Decorating
Upcycle Your Cast-Offs for a Brand New Look
Don't throw away household items gathering dust – repurpose them to spruce up your home without spending a cent
I love switching things around at home and experimenting with decorating styles, but like most of us, my decorating budget does not allow for purchases made on a whim. Instead of spending money (and cluttering up my home with more stuff), when I want a change I first try to use what I have in a fresh way. From new furniture arrangements and easy DIY makeovers to ideas for creative reuse, there are many ways to update your space that do not require cash. If you are ready for a home makeover without spending a cent, it’s time to shop your house.
Also known as ‘use what you have’ decorating, shopping your house entails searching your own home for forgotten treasures and looking at what you already use with fresh eyes. Get started with these three steps:
Also known as ‘use what you have’ decorating, shopping your house entails searching your own home for forgotten treasures and looking at what you already use with fresh eyes. Get started with these three steps:
- Do a walk-through of your home, exploring every nook and cranny for forgotten items. Note anything you would like to have repaired.
- Take photographs of everything. It is easier and faster to see what will work where if you can hold up a picture, rather than dragging furniture from room to room.
- Remember to remove, not just add, items. If a piece of furniture or a decor item has been rubbing you the wrong way, move it out, try it in a different room, paint it or sell it – but don’t let it just sit there.
Give an old twin bed new life
An old twin bed frame (or even just the mattresses) languishing in the basement can easily be transformed into a chic daybed with the addition of a pretty throw and an armful of pillows. The key to making it look more sofa-like is to cover the mattress with a fabric you would not normally find on a bed. A vintage Moroccan wedding blanket, a heavy linen throw or anything with pretty trim would be sublime.
An old twin bed frame (or even just the mattresses) languishing in the basement can easily be transformed into a chic daybed with the addition of a pretty throw and an armful of pillows. The key to making it look more sofa-like is to cover the mattress with a fabric you would not normally find on a bed. A vintage Moroccan wedding blanket, a heavy linen throw or anything with pretty trim would be sublime.
Dress up your walls with dishes
Have a pile of pretty dishes hiding out in a dark cupboard? Bring them out where you can appreciate them by creating a wall display. Try incorporating one larger platter in the centre to anchor the arrangement.
Have a pile of pretty dishes hiding out in a dark cupboard? Bring them out where you can appreciate them by creating a wall display. Try incorporating one larger platter in the centre to anchor the arrangement.
Stop before you buy that changing table
Dressers (the long, low type) are usually the perfect height for use as a changing table and have the added bonus of ample storage in the drawers below. Later, simply remove the changing-pad top and fill the drawers with your little one’s clothes instead of nappies.
Dressers (the long, low type) are usually the perfect height for use as a changing table and have the added bonus of ample storage in the drawers below. Later, simply remove the changing-pad top and fill the drawers with your little one’s clothes instead of nappies.
Give mismatched accessories a cohesive look
Wondering what to do with the random assortment of vases, bowls and other trinkets unearthed from your attic? Assuming none are too valuable, try unifying the collection with a coat of white paint. When you are finished, group the items together in one spot (on a bookcase, for instance) rather than scattered throughout the room for the most impact.
Wondering what to do with the random assortment of vases, bowls and other trinkets unearthed from your attic? Assuming none are too valuable, try unifying the collection with a coat of white paint. When you are finished, group the items together in one spot (on a bookcase, for instance) rather than scattered throughout the room for the most impact.
Create a unique display space with a spare coffee table
Just because you bought that table to use in front of the sofa doesn’t mean that is the limit of its potential. Try using a coffee table (longer, narrower versions work best) pushed against the wall to hold artsy books or a pottery collection. Or use it as the focal point in a yoga or meditation corner with a candle and other special objects placed on top.
Just because you bought that table to use in front of the sofa doesn’t mean that is the limit of its potential. Try using a coffee table (longer, narrower versions work best) pushed against the wall to hold artsy books or a pottery collection. Or use it as the focal point in a yoga or meditation corner with a candle and other special objects placed on top.
Swap your current coffee table
Changing your coffee table is a quick way to freshen up your living room. Look around your home for things you might be able to use instead, such as a wooden or leather bench, a steamer trunk or a pair or stools or side tables.
Changing your coffee table is a quick way to freshen up your living room. Look around your home for things you might be able to use instead, such as a wooden or leather bench, a steamer trunk or a pair or stools or side tables.
Reuse architectural elements as decorative displays
If your basement or garage is crowded with old windows, doors and shutters, think about how you might use these creatively around the house.
Window panels can house photographs, or you can fasten them to a base to make a unique table. Shutters and doors can stand in for your headboard, while old brackets can hold up floating shelves.
If your basement or garage is crowded with old windows, doors and shutters, think about how you might use these creatively around the house.
Window panels can house photographs, or you can fasten them to a base to make a unique table. Shutters and doors can stand in for your headboard, while old brackets can hold up floating shelves.
Try those dressers in another room
Dressers are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture, providing both display space and storage. Try using one in the entryway with mail on top, scarves and hats in the drawers below.
Or put one in the dining room to use as a buffet, with linens housed in the drawers. If you are a crafter, try painting your old dresser with chalkboard paint and keeping supplies organised by writing with chalk on the drawer fronts.
Take a look at more brilliant ways to use chalkboard paint
Dressers are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture, providing both display space and storage. Try using one in the entryway with mail on top, scarves and hats in the drawers below.
Or put one in the dining room to use as a buffet, with linens housed in the drawers. If you are a crafter, try painting your old dresser with chalkboard paint and keeping supplies organised by writing with chalk on the drawer fronts.
Take a look at more brilliant ways to use chalkboard paint
Need more workspace? Use an old dining table as a desk
If you have an old dining table you no longer use, consider swapping it with your desk for more room to spread out. Also, be honest about how you use (and how you wished you used) your home. If you hardly ever use your formal dining room but seriously need more space to dedicate to your home business, why not give in and make your dining room the office? On the rare occasion you want to host a dinner party, you can always clear away your work materials.
TELL US
What is your best repurposing or budget decorating tip? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
Weekend Project: 9 Household Items Begging to Be Upcycled
French Houzz: Upcycling Paves the Way For a Funky Family Home
Nifty Thrifty: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
If you have an old dining table you no longer use, consider swapping it with your desk for more room to spread out. Also, be honest about how you use (and how you wished you used) your home. If you hardly ever use your formal dining room but seriously need more space to dedicate to your home business, why not give in and make your dining room the office? On the rare occasion you want to host a dinner party, you can always clear away your work materials.
TELL US
What is your best repurposing or budget decorating tip? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
Weekend Project: 9 Household Items Begging to Be Upcycled
French Houzz: Upcycling Paves the Way For a Funky Family Home
Nifty Thrifty: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
Bowls, creamers, cake plates and serving trays can all make fabulous organisers for everything from jewellery and make-up brushes to office supplies and mail.