Upcycling is all the rage these days, and for good reason. Upcycling furniture in particular, is a brilliant way to make a little extra money; it is easy to source cheap furniture in charity shops and as long as you find an affordable furniture paint supplier, your outgoings are minimal. It can be a very rewarding job if you enjoy being creative and it means you get to work for yourself which is always a plus. Here, we give you some advice on how to start a successful upcycling business.

Upcycling Techniques

Upcycling furniture isn’t quite as simple as throwing some paint on an old piece of furniture. Once you have found an attractive piece for a nice, low price, you need to prepare it before painting. This includes cleaning it thoroughly inside and out and sanding down any rough areas. You need to invest in some decent quality brushes as well as finding a paint brand you enjoy working with, as this will make all the difference when it comes to the overall finish of your work. Once you have painted the furniture thoroughly, make sure you apply a wax to keep the paint in place and give the furniture an attractive sheen. And finally, when it comes to selling the pieces make sure you present them expertly to highlight their potential to bring a burst of color and beauty to any room.

Organisation

You may enjoy the creative aspect of a business like this but don’t forget that sensible business practices are just as important. You will need to create an attractive and easy to use website as a communication platform for potential customers, and a way of advertising your products. This should have a section in which customers are able to make orders, which needs to be simple and easy to understand. You will also need to provide customer support in case anything goes wrong.
As well as having a competitive pricing strategy, keep your finances in order so that you can make sensible decisions which won’t lead to your business sinking before it can swim. Also, invest in a van so that you can make your own deliveries as this will save you money in the long run. And remember, insurance for your courier van is a legal requirement.

Marketing

As with any business, marketing is the key to your success. Once you have a brilliant product and a system in place for taking and delivering orders, you need to make as many people aware of your company’s existence as possible. Think about the kinds of places you could find your target market for example, homeware trade shows, home interior publications, and popular spots in busy public places, and make sure you have eye-catching adverts to get their attention.

Upcycling furniture can be a very lucrative business to start however, there are basic principles you must follow to ensure that you are successful. You need to learn the correct techniques for the decorating itself, as well as key business principles such as strong marketing and accounting. For more tips on how to make it on your own in the world of start-ups, take a look at diversifiedfinances.com.