colorful découpage garbage can

Upcycling - a new look for an everyday object that often receives little attention

In my city, as in many others, run-down walls and ragged or dirty facades have begun to be embellished with pretty and colorful murals or graffiti that have transformed these somewhat dark corners into appealing and aesthetic attractions, enhancing places that would otherwise have been ugly to look at. Now they can be used as a backdrop for selfies, both by residents and tourists.

This beautification of something that was previously something to be hidden or not really proud of inspired me to create the object of this post: a trash can, colorfully decorated in the spirit of upcycling (otherwise I would have rid myself of this trash can, so I saved it from the big garbage can).

For years I had this simple white plastic garbage can that I used in the bathroom. Due to the ravages of time, the white was no longer really white but a bit yellowish and made it look old and dirty. It also had a few scratches. As you probably already know if you've read a few of my posts, I don't like to throw away things that might still be usable and try not to pollute the environment any more (than is unfortunately sometimes unavoidable) by saving items that can be salvaged and reused from going in the bin. The way I decided to save this garbage can from the garbage can was to give it a new "face" using the DIY technique of découpage (or decopatch).

From an object that was a thorn in my side, it has become an eye-catcher with its cheerful colors, which I like to see and which reminds me positively that I have contributed a little bit, in my tiny world, to environmental friendliness.

If you want to make something like this, you need:

• Plastic trash can

• Découpage paper, various patterns

• Découpage glue

• paintbrush

• clear varnish

Before you start, it is of course necessary to clean all surfaces of the garbage can thoroughly. Then you can choose the découpage paper that you like best - perhaps in the color of the furnishings or home accessories of the room in which the garbage can will later be used, or simply in beautiful colors that you like. At this point, you can start working on the découpage: using a brush, apply a layer of découpage glue to the plastic and lay (also with the brush) piece by piece of your chosen paper on the surface, following the design you have created. I used patterned colored papers. You can also use clippings from newspapers or magazines. After another layer of découpage glue over the paper, the bin can be coated with clear varnish (applied as a spray or with a brush) once it has dried. It is then water and dirt resistant. The bin's chic new look is finished!

I hope you like the garbage can or that you have found inspiration to perhaps design another object using the découpage technique instead. I'm happy if you feel like forwarding this post to someone if, like me, you love pretty little things, are environmentally conscious, understand humor and love to share with people you like.

A hug and see you soon!