5 reasons why upcycled furniture makes a cracking Christmas gift

Upcycling, refurbishing or re-purposing a treasured possession or piece of furniture makes for a truly thoughtful and unique Christmas gift.

That set of drawers that never shut properly but still have a job to do, the pine wardrobe you hate the look of but can’t afford to replace, the dining table and chairs that have seen better days. All of these can be given a new lease of life with the right care, attention and creativity.

Bringing furniture back to life to be loved again is a great feeling, whether that’s through redesign, sympathetic restoration or total transformation. But there’s an even bigger buzz when you’re commissioned to do it in secret...

One of my clients told her husband she’d thrown out the bedside table he made in woodwork at school 35 years ago. Little did he know she’d squirrelled it away to my workshop for some Odd Thing TLC. He was crestfallen, that is until his beloved bedside table turned up with a special added twist to mark his milestone birthday!     

If you need a little more convincing of the value of upcycled furniture as a gift, here are some thoughts.

1. Upcycling is a sustainable choice

Upcycled furniture is one of the most environmentally friendly Christmas gifts you can give. You’re saving furniture from landfill and the transformation process is much kinder to the planet than buying brand new. Older furniture also tends to last much longer because of the traditional techniques used in its creation.

In The Odd Thing workshop I use low VOC paints, locally sourced materials, and reuse and recycle materials where possible. For bespoke build commissions or re-purposing furniture, I always scour the workshop for materials I can re-use before ordering in new.

2. It’s (literally) cracking

Every home has at least one piece of furniture that’s falling apart or so worn, cracked or damaged that you can no longer use it. It might be living in a store cupboard, shed or garage, but you absolutely cannot, and will not, part with it!

Upcycling, refurbishing or restoring furniture can extend its life by years, not to mention transform unused gems into useful items for the home. Whether it needs a wobbly leg or two repairing, a sand and wax or a lustrous lick of paint, there’s so much to be gained from upcycling broken or damaged furniture.  

3. Upcycling doesn’t break the bank

With the cost of living on the rise, upcycled furniture is a cost effective choice when searching for a gift or updating your décor. Take a piece of your own furniture from the attic or garage, clean it up, add a twist and gift it to someone. It’s creative, thoughtful, and much more memorable than a pair of socks!

4. Create lasting memories

Talking of memories, I’ve had the pleasure of working on several heirloom pieces, either restoring them to their former glory or turning them into something new. Family heirlooms I’ve restored include grandad’s carver chair, a funky 1930s side table, a forgotten nest of tables, and transforming a tool box into a quirky storage side table. These pieces have been passed down from generation to generation and, with my help, will continue to be part of the family for many years to come.

5. It could stop you getting nagged!

Forever promising to repair a wonky leg or refinish a scuffed table top? There are always odd jobs we never seem to get round to. Why not let The Odd Thing take the pressure off. I’ll resolve your furniture problems and stop you getting nagged. What better Christmas present is there than peace?!

Are you considering giving the gift of lasting memories this year?

Next time you’re in the attic, shed or garage, take a good look around and think which items might be suitable to upcycle and gift. If you’re not sure whether your furniture is worth saving, have a read of this.

If you have a project in mind, contact me here. I’m happy to chat, whether you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for or need some creative input. Don’t delay for Christmas gift bookings. My time gets booked up very quickly. And for an alternative Christmas gift idea, there’s always The Odd Thing gift vouchers - visit the shop for more info on how to purchase!