How upcycling can be the ‘new’ normal
As interior designers, it’s not unusual for us to be talking to our clients about remodelling and redesigning a single room, one floor or even the whole property. And when we’re doing that, a common misconception is that we’ll always recommend ditching the current furniture and accessories to make way for brand new replacements. In reality, that isn’t always the case as we believe that it’s important to create styles that suit the space but that also fit with the client’s budget, and that may mean retaining some or all of the furniture and furnishings. Clearly, if you’re going for a completely new look with a different colour scheme and revamped styling then it may actually be necessary to start from scratch, but it’s not a given.
As Leigh Hall, owner of Strive for Design, explains, it’s in this area that an interior designer can be worth their weight in gold. ‘Here at Strive for Design, our approach is to sit down with the client and talk through their plans and their tastes. This allows us to create mood boards showing colours, textures and furniture styles, and it’s at this point that we may well recommend keeping some of the existing furniture and accessories either as they are or upcycled to fit the scheme. This of course can generate significant savings on the budget without compromising the quality of the final finish.’
Upcycling has really taken off in the UK, and especially since the start of the pandemic. With so many of us spending so much longer at home than usual, the focus has been on making our properties as attractive as possible. But the potential drawback with that appetite for home improvements is the availability of sufficient budget to make sweeping changes, and that’s where upcycling can come into its own. Whether it’s sanding down and repainting a sideboard, creating shelving from high-quality pallet wood or re-upholstering a beloved chair or sofa, there are lots of options when it comes to using your existing furniture in your new design. On the accessories side, meanwhile, even re-covering your cushions can give the whole concept a lift without breaking the bank.
‘Our ultimate concern when we meet a new client is to ensure that we achieve the outcome they crave for the budget they’re able to commit,’ says Leigh. ‘We’re certainly not fans of the throwaway culture and if we can re-use items that the client has available then so much the better. Unless they’re setting up home for the first time, there’s every chance that the client will already have a selection of artwork, glassware, pottery and ornaments that may well sit perfectly happily within the new design. In some cases, for example, the client will have been looking high and low for a new painting or print when the perfect solution was already hanging on their wall and staring them in the face, and it sometimes needs the vision of an interior designer such as ourselves to reveal that.’
Leigh Hall from Strive for Design is an interior designer in Cambridge and Newmarket, and with her team focuses on designing and delivering spaces that have a real wow factor. Please call Leigh on 01223 622 688 for a chat or complete our enquiry form to book in your initial consultation!