Fun Mannequin Upcycling Ideas

To any average person, a mannequin might just appear like the shop display items they were made for. But to the creative, they’re a unique canvas ready to be transformed into statement pieces of art for your home. I’m here to tell you how easy it is to upcycle a mannequin and create something beautiful.

If you know The Treasuri, then you know we LOVE mannequins!

Female mannequins, male mannequins, lost limbs and child mannequins can all be used to spruce up your home decor and become functional homewares. Shop The Treasuri’s collection of mannequin home decor on Etsy too.

We’ve got 10 ideas to upcycle a mannequin today!

Why would anyone want to upcycle a mannequin?

Maybe it seems strange to be upcycling a mannequin. You might have one lying around and can’t remember where it came from. Maybe you’ve seen one online and thought it could be a fun DIY project.

I personally love mannequins for many reasons

1. Form

Isn’t the human body just beautiful? It’s a shape we are all very familiar with and see daily. But when it’s been transformed into something beautiful and unusual, it turns into something else. A mannequin and the human form is no longer just something for clothes, it’s something to be marvelled at and appreciated.

2. Material

Some upcycling projects can be a pain in the bum when the wood is rotten and ruined or plaster has cracked and fallen apart. A mannequin is either made from fibreglass or plastic and may have a fabric exterior depending on the type you have.

These materials are super strong and durable as well as easy to paint! Fibreglass is often smooth and any cracks are easy to fill. Upcycling a mannequin can be much easier and, in my opinion, way more fun!

3. Creativity

The familiar form of a mannequin can either be a hindrance or a blessing. Working with curves, shapes, and your imagination, you can create something extremely special.

What are your favourite things about a mannequin that pique your interest? One of the mannequin upcycling ideas could fit the bill!

10 ideas to upcycle a mannequin

Mannequin lamp

Our most favourite way to upcycle a mannequin is to transform it into a lamp. Making a mannequin lamp leaves you with a functional item and statement lighting. This project is also quite easy to pull off if you have the right tools and have fun when painting your mannequin.

You can upcycle almost any shape, size and type of mannequin you find. Including full body mannequins, baby mannequins and just torsos. Additionally, there are different types of lamps you can use such as fully installed lamp holders or rope lamps that the mannequin holds.

Check out our repurposed mannequin lamps below

Materials you need:

• Mannequin of your choice
• Paint (spray paint is a great choice as it sits well on fibreglass)
• A rope lamp kit OR
  • make your own lamp kit + instructions
  • drill
  • wire stripper
  • small flat head screwdriver
• Bulb

A Mannequin planter/vase

An upcycle project that requires much fewer steps and equipment is making a mannequin planter or vase. I use the term vase loosely as I am not entirely sure of a mannequin’s water-holding abilities, however, they make extraordinary vessels for faux plants and pampas grass.

Again, you can use almost any size and shape of mannequin to become a planter and it may depend on the space you have available. A baby mannequin would be a great addition to a side table as a decoration or a torso could be a statement planter next to your fire.

Here are some examples of mannequin planters below

Materials needed to recreate this mannequin upcycling idea:

1. mannequin of your choice
2. A large drill bit or a small one to make multiple holes
3. Paint to refinish the mannequin how you desire
4. faux plants or pampas grass

A Mannequin upcycled into storage

Not only are mannequins great vessels for faux plants and lamps, but the body is also a great space for unique storage. A mannequin shelf can be decorative on the outside and the inside and you have even more surfaces to paint. This idea of upcycling a mannequin can be for pieces that are extremely damaged, cracked or even completed broken. Especially as the front or side of the mannequin can be removed. Giving life to even the most neglected and unwanted mannequins that are fit for the bin.

Here are some fun examples of mannequin storage below:

Materials needed:

1. Mannequin of choice
2. Jigsaw
3. Spare wood for shelves
4. Paint for interior and exterior
5. Items to display

A Mannequin table

The mannequin torsos are perfect for many of these mannequin upcycle ideas. However, the legs are great too! Usually, the legs will have a base or be freestanding which makes them the perfect mannequin part for a tabletop. I love the quirkiness of mannequin leg tables and the various ways you can use them to create something that is unique to you and your home.

Here are some leg mannequin table ideas

Materials you’ll need to create a mannequin leg table:

1. Mannequins legs of your choice that are freestanding or with a base
2. Paint to refinish your legs
3. The table top of wood, glass or metal
4. Glue (we like gorilla glue) or glass paddings like rubber dots or suckers

Mannequin hand hooks

It’s surprising how many mannequins lose their hands! There seems to be an abundance of leftover hands around that also make great mannequin upcycle projects. Mannequin hands are a lot smaller and more manageable as an upcycle project compared to their larger counterparts and could be a good place to start if you are more apprehensive about adding mannequins to your home.

The most popular uses of mannequin hands are hooks for coats, bags, jewellery and lamp holders, both functional and beautiful options. Here are some ideas for your mannequin hand:

Materials you need:

1. A lonely mannequin hand
2. Paint to colour the hand how you want
3. Wood block or a frame to mount the hand for hanging
4. Screwdriver to remove old mannequin fixings
5. Glue
6. Screws or hooks for wall mounting your mannequin hand
7. Pendant lamp kit if desired

Mannequin champagne bucket

Another way to use a mannequin body part is to cut the top off or cut a huge hole in it for a bucket… champagne bucket. Imagine hosting a party with your friends and the amazement they will have on their faces as you present their favourite beverage in a pair of boobs or a bum.

This mannequin upcycle idea can let you be totally free and creative with your design. Having fun with these projects is exactly the point!

To help get you inspired and create a champagne bucket, below are some examples:

Materials needed to upcycle a mannequin into a champagne bucket:

1. mannequin body or bum
2. Jigsaw to cut a hole in the top or cut off shoulders
3. Paint to refinish the ain’t tomanneuin
4. Bucket to insert inside for ice and drinks

Mannequin art

Each idea for upcycling a mannequin does make them like functional pieces of art. But, you don’t have to make them functional every time and can simply create beautiful mannequin art. A mannequin is like a blank canvas in the shape of a body but doesn’t create any limitations on what you can do and apply to it. Making mannequins the perfect pieces to upcycle into art

Here are some amazing mannequin art ideas:

Materials to create mannequin art:

1. Mannequin of your choice
2. Whatever paint, colours and art materials take your fancy for you to go crazy

Mannequin wall decor

Mannequins don’t have to take up much space in your home if you don’t want them to. There are also plastic torsos widely available that are hollow and have no back. These types are perfect to be painted and wall mounted.

Or, if you want to take your crafting to a whole new level, you can try making paper mache or resin casts using the mannequin as a base. Welding washers together using the mannequin shape also works perfectly to create stunning wall decor

Here are some mannequin wall decor ideas to inspire you

Materials you need to create mannequin wall art:

1. A man mannequin that can be easily hung or used as a base
2. Paint and other art materials to refinish the mannequin
3. Paper mache or resin to make a cast
4. Washers or metal rings and a welder or soldering iron to fix pieces together

A mannequin Christmas tree

Mannequins also make gorgeous seasonal decorations too. If you think you’re ready to make an extreme mannequin transformation, making a Christmas tree is it. There are a few ways to create this upcycle using either a dressmaker’s mannequin or a standard display mannequin. Building a skirt from chicken wire for your base, you can easily hook tree branches into the frame to form your tree. Decorating it any way you want!

Here are some ideas to inspire your mannequin Christmas tree

Materials you need to make a mannequin Christmashritm tree:

1. Mannequin of your choice
2. Metal or plastic chicken wire to make a frame
3. Christmas tree branches or garland
4. Wire and hooks to attach to the frame
5. Christmas decorations
6. Lights

Mannequin Halloween props

Spare body parts make great creepy and scary props for Halloween. As dressing mannequins is what they’re made for, you can easily dress them up in crazy costumes to be used as part of a Halloween display. There are many creative ways that you can make a mannequin a part of your scary theme. A mannequin head can become a severed head on a pike and hands can become zombies crawling out from their graves!

Here are some DIY mannequin Halloween ideas below:

Materials you need to make mannequin Halloween displays

1. Mannequin or mannequin body parts
2. Paint or Halloween costume
3. Any additional props to set the scene.

So, have we inspired you to create something magical with a mannequin for your home or event?

Whether it’s for everyday use or just a seasonal decoration, mannequins make fun upcycle projects. Allowing you to create something beautiful, functional, and a piece of art that screams you.

We want to see your mannequin upcycle projects want to, add them in the comments or send us an email to thetreauri@gmail.com!

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