Lockdown inspires upcycle boom

Whether it is the sanding-down of an old dining table, a splash of paint on an forgotten piece of furniture, or repurposing useless items around the home – the UK is a nation of fixer-uppers, craft enthusiasts, and designers, all keen to make the most of their home spaces.

Lockdown has only reignited this passion for upcycling, with 71% more inclined to do so than before, according to new research from HGTV. Those between 25 – 34 years old are the most motivated to restore beloved belongings, with 80% saying they are now more likely to upcycle than they were previously.

Restoring and hand-making things for the home does a lot more than save money or provide a peaceful pastime – fans of upcycling say their hobby brings them a sense of achievement (28%) and wellbeing (20%). Furthermore, they also bring people together with more than one in ten (12%) enjoying a restoration project with their family, while 11% enjoyed them more in lockdown.

It comes as no surprise then that almost one in five (19%) of us regularly upcycle, and many more are interested – but where should you start?

Aston spoke to Max McMurdo and Zoe Pocock, TV presenters and co-host of The Weekend Workshop to share their top tips and guidance for upcycling ahead of the launch of their new show, The Weekend Workshop on HGTV.  

Photo by Eugen Str on Unsplash