“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is an age-old saying that may be harsh, but it can definitely have some truth to it. In the spirit of spring cleaning and (hey, why not throw in another famous saying?) “out with the old, in with the new,” here are some ideas to turn garage sale finds and items seemingly lost in storage into fresh, functional home décor items.
Repurposing everyday items into bold statements can make big decorative impacts. Old doors, ceiling tiles, and window frames or shutters can end up on walls as modern art. Whether you pull old pieces out of storage, the family barn, or someone else’s yard sale, giving new life to a staple from yesteryear can decidedly bring it into today with a got-to-have-it feel. Wooden doors can be sanded and painted or refinished and hung as wall art, turned into a twist on a bed’s headboard, or connected together with multiple hinges and used as a louvered room divider. Antique ceiling tiles, whether simply cleaned up like new or spray painted with a glossy acrylic finish, can be turned into an eye-catching design item when hung in a cluster on the wall or assembled as a grouping on a mantle shelf. Window shutters or frames can serve as “framed” wall art or be turned into a side or coffee table with added legs or another base.
The same goes for side tables, benches, occasional chairs, and smaller items like serving trays, picture frames, and ceramics. Replace elements that are no longer functional or safe. Refinish and renew surfaces with some elbow grease and the appropriate mix of bold paint choices, fabric batting, and upholstery fabric to make an outdated piece nearly unrecognizable and yet totally desirable. What once graced your grandmother’s porch can be turned into a stylish entryway bench. A dated ceramic bowl can be reinvented and now hold a collection of jewelry on a dresser. Think about giving something new life and putting it to work in your home before you just give it the ol’ heave-ho.
Putting a fresh coat of effort on countless items that have seen their better days can make adding decorative pieces or furniture to your home a DIY budget saver. Look at pieces that may otherwise be headed for the trash with a creative eye to feel out their potential. Now what can you do with some basic tools, some paint, and some fabric?
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 20th.
