Up-cycling is one of the hottest trends right now, and also a step in the right direction: a more eco friendly way of living. Something as simple as a wine bottle you’d throw away without thinking can be transformed into a unique candle holder or glass. From trash to gold, with only your creativity and some tools, create pieces your own way and even wow your guests with up-cycled party decorations.
Recycling vs. Up-cycling
Everybody is pretty familiar already with recycling. It consists in breaking down the materials like plastic, paper, metal, glass into a raw form, in order to get utilized again in another product. That may lessen the quality. In the other hand, up-cycling doesn’t break down the substances. It’s a way of redesign, changing the product but having the end result of the same material. To up-cycle a product is transforming the common into a more fashionable piece, giving it a brand new life and use, even turning into art. Both ways are incredibly great for the environment, at the same time that you get an exclusive artifact and the satisfaction of making it with your own hands.
Wine Candle
Setting the mood with a wine bottle just took a whole new meaning with this candle holder. Get that sensuality of wine in the classiest way. There are really beautiful and well designed brands in the market that you can use for different styles and colors. For the candle itself, with the wax you can choose the scent you want, even a white or red scented oil combined with a hint of spicy chili chocolate or vanilla. More instructions here.
Grow Your Own
Using a glass or plastic bottle, make a terrarium for your spices and small plants. Takes just a little bit of space and can be easily placed and taken care of in apartments. Marking the name with a black sticker or chalkboard paint makes it a lot easier to recognize as well, especially at the first stages, when it’s only seeding. More at DIY Ready.
Decor for Book Lovers
Not only a cute way to decorate, but a nice customized gift. Imagine using pages of your favorite book (a second copy, of course) to decorate your bedroom. The entire bottle can be covered with pages, or like the picture, cut in shapes of flowers, animals. Thrift shops near you will probably have awesome cheap old books that work great too, since they’ll have that antique and mysterious look. Instructions at The Wicker House.
Glass Etched Quote Bottles
Adding the quotes to the bottles and reusing to serve your guests fresh water or juice during the day it’s a subtle but creative touch to the table. At night just add candles to them and see it in a whole different light. Click here to learn how to make these.
Wall Flower Vases
Simply an adorable delicate touch of color and nature to the house. The solitary vases are easy to make, with the option of putting them on the rustic wood board, or just leaving them around at the house or on table tops. See instructions.
Tiki Torches
For a new take on tiki torches, use bottles and play with pebble colors for a stylish outdoor party. Click here to learn how to make them.
Alternative Plant Watering
This method it’s particularly awesome if you’re going on a long trip and there’s not a single friend that wanted to take care of your plants. The plant nanny releases water slowly, so they’ll still be alive when you come back. More here.
Chalkboard Message in a Bottle
Painting with chalkboard paint has become one of the easiest and transforming DIY ideas. It’s used in frames, bottles, decoration, walls, furniture and more. For a new way of the message in a bottle, with chalkboard paint and white paint for the details, you can use and reuse anytime you want. How To on Domestically Speaking.
Drinking Shelves
Seems both fragile and cool, but it’s actually quite strong. So go full force on the decor of your bar with these bottle shelves. The wood can be painted any color, but a more rustic wood with a dark varnish looks more like a badass old school bar. More here.
Shot Glasses
No reason to waste! A couple of bottles when cut can provide you with two big drinking glasses and also shot glasses. Be careful to follow all the safety tips and to sand the edges until it’s completely smooth. Learn how to make them at Recyclart.
Hinged Keepsake
Who’d think that a whisky bottle could turn into a cool keepsake, jewelry box just by cutting, sanding and adding a hinge? Also awesome to put at the bar area to display snacks like peanuts or pistachios, or having multiple keepsakes storing cherries, lime wedges and more for the coolest cocktail bar.
Recycled Wind Chime
With another way of cutting and polishing, you get a unique wind chime. Personalize the sounds by adding different metal charms. For an outdoor date idea, this can be turned into a candle holder. Place multiple bottles of candle holders and a wind chime on a tree and wait for the magic sounds and light.
Soap Dispenser
A Rock N’Roll bathroom needs an equally rocking soap dispenser. It’s such a small detail, but there’s no need to have a boring bathroom. Any bottle can be used, so depending on your style, create your own dispenser. From classic Jack Daniel’s, to fine champagne, colorful Mexican tequila bottles, the brands are endless. To be even more authentic, buy liquid soap with a color close to the original liquor. Just be careful not to get confused at an early morning if you’re half-asleep and already in the mood for a drink. Super quick gift idea. Learn more.
Glitter Dipped
Incredibly classy, modern and simple to make. They look so expensive, it’s hard to believe they were just a few empty bottles before. In case you’re not a big fan of glitter, a paint dipped technique will already work amazingly. But with just the very bottom of the bottles painted with glitter, it’s a touch of shimmer and extra glamour.
Magic Lights
The fairy lights look so magical inside the bottles. Used for parties, dates, or just around the house, it’s a great touch in a quick way. Invest in good LED lights, though. The cheap knockoff ones tend to be weaker and overheat, leading to melting plastic. Other than that, go crazy on fairy lights!
Terrarium
The side bottle terrarium looks so classy on a rustic table. Succulents work really well since not a lot of water is needed. The cork holding the bottle it’s a nice touch.
Bird Feeder
Hearing birds singing early in the morning it’s very relaxing. Contribute with wild life while being eco friendly and stylish with this bird feeder. Invite nature in your yard with a nice (non-alcoholic) drink.
Spray Painted Party Decor
Mistake-free way of transforming any piece. For a party decoration, if uniformity is what you want, use the same spray.
For something ultra chic, get gold or silver paint. Even a cheap plastic bottle looks like you bought it from a high end store. More ideas and details here.
Glasses
DIY glasses for cool cocktails and drinks. With the same method of cutting glass it’s possible to do candle holders, paint brush holders, and many ideas more. Learn how to make it.
Vintage Light Fixtures
The liquor bottle light fixture it’s such a nice touch. It has that medieval/renaissance feel to it. Adventure yourself to make your own.
Colorful Chandeliers
For chandeliers that look amazing, colorful and artistic, using bottles can have great results. Get inspired by these two and create your own. For such a big piece, it’s advisable to have an electrician finish that part, and check out if all the fixtures are well put so nothing falls out of place.
Modern Cut Vases
Putting color in the house takes only a few minutes with this idea. On this version, all labels are taken off for a modern look. The gradient display of different shades of green is subtle, artsy and can be done in any colors.
Hanging Bottles
Rustic and a powerful statement, the wow light factor certainly will add that exotic and rustic vibe to your dining room. If you want the DIY version, you’ll be able to choose every single bottle and material there, which will end up in a completely unique piece. Add a detail only you will know, like picking the years of a few wine bottles in honor of your loved ones birthdays, or special dates you want to remember. Click here for more.
The most important part of any project here it’s creating something only you will have. Everybody it’s so used to using nonstop, just disposing away the empty and used, with little constructing of their own. With up-cycling it’s a chance to use your hands and creativity to look at simple and mundane things around you, and in them to find and create beauty.
