Dumped That
Dumped That
Dumped That
Don’t dump it – upcycle it
Upcycling
Inspiration
How To's
We’ve all been there
You’re looking at something you no longer need – a piece of furniture, an old object, something slightly worn, slightly outdated, or simply no longer useful. It’s not quite rubbish, but it’s not quite treasure either. Do you keep it or throw it away?
Been There Dumped That was created for exactly that space between “keep it” and “throw it away.” It’s about rethinking what we discard, spotting possibilities, and sharing the small creative wins that come from giving things another life.
Sometimes inspiration starts with a simple question:
“Could I do something with this?”
A place for ideas, experiments, and second chances
Upcycling isn’t about perfection. It’s about curiosity.
This community brings together people who enjoy experimenting, tinkering, repurposing, and sometimes improvising. Some projects are beautifully crafted. Others are practical, playful, or purely experimental.
Here you’ll find:
- Projects that started as “junk” and became something useful
- Simple ideas that anyone can try
- Unexpected transformations
- Creative problem-solving in action
Whether you’re an experienced upcycler or just getting started, there’s room for every kind of creativity.
Real projects. Real rescues. Real creativity.
One of the most inspiring parts of the community is seeing what others have done with items that might otherwise have been thrown away.
From rescued furniture to forgotten household objects, every project tells a small story of reinvention. Not everything needs to be polished or Pinterest-perfect – often the most interesting ideas come from experimentation.
Take a look around and explore what’s possible.
Push things forward
At its heart, Been There Dumped That is about people. By building a community of like-minded people, we hope to create a space to educate, inspire, and share ideas.
Through projects, conversations, tips, and shared experiences, our members exchange practical advice and creative thinking. We help each other get the best out of items that deserve a new lease of life.
Whether you want to revamp the lamp or turn messy into magnificent, “make do & mend” feels more relevant than ever. And you might just uncover your creative side along the way.
Making something fresh again isn’t only good for the environment – it can be good for your mindset too. Creating, repairing, painting, sewing, experimenting – any activity has value. Small projects often spark bigger ideas, setting off a quiet domino effect of inspiration.
Sharing techniques, discoveries, and “how-to” knowledge helps everyone grow.
Perhaps you want to learn a new painting technique, pick up simple repair skills, or pass along your own expertise. Practical advice on fixing and refreshing, specialist knowledge on a niche craft – it all contributes to caring for your pre-loved and future-loved pieces.
Why upcycling matters (without the lecture!)
We believe landfill should be the last stop, not the first.
Upcycling doesn’t have to be grand or complicated or perfect. Sometimes it’s practical. Other times it’s creative. Often it’s simply about trying an idea instead of discarding an item.
Every rescued piece, every reused material, every small experiment contributes to a more thoughtful way of consuming and creating.
All those small rescues add up.