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Refresh your home on a budget by upcycling

Dream homes don’t necessarily require big budgets. Author Jaharn Quinn shares how upcycling can help you refresh rooms while turning second-hand materials into something beautiful. 

By Jaharn Quinn. Edited by: Stephanie Nuzzo. Photography: Aimee Dodge Photography

  • By upcycling furniture, you can make something beautiful, functional and affordable, while reducing waste. 
  • Author Jaharn Quinn shares how to make a stylish curved fabric bedhead and timber-stained striped bar stools, plus where to find DIY inspiration. 

Upcycling furniture is not just about making something beautiful, functional and affordable with your own hands. It’s also about actively choosing to reduce waste by using materials you already have at home or sourcing them second-hand. 

The very nature of upcycling furniture and décor makes it unique – the sideboard I find at my local tip shop will be different from one you find at yours. I source materials from thrift shops, second-hand markets and recycling centres where possible. I also love looking for materials in unexpected places and using them in unexpected ways. 

How to make a fabric pillbox bedhead

One of my favourite types of furniture to upcycle is bedheads. They can be expensive new but making one by repurposing items like styrofoam packaging costs a fraction of the price. 

When I started thinking about this design, I knew I wanted it to be modern with soft curves. After adding some batting and thrifted curtain fabric, I had a beautiful upcycled fabric pillbox bedhead.

Skill level: Beginner 
Time: 1 hour 

Materials

4 large repurposed styrofoam pieces  
String 
Batting
Self-adhesive spray 
Second-hand curtain fabric 
Masking tape 

Tools

Drop sheet (cloth)  
Felt pen  
Measuring tape  
Utility knife  
Fabric scissors  

Safety gear

Protective eyewear  
Protective face mask  
Protective gloves 

Steps

1. Place a drop sheet on your workbench. Using a felt pen and measuring tape, mark 40cm × 110cm on two of the styrofoam pieces to provide the width and height of your first two bedhead pillboxes. 

2. Now use the felt pen and some string to draw an arch at the top of each piece. Repeat for the other two pieces of styrofoam but make the markings at 40cm × 128cm. 

3. Using a utility knife, cut the styrofoam pieces so that you have four styrofoam pillbox shapes. Use masking tape to give the arches extra height.  

4. Using a measuring tape and fabric scissors, measure and cut the batting, allowing for an extra 15cm on all sides for taping. Apply self-adhesive spray on the front of one of the pillbox shapes. Let the adhesive cure as instructed on the can (usually five to 15 minutes) then place the batting on top. Repeat for remaining pieces. 

5. Using a measuring tape and fabric scissors, measure and cut the curtain fabric. 

6. Allowing for an extra 15cm on all sides for taping. Apply self-adhesive spray all over the batting. Let the adhesive cure as before. Place the fabric on top, right side facing up. Repeat for the remaining three styrofoam pieces. 

7. Gently flip the styrofoam pieces over. Apply self-adhesive spray on the edges of the styrofoam. Let the adhesive cure as before. Carefully fold the batting and fabric over the edges and secure in place with masking tape for extra durability. 

8. When placing each fabric-covered pillbox behind a bed, push them snugly together. You don’t need to attach them together to make one large piece but I recommend using more masking tape if you want. 

Tip : You can keep the height of each pillbox the same or you can cut the styrofoam into rectangles, one big arch or a continuous wavy trim. You can also use any fabric you like. 

Where to find inspiration 

My thrifting and upcycling process begins with collecting inspiration. There are many different places I get inspiration from and each of them is an excellent resource for igniting creativity and sparking ideas. 

  • Furniture design: I draw inspiration from all around me, including galleries, restaurants, museums, hotels, homes and so much more. 
  • Pinterest: It’s an incredible creative resource and offers a treasure trove of inspiration and ideas. 
  • Travel: Different places, experiences, food and cultures greatly inspire my work. 
  • Second-hand books: I enjoy finding books written about furniture, interior design, home DIY, woodworking, fashion, architecture, crafting and garden design. 
  • Magazines: I’ve always loved collecting magazines. I love looking through current and past issues for inspiration. 
  • Nature: Whenever I feel overwhelmed or lacking creativity, spending time in nature gives me energy and sparks my imagination. 

How to make timber-stained striped bar stools 

Skill level: Intermediate 
Time: 1 hour (excluding drying) 

I was inspired to create a striped pattern on second-hand wooden furniture a couple of years ago after seeing some vintage pieces made from different woods, which made a gorgeous pattern. Unfortunately, the price tag was way out of my budget so I put my thinking cap on to see if I could come up with an easier, more affordable solution. 

I’ve since used timber stain to create a striped pattern on a timber side table and a checker pattern on second-hand wooden drawers. I love creating bold patterns using timber stains and I am so excited to share this technique with you. 

Materials

Second-hand timber bar stools  
80-grit sandpaper  
120-grit sandpaper
Painter’s tape
Timber stain  
Clear gloss varnish  

Tools

Drop sheet (cloth)  
Drill
Orbital sander  
Cotton cloth  
Measuring tape
Microfibre cloth 
Paintbrush  

Safety gear

Protective earplugs  
Protective eyewear 
Protective face mask
Latex gloves

Steps

1. Place a drop sheet onto your work surface. 

2. Remove the wooden seat from the bar stool frame using a drill. Set the screws and frames aside. 

3. Use an orbital sander with 80-grit sandpaper, followed by 120-grit sandpaper, to remove the existing varnish from the seat and ensure a smooth, even finish. Wipe the seats with a damp cotton cloth to remove any sanding residue and dust. Let the wood thoroughly air-dry before proceeding to the next step.

4. Measure the chair’s width to calculate how many stripes you can make. You may need to apply the first piece of painter’s tape in the middle of the seat, like I did, to ensure the same timber-stained stripes on each side. Apply the painter’s tape in a striped pattern on the seats.

5. Use a smaller piece of painter’s tape as a guide to ensure the stripes are symmetrical and evenly spaced. Press the painter’s tape firmly along the edges to ensure the timber stain does not bleed underneath. 

6. Lightly dab the microfibre cloth into the timber stain and wipe off any excess.

7. Apply the timber stain along the wood grain from top to bottom in smooth, fluid motions. Avoid pushing the timber stain under the tape. Let the timber stain dry for an hour before applying a second coat. Carefully peel off the painter’s tape after applying the second coat, making sure to peel it off up and straight, not up and across. Set aside to dry.

8. Apply a thin coat of clear gloss varnish using a paintbrush. 

9. Set aside to dry before applying the second coat. Reinstall the seats onto the bar stool frames using a drill and set aside screws. 

Tip: Despite pressing down the sides of the painter’s tape, the stain may bleed under the tape. It will most likely happen with plywood – like these bar stools. I was initially sad but when my friends told me they loved it and that it added character, I also fell in love with them.

Don’t need bar stools? 

No worries! Use another piece of wooden furniture, such as a cabinet, bedside table or a magazine rack. You also may want to make a different timber-stained pattern, such as checkers, or an entirely different pattern or scene. The choice is yours. 

This is an edited extract from Dream Home DIY by Jaharn Quinn (Hardie Grant Books, RRP $45). 

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Published: 14 April 2026

Things you should know

An earlier version of this article was published in Brighter magazine.

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