household items that you don’t have a use for. If these items can be Decoupaged it’s worth considering using the method of upcycling using Decoupage to find new uses for household items.
Many old or unwanted items around the home can be upcycled by Decoupaging them into new decorative objects and designs. Also, many surfaces such as Wood, Metal, Plastic, Glass, Tin, Ceramics, and Terra Cotta can all be easily Decoupaged.
If you use patterned paper or napkins and Mod Podge it can be very easy to Decoupage and repurpose many household items.
So if you have any old or unwanted items laying around the house that may be recycled such as Tin Cans, Flower Pots, or Funiture. All of these objects and many others can be brought back to life using Decoupage.
How Can You Start Upcycling With Decoupage?
So how do you get started with upcycling using Decoupage?
If you want to decorate and breath new life into many old or unwanted items with Decoupage that you might find around the home. Follow our tips on how to get started with upcycling using the Decoupage method.
Here’s how you can start upcycling using Decoupage:
1. Get Inspiration For Your Project
The first thing you will need to do when you are trying to upcycle with Decoupage is to get some inspiration for your projects.
It’s a great idea to look online for Decoupage inspiration and to get an idea of the kinds of items that you might find around the home that you can easily upcycle using Decoupage.
You can find Decoupage upcycling ideas on Blogs, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook Groups, Tiktok, Pinterest, and many other websites that have videos or pictures showing completed projects or designs using Decoupage.
Also, it’s a good idea to look for materials or different types of paper that you might want to use in your project. Such as patterned Decoupage paper, napkins, cardstock, and many other types of paper or materials that might be ideal for your project.
2. Find Items To Decoupage Around The Home
Once you’ve got some inspiration for your project, you can now look around your home for some old or unwanted items that can be upcycled using Decoupage.
Almost any surface can be Decoupaged, including plastic, glass, metal, wood, fabric, ceramic, terra cotta, tin, etc.
So this can make Decoupage an ideal method to upcycle and re-purpose many household items that may be unused or thrown away later. You can turn them into something new and decorative!
Here are some household items that you can upcycle using Decoupage:
- Wooden Trays
- Flower Pots
- Wine Bottles
- Wooden Shelves
- Glass Jars
- Jewelry Boxes
- Candles
- Tin Cans
- Coasters
- Picture Frames
- Vases
- Wooden Drawers
- Clothes Hangers
- Wooden Tables
- Wooden Chairs
- Countertops
- Fridge Magnets
- Suitcases
- Lampshades
- Ceramic
- Journal / Scrapbook Covers
- Canvas Bags
- Fabric Pillow Cases
- Decorative Plates
Many common household items can be easily upcycled using Decoupage providing they allow you to adhere paper to the surface using Mod Podge or Decoupage glues.
So you should use your imagination to find the ideal items around your home that can be repurposed and be decorated using Decoupage.
3. Get Your Decoupage Tools Ready
Before you can start upcycling your items using Decoupage. You will need to get your Decoupage toolkit ready to ensure you have all the materials and tools that you need for your project.
For some Decoupage projects, you will simply need the bare essentials such as your chosen paper, glue or Mod Podge, and tools to help you get a flat and finish.
However, for some surfaces, when you are upcycling using Decoupage. You may need more tools to ensure you can adhere paper and get a good finish.
Here are some tools you may need for upcycling using Decoupage:
- Decoupage Glue / Mod Podge
- Acrylic Spray Sealer
- Quality Brushes / Sponge Brushes
- Sharp Scissors
- Silicone Mat
- Waxed Paper
- Sandpaper
- Flat Scraping Tool
- Roller / Brayer
- Ruler
- Brush Basin
- Small & Large Brush Applicator
- Small Spouncers
- Detail Brushes / Fine Art Brushes
- Paper Towels
Using the above list of tools, you can pick and choose what you think you will need to prepare the surface and adhere your materials and paper using Decoupage.
Some surfaces can be harder to upcycle using Decoupage than others. This is especially true for surfaces that are uneven, unfinished, oddly shaped, or rough and not completely smooth.
So to ensure your upcycled items can be Decoupaged without getting air bubbles, imperfections, or wrinkles on the Decoupage surface. Always try to ensure you have all of the right tools that you will need for your project, to prepare your items, and adhere your Decoupage.
4. Upcycle Using Decoupage
So now that you have your items and toolkit ready to upcycle using the Decoupage method. It’s now time to apply your Decoupage and decorate your items.
Here’s how to upcycle using Decoupage:
- Prepare the surface for Decoupage – You should clean, smoothen, and sand any items that need if before starting your project.
- Prepare your paper and materials – Get your paper and materials ready. Measure and cut them to size before gluing them to your items.
- Apply your materials to the surface using glue – Using Decoupage glue or Mod Podge, adhere your paper and chosen materials to the surface.
- Smooth and flatten the surface – Using a roller, brayer, or your hands, you can lightly smoothen and flatten the surface as much as possible to ensure there are no bumps or wrinkles.
- Seal the surface – Using additional coats of Decoupage glue, Mod Podge, or Acrylic Sealer. Seal the final surface to give it a durable protective topcoat.
- Allow your Decoupaged items to dry and fully cure – Let your Decoupaged items dry and fully cure. Most Decoupage glues are touch dry within 30 minutes, and take 28 days to cure completely.
This is how you can quickly upcycle many household items and surfaces using Decoupage. For many surfaces and items, these simple steps will apply.
However, some surfaces and items may need extra preparation before you can start your upcycling Decoupage project.
Also, some papers and materials that are being adhered to specific surfaces may need to be stiffened (Using Acrylic Sealer) or further prepared before gluing them down.
If you are unsure whether or not certain items and surfaces can be Decoupaged, you can test the surface using Decoupage glue or Mod Podge and a scrap piece of paper.
Most Decoupage glues are water-based, meaning that you can easily remove the glued paper from the surface before it fully dries and using a cloth and water.
5. Find A New Home For Your Decoupage Items
Now that your items have been Decoupage using the upcycling method. You can now find a new use and a new home for your decorated items.
For many Decoupaged items, if you have used patterned paper and colors that match the interiors of the rooms in your home. You can use the Decoupage items to decorate rooms and add final flourishes and color to your household decor.
You can also place your Decoupage items outdoors, especially if your project involved flower pots, furniture, or wooden trays. Just ensure you have used a waterproof sealer or varnish on these projects to protect the finish from the elements.
Where Can I Find Items To Upcycle Using Decoupage?
So where can you find items to upcycle using Decoupage?
There are many places you can find items to upcycle using Decoupage. You can start by looking around your home for old or unwanted items that may be recycled or thrown away later.
Also, you can look online for yard sales, thrift stores, or anywhere that someone is giving away items for free or relatively cheap.
Here are some of the best places to find items to upcycle using Decoupage:
- Around the home
- Friends & family
- Yard sales / Garage sales
- Thrift stores
- Facebook Groups
- Facebook Marketplace
- Gumtree
- eBay
- Second-Hand Marketplaces
- Antique Stores
Even though it’s usually best to always try and upcycle items using Decoupage that are likely to be recycled or thrown away. You can still find many great items to upcycle if you know where to look for them.
One of our favorite places to find great items to upcycle using Decoupage is yard sales. We love yard sales because many people will be looking to sell unwanted household items and furnishings relatively cheaply that may be thrown away if they are not sold.
There is also usually a good mix of items, such as furniture, mason jars, wooden trays, candles, and many other items and surfaces you can find which can be perfect for any Decoupage project.
So if you want to be frugal in your Decoupage upcycling projects, you can look for places where people are selling second-hand items or offering them for free. You can Decoupage these items, and give them a new home!