Decorating Guides
How to Stylishly Repurpose and Reuse Old Items in Your Home
Whatever your decor, repurposed and recycled items can bring an intimate touch to any space. Here are some DIY ideas
‘Old is gold’ is an old proverb that emphasises the value of old things: old objects do not become waste but more precious over time. This has translated into a way of life for many of us, inculcated in us by our parents and grandparents. Let’s take a serious step further and see how this philosophy extends into our home decor.
In any theme – rustic, contemporary, colonial or eclectic – repurposed and recycled products can adapt to different styles and offer a more personalised touch to spaces. Here are some insightful and, may I say, ingenious ideas.
In any theme – rustic, contemporary, colonial or eclectic – repurposed and recycled products can adapt to different styles and offer a more personalised touch to spaces. Here are some insightful and, may I say, ingenious ideas.
A wooden stool is an ideal and economical candidate for ‘quirky’ vanity tops for smaller spaces. Adorned with small ledges to hold products, the blue brick wall subtly complements the brass vessel sink on the wooden stool.
Recycled glass bottles as lamp fixtures
This is a fairly common DIY method – discarded glass bottles and the top halves of bottles can be reinvented as lamp fixtures.
This is a fairly common DIY method – discarded glass bottles and the top halves of bottles can be reinvented as lamp fixtures.
A string of bottle lights suspended over the dining table adds just the right amount of sparkle to celebrate intimate gatherings with friends and family. It also gives a festive feel all year round.
Repurpose old crockery
Many of us have a few pieces (like teacups or teapots) left from an old bone china or ceramic crockery set that we truly cherish and just can’t get ourselves to toss. One way to salvage and reuse old, chipped china is to grow your own herbs, flowering plants or succulents in them.
Many of us have a few pieces (like teacups or teapots) left from an old bone china or ceramic crockery set that we truly cherish and just can’t get ourselves to toss. One way to salvage and reuse old, chipped china is to grow your own herbs, flowering plants or succulents in them.
Tip: You can personalise planters by painting them. Unleash your creative streak on a lazy Sunday afternoon by making this a DIY project.
Learn more about how to transform teacups into planters
Learn more about how to transform teacups into planters
Create your own storage
Discarded wooden crates have found their way into homes as one of the most functional pieces of DIY furniture. These floating wall shelves can hold books or become a display unit to showcase the homeowner’s collection of prized items.
Discarded wooden crates have found their way into homes as one of the most functional pieces of DIY furniture. These floating wall shelves can hold books or become a display unit to showcase the homeowner’s collection of prized items.
Crates are versatile: they also make for interesting bedside tables. They look rustic, unique and are, indeed, very economical.
Here, crates have been used as outdoor patio furniture. Throw on some cushions and a crate will serve well as a sofa; leave it bare and it’s a centre table.
Panes and frames
Old windows and windowpanes that have a vintage look can be preserved and restored as framed pieces to adorn the walls.
Old windows and windowpanes that have a vintage look can be preserved and restored as framed pieces to adorn the walls.
Tip: Restored windows can be used as room dividers too. Install mirrors in each of these frames and you have a gorgeous customised partition cum framed mirror.
Windows can also be used to frame fabrics and paintings. To create this adorable sectioned work of art, prints of botanical plants replaced the panes.
Architectural details
Derelict external architectural details, such as corbels, can be repurposed to make wall shelves.
Derelict external architectural details, such as corbels, can be repurposed to make wall shelves.
Here, the low shelf is made of a repurposed corbel and a salvaged wood top. Corbels are a thing from the past and often seen on heritage buildings. There is a certain charm attached to them and they look stunning when paired with a minimalistic, solid-coloured wall.
Innovate with everyday items
An old sewing-machine is transformed into a little island for this kitchen, where it holds a roll of tissue, cutlery and kitchen knives.
An old sewing-machine is transformed into a little island for this kitchen, where it holds a roll of tissue, cutlery and kitchen knives.
Here again, an old sewing machine is repurposed as a dining table and a crate is installed on the wall as a bookshelf.
Repurposed headboards
Shutters and old door frames can be considered as substitutes for commercialised headboards. These can be a sturdy, one-of-a-kind option. Repaint them and install them on the wall behind your bed.
Shutters and old door frames can be considered as substitutes for commercialised headboards. These can be a sturdy, one-of-a-kind option. Repaint them and install them on the wall behind your bed.
This regal dwaar (door) headboard was designed using repurposed wood. The designers drew inspiration from period Indian architecture that had massive, imposing doors at the entrance to a haveli (mansion).
Recycled pipes
Derelict pipes in decent condition can be salvaged and painted with anti-corrosive paints and used as a framework to support shelves or low tables.
Derelict pipes in decent condition can be salvaged and painted with anti-corrosive paints and used as a framework to support shelves or low tables.
You can be innovative and use broader cut-out pipes as wall-mounted planters for the balcony. Ensure the base is perforated to allow drainage of excess water.
Restore old doors
Old doors can be also be recycled as sliding doors for bathrooms and other areas. You can fix a top-hung railing system at the entrance to create a unique slider. Ensure that it has plenty of space on either side to slide to.
This idea is a real space saver in smaller homes or bathrooms where there isn’t much room for one to push open a door.
Old doors can be also be recycled as sliding doors for bathrooms and other areas. You can fix a top-hung railing system at the entrance to create a unique slider. Ensure that it has plenty of space on either side to slide to.
This idea is a real space saver in smaller homes or bathrooms where there isn’t much room for one to push open a door.
Recycle burlap sacks
Burlap fabric doesn’t necessarily have to go to waste – you can reuse it in many ways, like creating makeshift curtains for your windows. They let in a reasonable amount of light without completely darkening the rooms.
Burlap fabric doesn’t necessarily have to go to waste – you can reuse it in many ways, like creating makeshift curtains for your windows. They let in a reasonable amount of light without completely darkening the rooms.
Accessorise a corner just for memories’ sake
If there are things that are still lying around the house that you cannot incorporate into your decor, then just go ahead and create a corner with them in your home just for the sake of preserving memories. Decorate the walls with vintage crockery. Stack travel trunks to create storage and line up those beautiful, rustic frames.
Read more:
Living on rent and on a budget? Transform your unsightly kitchen
Why restored wood is the new ‘it’ material for homes
Tell us:
Do you have any innovative DIY ‘repurposing’ and ‘restoration’ ideas? Do share your stories with us in Comments below.
If there are things that are still lying around the house that you cannot incorporate into your decor, then just go ahead and create a corner with them in your home just for the sake of preserving memories. Decorate the walls with vintage crockery. Stack travel trunks to create storage and line up those beautiful, rustic frames.
Read more:
Living on rent and on a budget? Transform your unsightly kitchen
Why restored wood is the new ‘it’ material for homes
Tell us:
Do you have any innovative DIY ‘repurposing’ and ‘restoration’ ideas? Do share your stories with us in Comments below.
Old dressers can be restored as vanities for powder rooms. The distressed finish on this vintage dresser is perfect for colonial or traditional themed bathrooms. Plus the drawers can be modified to hold the pipes and other plumbing fixtures, if not your other accessories.