Thursday, June 21, 2012

Reuse Repurpose Upcycle Recycle What You Already Have

Reuse Repurpose Upcycle Recycle What You Already Have. 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone. Out of curiosity, have any of you thrown things away that you wish you hadn't? Maybe thrown something out, and later realized that maybe it could have been saved by reusing it in another way. Sometimes we have treasures in our homes, right in front of us, that we can use in other ways for our homes, gardens, offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, home decor, and just sooo many ways to upcycle items. 

I myself really enjoy repurposing, and upcycling pieces I find around the home. It is more cost effective doing this, for those who are into being green, saves on filling the landfills, and better yet it becomes a one-of-a-kind piece in our homes too. Another good reason to repurpose is because the pieces you find in your homes already have their own character, patina, and details. Newer pieces would not have these characteristics. Keep in mind that some of the older pieces were better made than some of the newer pieces of today too. So, before you consider buying something new have a look around your home. Look at pieces closely, and consider pieces that you could reinvent with. You might have some pieces that maybe need just a little updating to them. Maybe it's some material, little bit of gluing pieces together, giving a touch of paint to it, maybe some new hardware, and so on. Look at things, and then have fun reinventing them back into useful pieces to enjoy that will last too. 

Take for instance maybe that old tv armoire that you think you should get rid of. Why not convert it to maybe some sort of kitchen pantry, a microwave cart, add a rod to it and make a mini closet for your child to hang coats, costumes, and things like that. 

Hang on now. Don't get rid of that old dining room table. There are some possibilities there you know. Consider cutting down the legs, and maybe making a coffee table that you were wanting. If the table top is good maybe add it to another table, make another table, etc. The legs could be cut, and made into some really nice candle holders around the home too.

Another thing we find often that we rid ourselves of is dressers. There is sooo much that could be done with those as well. Great pieces to use in organizing a room in the home. Remove the drawers if they are bad, and add some plastic or decorative containers in place of that. Maybe use it in the bathroom to make a vanity for it. 

Some of them fabric bathroom shower curtains you want to get rid of...hang onto those maybe too. They are water resistant, worked great in the bathroom, so why not use them outside for some of your cushion covers. 

Please keep in mind that I am not in anyway telling you to go out, and do exactly as I have mentioned to do here. I am suggesting that maybe before we throw something, or get rid of something from our homes, and especially before buying new . . . maybe consider some of the items to be repurposed, upcycled, and reused in other ways. Nearly everything can have a second life if we allow it. Seeing beyond what these items are, to what they can be could really be fun to do too!:) Don't forget how it can be a money saver as well.

If you have anything you have done, anything you would like to share, I would love to hear it! I so enjoy repurposing, and being creative. Sometimes hearing from others will also spark something for me to create in yet another way too. Yes, I do online sales, have done so since 2004, and have mostly done vintage collectibles too. Over time I felt like there was something missing, and I wanted more. Repurposing, and upcycling has been so much fun. I enjoy thrifting, and seeing pieces with all kinds of possibilities. 

Hey, thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone. Hope you enjoyed this little tid bit as well. Take care, and hurry back to visit again soon. 

 

2 comments:

  1. I really like the ideas, appreciate a lot..thanks for wonderful ideas Reuseable Containers

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  2. Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Happy that you found a discussion that was helpful to you. Thanks again, good luck, and have a super week!:)

    Kim
    LilacsNDreams

    ReplyDelete