What is upcycling?
Upcycling is when you reuse something, like furniture or other materials, in a creative way to improve its quality and value.
An old piece of furniture can be upcycled simply by refinishing or repainting it. You can also put together a variety of items and materials and come up with another way to reuse them and repurpose them into something completely different than their original uses.
How can I upcycle?
If you’re not handy with creative ideas or feel you don’t the skills to match them, have no fear: you can still become an upcycler! There are so many DIY videos on YouTube to get you started. You can also tap into helpful sales staff in your local hardware and paint stores that carry the supplies needed for your new projects.
What can I upcycle?
If you’re new to upcycling, start with a small project like a small home decor item such as a mirror or frame, or a small piece of furniture like a small table. Look around your house for old, abandoned stuff in your attic or basement, or take a tired item in one of your favorite rooms and give it a makeover. You can also find affordable used items in local thrift shops, neighborhood tag sales, or online sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist.
What is TIOLI?
TIOLI stands for “Take It Or Leave It.” Many towns have spots for TIOLI sheds or locations where you can drop off something you don’t need anymore and take something someone else left, all for free! It’s typically a courtesy to leave something if you take something. Bedford 2030 has set up a TIOLI Shed at the Bedford Hills Train Station. Pro tip: if you plan to drop off any items at a TIOLI, be sure to check what’s allowed to be dropped off before leaving your items.