Get Up & Upcycle at the Ottawa Fall Home Show

"Upcycling" is very quickly becoming the most talked about trend in the renovation and design world. Upcycling is repurposing a tired or discarded item that you would otherwise throw out, into something beautiful and functional. You can upcycling almost anything, big or small, old or broken, whatever you can think of!

For this year's Ottawa Fall Home Show, we've teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to bring you the Ultimate Upcycle Challenge! Local celebrities, design experts, media personalities, and DIY bloggers will be put to the test.

Armed with a small budget, some paint from Rust-Oleum, and all the creativity they can muster, the participants will be sourcing and repurposing a previously-owned item. Entries will be displayed at the show where visitors will have the chance to bid on the items with all the proceeds being donated to Habitat for Humanity.

So how can you become a part of the upcycle trend? With almost anything! We've put together some ideas to help you get started.

Calling All Old Denim

We all have that pair of jeans that are a torn, worn mess, but no matter what, we can't seem to get rid of them. Now you don't have to! You can repurpose denim into almost anything; decorations, pillow cases, totes, and even blankets!

Image via Brit + Co

Too Many Pillowcases?

Find yourself with too many empty pillowcases hanging around the linen closet? Pillowcases make great DIY materials because they are made up of so many patterns, textures, and sizes! This leaves you with a realm of possibilities to try! Why not sew them together and stuff it to make a sleeping mat? Or use them to make garment bags and painting smocks for kids? Try adding a pocket and handle to a case for the perfect kid's traveling pillow!

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

Mason Jars for Everyone

Mason jars are perhaps the most universal DIY item there is. Don't throw them away once they're empty, put them to good use! Bringing a rustic feel to any project, mason jars are super easy to repurpose into almost anything. We love them as storage, candles, and vases.

Image via The DIY Playbook

Holey Knit Sweaters No More

You know that old, yet super soft sweater that's been shoved at the back of your closet for a year because of the giant hole in it? There's a million and one ways to reuse it and rekindle the cable knit love affair! With just a needle, thread, and a bit of finesse, you can fashion all sorts of cozy knit accessories. Turn your old sweaters into Christmas stockings, slippers, boot socks, mittens, a hat, and the cutest baby clothes you've ever seen - you can do almost anything with it!

Image via Saartje Knits

Visit the Ottawa Fall Home Show to get more upcycling tips and DIY project ideas. The home and garden event of the season takes over the EY Centre September 24-27, 2015. Don't have tickets yet? Right now you can get 2-for-1 tickets on Facebook. Don't forget to share this awesome deal with a friend!

EY CENTRE
SEPTEMBER 24 - 27, 2015.