Repurposed Home Decor

Examples of Repurposed Home Decor from Etsy

We all have them.  Home decor items that no longer serve their purpose, think Ariel with a drinking glass.  The desk that was supposed to help the family pay the bills that instead is a host to papers of all sorts in assorted stacks and piles.  The wreath that looked wonderful for a few months and then lost a few shades to the sun.  The question isn't whether we have them, but what to do with all these items that take up space and no longer serve their original purpose.

Repurposing means taking an item and redefining what it is used for either by using it in a different manner or giving it an overhaul.  This either takes loads of creativity or a nudge in the right direction.  These days repurposed items are hot commodities.  Why have the same old objects when you can have new products created with the old ones?!  Let your mind expand and your imagination run wild while we look through some creatively repurposed items found on Etsy.


repurposed spigot towel rack

Here before you is a work of art, a towel rack composed of spigots.  Since I personally cannot resist placing my towels on dresser knobs, what could possibly be better than instead placing my towel on a wonderful spigot?

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElijahsAttic



map wreath

You see an old atlas where another might see a stash of charm.  Why throw away what you can use?  This wreath was made with old maps, and you can do the same with an old atlas or even a book that has outlived its usefulness.  Rather than seeing these things as one more item taking up room, consider repurposing them as craft materials!

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Houseof3

repurposed spice rack vanity organizer

If you upgrade your spice rack, don't get rid of the old one.  You can use it in your bedroom or bathroom!  Repurpose your spice rack as a vanity organizer.  Hang earrings on the front for easy access and place nail polish, perfume bottles, and make up in the spice holder.  Excellent way to store your beauty items and an excellent reuse of old home decor!

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/packratdiva

suitcase nightstand

When is a suitcase no longer a suitcase?  When it's a table!  This vintage suitcase has been repurposed as a nightstand.  Not only can you dream of traveling beside such a classy piece of furniture, but you can also pack your bags . . . or your nightstand with plenty of books.  Storage and style!

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MrsRekamepip

Repurposed Home Decor = endless options

The options are endless for repurposing home decor.  An old coffee table can be painted to serve as a children's train table.  An old vanity can be sawed in half to create to seperate bedside tables.  Now, before you get ready to throw an household item away ask yourself if you can reinvent the item through repurposing!

Interior Design Tip: More Is Just More

The idea that 'less is more' is true, but the idea behind 'more is just more' takes this a step farther.  Sometimes people keep adding to their existing decor thinking that one addition is going to fix the room.  This new furniture item is going to complete the room, or this new painting will make the room look more unified.  However, this is often not the case and the newest item does not change anything.

More Is Just More
If a room has an underlying flawed design, no new purchase can alleviate the flaw.  The newest organization product will not fix a completely unorganized room.  The best sofa will not make a poorly designed living room look perfect.  While this may seem like bad news for some, when taken to heart this concept can save a person tons of money long term.

Purchase with a Plan
Rather than investing dollar after dollar into one item at a time just hoping that a room will magically fix itself, a person who really wants a room to change will realize that they need a plan.  The entire room may have to be redone, reorganized, and moved around, but this person will save a ton of money by not buying excess decor, furniture, and organizational tools.

Getting a Plan
Where does a room plan come from?  A determined person realizing that a room has a need for a makeover can work out a plan by considering each need of that particular room.  What feel does the room have?  What feel does the room need?  However, for the person who feels completely lost when considering completing such a task, an interior designer or decorator can help by assisting the person in planning out the room.  Design services that can help in completing a room design are floor plans, furniture and accessory selection lists, and a color scheme just to name a few.  Have a unifying thought behind a room and don't stop until that dream is realized.

Stick To the Plan
When considering new items, don't fall into your previous trap of purchasing an item that might make your room better.  You have a plan and you can easily decide whether the new item fits into your plan for your room.  If it will just be more . . . then let it be one more item filling that stores shelves and not in your room with a plan.

Friday Furniture Feature: Name Design Studio

Furniture Maker: Jo Supara Tarakci

Location:  Istanbul, Turkey

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/namedesignstudio

Portfolio: http://www.namedesignstudio.com/

Specialty: Upcycled and reupholstered antique and vintage furniture and decor with a patchwork flair

Friday Furniture Feature: Name Design Studio

Though beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, a person would have to be blind to not recognize the timeless elegance of Name Design Studio's patchwork furniture pieces.  Located in Istanbul, Turkey, Name Design Studio is headed up by Jo Supara Tarakci an interior architect.  Though established in 2010, her Etsy shop began earlier this year.  For those who discover her unique wares, their world will always have the potential to be a more colorful place.

The blue and white porcelain patchwork armchair stands out due to its bold contrast of colors.  The blue and white colors are reminiscent of traditional porcelain dinnerware.  This piece would not only make a statement in the living room of any home, but it would be a family heirloom for years to come!



Pink Green Armchair

Another stunning aspect of Jo Supara Tarakci's patchwork pieces is the choice of color.  In the pink green armchair, the rose hues are paired with meadow green, the accent colors include yellow, white, and taupe.  This shop is one of the best examples of an artisan that values attention to detail and the attention has paid off.

Unique Upholstery by Jo Supara Tarakci

In the world of upholstery, the tattered and worn is often replaced with new and unique patterns.  Most chairs are considered special to be graced with one unique and desirable pattern.  The upholstery products in Name Design Studio are perfectly balanced with an array of fancy fabrics and stunning designs.  If you are looking to bring a bit of spice to a corner or completely illuminate a room with a new sofa, consider purchasing a patchwork piece from Name Design Studio off of Etsy.com.



Friday Furniture Feature: Matthew Holdren Woodworking

Furniture Maker: Matthew Holdren

Location:  New Orleans, Louisiana

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/matthewholdren

Portfolio: www.flickr.com/matthewholdren

Specialty: Furniture and lighting made from reclaimed material salvaged from 100+ year old abandoned New Orleans homes



The French Quarter Bed



I found Matthew Holdren’s Etsy shop while browsing for unique local furniture.  His products are distinctive in that they are made from reclaimed material from old New Orleans homes.  The reuse of these materials is fantastic because instead of them being lost forever, they are being fashioned into furniture and lighting pieces that hold a part of the heritage of the New Orleans area.

The first piece that struck me as a great find was the French Quarter bed.  If you have ever been to New Orleans, then you know that intricate iron work laces the balconies of the French Quarter.  The French Quarter Bed has a headboard that is made up of some of this same ironwork.  This bed would make a statement in any room with the rich wood framing to the ornate ironwork.


Small Under Window Bookcase



I love small bookcases!  This being said, Matthew Holdren’s Etsy shop has the perfect size bookcase to go under a window.  The small bookcase made of reclaimed pine and has a stylishly rustic look.  This piece would be perfect in a dining room or kitchen for holding cookbooks or in a living room as a wonderful accent bookshelf.

Be sure to check out Matthew Holdren Woodworking’s Portfolio to see his custom projects.  Some other notable items from the portfolio are farm tables, lighting, and bathroom cabinetry.  Whether you are right next door to Louisiana or miles away, you can have a piece of New Orleans in your own home.  I hope you will fall in love with these awesome pieces of furniture as much as I have!