The average American home contains over 300,000 items, according to The LA Times. That’s a wake-up call. I have been trying to be increasingly conscious of not buying things for my home just because they’re a good deal. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against living more comfortably and stylishly. I love to buy new but I also love to shop my home! Here are 8 ways to repurpose and reuse items you already have within your home is a fantastic way to save money, reduce waste, and add a personal touch to your home decor.
1. Decide what you need and what your style is
Figure out the interior design style that is most ‘you’ and what your essentials are for living comfortably and functionally in your house. Do a declutter and donate things that don’t fit those essentials. Then, look at what’s left around you – you’ll likely see what style comes through and be able to pull more of those things that you already own front and center to display proudly.
2. Shop your own home to repurpose and reuse!
Often, we have nice things to furnish and decorate our homes but just aren’t using them strategically. Need things for your walls? Look at your baskets, quilts, and even interesting placemats to create unique wall art. Need more storage? Turn an under-used dining hutch into a linen closet. Don’t have a nightstand for the guest room? An old dining chair or stool painted a fun color will work well.
3. Mend and Fix Your Pieces
Learn how to do some basic sewing to fix up your curtains, pillows, and bedding that needs hemming or fixing. Mend drawers that come apart with glue and nails, and have perfectly good appliances repaired so you can repurpose and reuse them when possible instead of buying the newest, latest model.
4. Look for vintage and antique solid wood pieces
Think about how our grandparents used to live and the fantastic furniture they had. Many of those pieces are hanging around today and are still the best quality pieces in our homes. Hang onto and cherish them. Look for tables, chairs, end tables, stools, dressers, bed frames, and benches at yard and estate sales, antique markets, or in your parent’s attic. You can repurpose and reuse, and even, upcycle and give them new life!
5. Find thrift stores or garage sale pieces and fix them up
Thrift or secondhand stores! Antique or flea markets! Oh my! You know the saying, “One’s man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Or in a woman’s case, a DIY or the perfect piece in her home! These are the perfect places to repurpose and reuse pieces that you find on your hunt! You can spray paint a dated brass lamp and recover an old shade. These are great places to find solid wood pieces. I also love finding kitchenware, dishes, and glassware.
6. Choose pieces that can do double-duty
Furniture that can pull double duty, such as a sofa bed or a coffee table with storage, maximizes space efficiency and functionality in a room. We don’t have to buy as much if the things we invest in can serve multiple purposes so they can be repurposed and reused in different spaces. For example, A low dresser could also be used as a nightstand. Wooden cutting boards can be both useful and decorative leaning against the backsplash. A trunk for storage could serve as your coffee table.
7. Decorate with nature
Decorating with natural elements like plants and wooden furnishings not only adds aesthetic appeal but also fosters a sense of well-being and connection to the natural world, aligning with holistic design goals. Look for natural outdoor beauty to decorate sustainably and organically. I love watching those Instagram reels where you will see a decorator taking branches or flowers from their garden taking them inside and putting them in a vase. It just makes my heart so happy! Birch branches in a corner are lovely. And of course, green plants feel luscious and inviting. Natural materials are so easy to repurpose and reuse within our spaces.
8. Get creative with how you repurpose and reuse pieces in your home!
When you want a change in your home decor, get creative and crafty instead of buying new décor. You can try rearranging the furniture, turning the books on your bookcase backward for a different look, or moving existing artwork to new spots.
In conclusion on how to repurpose and reuse what you already have in your home,
I love the idea that shopping your home, your local flea market, or your parent’s attic is where you might find the next piece that resonates with your soul. It just sounds so romantic. I think repurposing and reusing existing items in your home is not only an environmentally responsible approach but also a creative and cost-effective way to not only reduce waste, and breathe new life into your surroundings. It allows you to embrace sustainability while adding a personalized touch to your home. I hope that you feel inspired to try at least one of these 8 practical ways to repurpose and reuse your home decor within your spaces.
Let me know which one you are going to try in the comments below!
Love,
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