When it comes to the world of designer home fashion, saving money isn’t likely the first thought that enters most people’s minds. With the cost of a simple kitchen chair running into the thousands at some of the city’s furniture boutiques, having a set of furnishings that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the wallet might appear like an unrealistic expectation.

Lucky then for the discerning homeowner that DIY chic has become the trend du jour. With several shows on TV (not to mention an entire network) devoted to doing it yourself, homeowners on a budget actually stand a chance of assembling a decent selection of furnishings without breaking the bank.

As the current host of My Rona Home on CityTV, Alykhan Velji is one of those helping to inspire countless DIYers. A firm believer in the benefits of a little hard work, Velji says that just by giving some of those old furniture relics a bit of a makeover, homeowners can reap the rewards of upcycling.

“The thing is that it’s a huge cost savings. So if you’re on a budget, it’s nice to look around your house and see what pieces you could use and revamp. That’s the number one thing.”

If cost-effectiveness alone isn’t enough to cause homeowners to give that old hand-me-down chair a second look, then perhaps preserving the environment will. With the ability to turn what was once junk into a valuable addition to your home, the added bonus of diverting useful items from local landfills is something that Velji believes might tip the scales in favour of upcycling.

“It’s eco-friendly,” says Velji. “You’re using pieces that normally would have either been thrown in the garbage or just would have gone to waste. “

But if people are still not convinced of the benefits of turning discards into décor, perhaps an appeal to their vanity would do the trick. After all, in a field where exclusivity is all the rage, the singularity that comes with putting your personal touch on an item is a key selling feature.

“It’s all making things custom,” says Velji. “So rather than going out and buying a new piece of furniture that people might have, if you customize something, it’s also going to be a lot more unique.”

According to Velji, the process involved in breathing new life into an old piece of furniture can often involve little more than a new paint job.

“A fresh coat of paint goes a really long way, so repainting a chair is quite easy. All you have to do is give it a light sanding, a prime and then paint the colour you want.”

Speaking of his favourite piece that has undergone a similar makeover, Velji says that a vintage mid-century chair purchased for a quarter at a garage sale ranks amongst his top picks. Velji paid $150 to have the chair reupholstered, and the result is a unique (and inexpensive) piece of furniture.

“Garage sales are awesome. You’re just upcycling other peoples junk that they’re not using. I go to garage sales all the time, and they’re fantastic.”