So…. I care about the environment. I really do. I use reusable grocery bags, rarely buy bottled water and I recycle. I even try to incorporate eco-friendly living in my home decorating…. but not really because it’s green (that’s just a bonus).
I love repurposing in my decorating. It’s something I’ve always loved. Even when I was younger I loved turning something ugly into something cool. ENTER: marriage. My repurposing bug kicked into over-drive, but it was more out of necessity. We were young and poor but in-love. We’re still young and in-love… but just a little less poor. I basically decorated with whatever I could find that we already had or with what I could get at thrift stores/IKEA for cheap.
Now that we have a home with more rooms to fill, I’m glad I’ve learned to decorate on the cheap.
My friend Liz came over the other day and was getting some decorating inspiration for her very first apartment she’ll be having all by herself (sans roommies). She seemed to like a lot of my repurposing ideas, which made me think that maybe some of you would like them also, which then led me to decide that I should maybe post some of my favorites. So….here you go…. Design on a Dime a’la Lauren.
Pants hanger = Framing alternative
Recycled bricks = side table
Thrift store frames + paint + fabric = wall decor update
Tin can + scrap paper + magnet glued on back = pencil holder so I can finally find one when I need it
Belt + curtains = an easy way to tie back your drapes
Reclaimed wood + metal scraps + milk crates + handy husband = coffee table
If you live in the Portland area and like repurposing you should check out The Rebuilding Center. It’s quite possibly one of the greatest places ever. Here’s the link to their blog in case you’re looking for some repurposing ideas yourself.
Hope this gives you inspiration for how you can use things you already have lying around your house to make it a bit more home-y!
Yay for Fridays! Hope you all have a great weekend!
This was a great post! I love the brick side table, and the coffee table. Craig is so handy! Josh and I are still in that “young and poor” stage, and have no money for decorating, so it’s nice to see what someone else did on a very limited budget!
omg I love that coffee table. Matthew and I were just looking at one like that over the weekend but it was $500. He needs to get handy! haha
what a great idea! i love the brick side table and coffee table. 🙂
using bricks to form a side table? wow that idea sure is creative lauren! that side table really looks cute n certainly unique 😀
could you BE any more brilliant right now?!?! genius ideas. i would have never thought! clearly i need to get out more…
I love your blog!! And your ideas are really creative! I might steal the tin can pencil holder idea!