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Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Materials in Your Home | Upcycle!

By
Real Estate Agent with American Dream Realty- Broker Associate BRE#01420207

Do you love the shabby chic look? Then consider upcycling old building materials for your next interior decorating project. Not only is it good for the environment, it can also be easy on your wallet!

 

Retrofit Old Appliances 
Convert old appliances into functional furniture. Turn retro refrigerators into a funky storage cabinet or have that vintage oven refurbished and retrofitted with modern wiring.

Scrap Lumber 
Reuse wood destined for the scrap heap or fire pit by either remilling it to build distressed furniture pieces or, if it's beyond salvaging, have it ground up to be used as wood chips or mulch in your garden.

Doors and Windows 
Upcycle old windows and doors by using them as architectural details or converting them into interesting furniture pieces. Check out this slideshow for a few ideas to get you started.

Old Cabinetry 
Give those outdated kitchen cabinets a fresh coat of paint to update your kitchen for a fraction of the cost or reuse them in your garage, basement or attic for extra storage space.

Wood Flooring 
Go for a rustic look with reclaimed hardwood flooring "harvested" from old barns, factories and homes. Each individual board is sorted, de-nailed, kiln-dried, and planed after which tongue-and-grooves are added for installation ease.

Masonry and Concrete 
Reuse old masonry or concrete to build garden walls and walkways or have it ground up into gravel for your driveway. Old asphalt shingles can also be ground up and used as the base for driveways or parking pads.

 

 

Posted by

John Flaniken - Sell Santa CruzJOHN FLANIKEN
American Dream Realty
Broker Associate

831-334-0890 Direct
831-464-0565 Fax
www.sellsantacruz.com

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Kaycee Wegener
Rentec Direct - Grants Pass, OR

Hi John -  What awesome ideas!  Upcycling is a great way to get creative with leftover materials.  It truly is a way to turn trash into treasures!    

Oct 30, 2014 03:04 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Great tips recycling is something we don't always think about doing but we should. Thanks for sharing the tips.

Oct 30, 2014 03:36 AM
Trisha Bush-LeFore
Preferred Properties Land & Homes - Walla Walla, WA
Providing Realtor Services in the Walla Walla Area

John,

I think retro fit appliances are awesome. Thanks for all these great tips.

Oct 30, 2014 03:50 AM