JOIN USIf you are someone who makes it a point to use both sides of the paper or folds away wrapping paper and packing material for later use, then read on. Swati Kapur has a lot of tips for you.
If you are planning to give your home a new look with reused material, you’ll realise that all it takes is just a bit of creative thinking and some old, perhaps forgotten stuff to come up with interesting home decor items. Don’t throw old beads, fabric bits, laces, wood shavings and hangings, as they can now be a part of your savings.|
* Drill holes in bricks to make a unique candle holder or a handy niche for a small plant or cactus. Colour the brick and decorate with pebbles, wood shavings or simply a solid blends of colours.
* Old louvered panel doors or shutters can be easily transformed into shelves — just add brackets. Paint, add nails or pegs and mount on a wall to use for a cool craft or accessory organiser.
* Use your leftover papers and fabrics to wrap small gifts or wine bottles, to dress up a table with place cards or napkin rings, or to cover books.
* Reuse your ribbon and buttons to revive an old shade, pillow or curtain using nothing more than fabric glue.
* Buttons make nifty end caps for plain wall pegs. You can also use them to cover screw holes in bookshelves or line them along a shelf edge for a decorative finish.
*There is a wealth of goodies in a bathroom. Old towel racks make great additions to closets. Drape with ties or scarves, or add shower curtain rings to hang accessories.
*In the laundry room or workshop, pump-spray cleaners and cleaning rags hang perfectly from towel racks, and so do hammers and other tools. Just decorate them a bit or add some sparkle paint.
*Old tins and boxes can be converted into bins and trash cans or pen or brush holders. Wrap them up in colourful sheets or paint them in cool colours.
* Since it’s designed to withstand heat and humidity, a towel rack makes a great outdoor space for hanging potted herbs. nWhile you’re at it, drop your old toothbrush holder into a large vase and use as a flower frog.
* An old rusted bathroom trash bin can be used as a patio planter. As it weathers, the look and feel will only mature.
* Glass vases or chipped drink glasses can be transformed into beautiful tiny terrariums.
* Old magnets can be attached to potholders to hang in easy reach from any metal surface in your kitchen, or stick them inside the medicine cabinet to keep tweezers, clippers or other small items at hand.
* Use pillar candleholders to collect change, plant small plants or use them as jewellery organisers.
* Definitely try this one out: Transform old suitcases into cosy pet beds. Either remove the top lid or cut through to make for breathing windows if it’s a leather or cloth suitcase. Fill it up with cosy warmers and jump in your pet.
* Old colourful wine bottles can turn into beautiful flower holders instantly.
Weddings and house warming can result in duplication or over accumulation of linens. Pick up the best and get them quilted to use as a comforter quilt.
* Tiles can be painted and drilled to fit a clock’s needles. Old CDs or boards too can be made to tick tock.
* Old bird cages are perfect to hang. You can also use them to hold candles and diyas.
* Don’t know what to do with the broken pearls and stone strings. Bead them into a new earring with wires or stitch them onto a cushion cover or napkin holder.
* Old tablas or drums can be painted and decorated or simply veneered to serve as a showpiece.
* Old towels can be turned into aprons.
* With Christmas coming up, old socks can definitely play a big role around your living room. Decorate them and stuff them with your children’s favourite items. They will make for a very warm and inviting show piece and definitely be the talk of the season with your guests.
* Use colour paper or leftover wrapping paper to make some streamers at home. Just cut those papers into bit-sized pieces of different shapes. String them up in a thread, and you have colourful streamers made out things lying in your home.
* For children’s parties, making colourful paper fans is really easy, and you can paste them on the walls or pin them on curtains for a simple but elegant look. You jazz them up by drawing designs on them with glitter pens or glow paint.
* Bring home glow paints in various colours and use them to paint motifs on paper and tape them on your walls and ceiling.
* If you are into collecting sea shells, put them to use at a beach-themed party. String up rows of tiny shells to make streamers or curtains, and put the bigger ones on display. You could similarly use small Christmas tree ornaments to introduce the same effect.