Looking for upcycled decor that gives old pieces a place in your home? Think ladder-style bookshelves, a suitcase bedside table or mismatched dishes turned into little display stands.
These pictures offer plenty of inspiration, with a few projects still in progress.
You can keep things simple or go all out. I especially love the botanical dresser and the blue heart pillow.
Start with something you already have, then pick a detail worth borrowing.
Upcycled decorating ideas worth saving
ladder-style bookshelves
We’re starting off strong with these ladder-style shelves. I love the different heights and all those colorful book spines.
The radio tucked into the tall shelf is such a good detail.
If you want to try a similar arrangement, mix books with a few larger display pieces rather than filling every shelf.
Read also: The Best 19+ Mantel Decor Ideas You Need to See
bottle planters
How cute are these little planters? The inverted bottle tops hold the plants above clear water-filled bases, with white cords hanging down inside.
I’d keep a pair together like this so you can see both the leafy tops and the unusual containers. Use properly finished bottle pieces with no exposed sharp edges if you try the idea.
pale blue display shelves
This pale blue and white pairing is so pretty. The staggered boards make a lovely backdrop for the small shelves, especially with those clear bottles in front.
Try a few rounded decorations and one little plant if you want to follow this arrangement. You don’t need to fill every bit of space.
a fresh start for empty cans
Got empty cans you’re about to toss? This picture shows the starting pieces rather than a finished decoration: two large ribbed cans held above a worktable.
For your own version, you could turn clean cans with safely finished edges into holders for dried stems. I’d keep the silver-colored exterior if you like a simple look.
teal suitcase nightstand
I am obsessed with this suitcase nightstand. The teal case looks so cute on the splayed brown legs, plus the handle and latches are still right there on the front.
A silver-colored desk lamp and a single red tulip finish the setup. Keep your own tabletop just as simple to let the suitcase show.
a cluster of glowing jars
If you are looking for a true eye-catcher, then this one is for you. Amber, red and clear containers hang at different heights around a bright central light.
I love the colored reflections on the wall. This is lighting inspiration rather than a complete DIY plan; have a qualified professional handle the electrical setup and overhead support.
a scalloped teacup display
How pretty is this scalloped cup and saucer? The orange slice, little pinecone and star-shaped spice sit around a wick in the pale filling.
Keep this decorated candle unlit because the dried additions can catch fire. For a similar display you can illuminate, I’d use an LED candle with the decorations kept separate.
window-style floor mirror
Don’t want to add lots of little decorations? No problem!
This large window-style mirror has plenty going on by itself, with its divided panes and chipped pale frame.
I love how it reflects the chairs across the room. If you choose a leaning display like this, secure the mirror against tipping.
crates turned sideways
This is another bookshelf idea, but it’s a little different from the ladders above. The dark crates alternate between upright and sideways positions, leaving a mix of tall and wide openings.
Try upright books in the taller spaces and small horizontal stacks in the wider ones. A setup like this needs secure connections and an anti-tip anchor.
botanical drawer fronts
This dresser may just be my favorite one so far. I love the leafy branches across the pale drawer fronts.
The botanical design continues around the side too!
If you want to give an existing dresser a similar look, botanical transfers are one option to explore. Keep the handles simple like the round gold-colored knobs here.
layered cardboard shapes
Here’s a project at the planning stage. Stacked cardboard cutouts sit on a white board, with pencil outlines and a grid still visible on the top piece.
The finished design isn’t shown, but the rounded edges offer a starting point for your own abstract wall decoration. I’d try one color across the layers to keep the shape easy to see.
blue hearts and a pocket
I am obsessed with this heart pillow. It’s just so cute, plus that big jeans pocket makes such a fun center detail.
The blue hearts vary in shade and sit against a cream background with fringed edges. For your own upcycling project, you could reuse a pocket and heart-shaped pieces from clothing you no longer wear.
a rustic photo display
Want something a little different from a regular picture frame? This portrait sits against a rough-edged board, with crossed cords and a printed strip behind it.
The little block below the photo is my favorite detail. Try a postcard in place of a portrait if you’d rather display a favorite illustration.
a textured white vase
Don’t want patterns or bright colors? This white vase idea is for you.
The rounded body has a bumpy finish, with a narrow neck and flared opening.
The picture catches the makeover in progress with a sponge held beside the vase. I’d leave the finished piece empty so that big curved shape gets all the attention.
a book-stack plant stand
I love this leafy plant above a stack of worn books. The brown, tan and dark spines look so good beneath the orange-brown pot.
If you try a shorter version at home, keep the stack level and protect the books from water. Damaged books you no longer read could be a starting point.
a wheel with little pots
How cute is this garden display? A rusty-looking spoked wheel holds three brown pots against a chipped pale aqua door.
The little yellow flowers in the bottom pot are my favorite part. You could add flowers to the side pots too, or leave them empty like this.
tire storage table
There’s more to this tire table than the round top! The lifted lid reveals game controllers and coiled cables tucked into the middle.
The stacked black tires and white lettering give it a sporty look. Save this idea if you’re planning a game-room piece with hidden storage, but don’t assume the photo shows all the construction details.
hanging cutlery and beads
If you love a little bit of everything, take a look at this hanging decoration. Spoons, forks, colorful beads and clear drops dangle from a curved open frame.
I especially love the different lengths. For your own version, you could choose just blue beads if you want fewer colors among the silver-colored pieces.
a clock-face side table
This is another way to bring books into your decor, but the arrangement is much less neat on purpose. The angled stack sits beneath a round clock-face tabletop with a dark rim.
I love the oversized numbers under the top. Treat this as inspiration for a properly secured table rather than balancing a heavy top on loose books.
blue-and-white plate stands
Last but definitely not least, we have these pretty blue-and-white display stands. I am obsessed with the mix of floral patterns!
The dishes sit above upside-down cups or bowls, with little bird and fish details along the rims.
Try a similar securely assembled stand for rings or other small decorative pieces. Matching colors can bring mismatched dishes together without making them all identical.
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