Upcycling Trash? Repurposing? Double Duty-ing? Thrifting?

It’s a way of life.

Or, maybe it’s an obsession. I suppose it depends on who’s describing it.

Upcycling trash isn’t as bad as it sounds.

We throw away so much trash. We can’t upcycle it all, but why not some?

  • Good for the environment (I’m not a tree hugger, just responsible.)
  • Good for the pocketbook (It’s rewarding to save a buck!)
  • Good for you (It’s fun to own original creative works of art and one of a kind decor!)

Here are some examples from my recent post Craft Room Closet Makeover.

Old Box Springs – cut them off and use to hang projects on a wall. (I’ve seen them hold candles too.)

Upcycle Trash! {Love My DIY Home}

Rusty bed springs turned home decor. {Love My DIY Home}

Don't throw everything away! Re-purpose that trash. {Love My DIY Home}

Upcycle your old outdated decor! {Love My DIY Home}

Ningxia Red packing materials turned paint supplies – use to hold up your painting project or as a spray paint caddy, brush holder or paint stick propper-upper. I’m pretty messy when I paint, so these come in handy. I have a stack of them at the ready. I use the actual box to hold my projects up off the grass when I paint outside.

Repurpose your Ningxia Red packaging {Love My DIY Home}

Repurpose your Ningxia Red packaging {Love My DIY Home}

Repurpose Ningxia Red packaging {Love My DIY Home}

Canned vegetable box & crib sheet – use the cut up boxes from the store to hold up your paint project (little contact makes it easier to paint) and then just throw it away when you are done. Use old crib sheets to cover your little collapsible table.

Don't throw everything away! Re-purpose that trash. {Love My DIY Home}

Old Photo Frames can be made into all sorts of home decor and craft room storage pieces.

Upcycle old unused picture frame into a craft room tool holder {Love My DIY Home}

Spray Painted deskOld ugly furniture can be transformed, perfect for inside the closet (This used to be bright blue!)

Spray painted desk for a new craft closet. {Love My DIY Home}

 

How about using things from around the house, or thrifting and garage saling rather than buying new, or decorating with common household tools?

Shadow Box this was a project from days gone by that was toted from house to house, too sentimental to toss (made by my DH), too dated to use.

Upcycle your old outdated decor! {Love My DIY Home}

It’s amazing what a coat of paint will do for an outdated wood piece.

Don't throw everything away! Re-purpose that trash. {Love My DIY Home}

Upcycle your old outdated decor! {Love My DIY Home}

Jar/roller/shelf/white jar/clip board/IKEA rod/paint brushes
    1. Mason jar filled with flower arranging stones from IKEA for a pen holder (I gave this stuff to my mom a couple of years ago and she never used it)
    2. Paint roller hung as a decorative piece (one of my b’day gifts this year)
    3. Spray painted thrift store wire shelf (been sitting on a shelf waiting to be used for a couple of years)
    4. Thrift store milk jar for a succulent planter (been looking for this for a year and just found it)
    5. A decorative clipboard (From TJMaxx) to hang on the
    6. IKEA rod above the desk
    7. Paint brushes – I display lots of paint brushes around the room to add flavor.

Upcycle, thrift shop, re-purpose! {Love My DIY Home}

Upcycle, thrift shop, re-purpose! {Love My DIY Home}

 

Upcycle, thrift shop, re-purpose! {Love My DIY Home}

 

IKEA bar for craft room storage {Love My DIY Home}

 

Let me challenge you.

Obviously you won’t be using the same items to decorate, but you have your own pieces to change, use or repurpose. Look around. Be constantly aware of what you have or see around you.

Get creative, save money and be unique.

How do you upcycle/repurpose/reuse/recycle?

Be amazing.

Val @ Love My DIY Home

1 thought on “Upcycling Trash? Repurposing? Double Duty-ing? Thrifting?”

  1. Great ideas, Val!  I love the one about using packaging material for painting!  I am the absolute MESSIEST painter-ever!  That's according to my hubby, of course!!  Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

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