Is there anything more rewarding in the DIY world than using reclaimed materials to make something? Seriously. A dejected object on a layover to a landfill is spotted by a keen eye. The object is swooped up and turned into something marvelous, getting a second chance on life and love. (We should all be so lucky.) The reclaimed materials featured in these 20 projects were the main characters of such fairytales. They now act as inspiration to us all…and hope for those yet unclaimed materials awaiting a keen eye to spot them.
Starting outdoors, we have an old screen door used as a trellis. Looks like the screen was replace with chicken wire.
Four doors make up the majority of this sweet little DIY garden shed.
I adore this backyard getaway from BHG, who offer a downloadable PDF of the layout for the framework.
I don’t know about your recycle store, but mine is full of cast-off chandeliers. Turning one into an outdoor, solar light fixture is on my to-do list. Click here to see how to make one yourself.
Did that little four-door garden shed remind you of a phone booth? With the right kind of old doors (French), we can make one of those too. This one just needs a couple of coats of red paint to make it legit.
Going outside, check out this hall tree, which was made out of a reclaimed door and old sewing machine table. A rescue twofer? Even better. Visit Refresh Restyle to see how it was done.
Need a long bench? Perhaps a window seat with storage? Keep your eye out for upper kitchen cabinets–the kind that go above a refrigerator. They’re the perfect height as a base for such an installation.
Our last project found its home in a playroom, as would our next project. In this case a play kitchen made out of an old upper kitchen cabinet. Perfection.
A bunch of old doors make uup the bulk of this kitchen island.
If that island was a bit too rustic for you, then Chris’s filing cabinet kitchen island could be a perfect option. Click here to see how he made it.
From old doors to old windows, this side table has a definite sea-side vibe.
For a much more mid-mod look, a small metal filing cabinet is just the ticket to make this sweet side table. Visit BHG to see how it was made.
If you need a taller table, in this case standing desk arrangement, it makes perfect sense to used only lower kitchen cabinets.
Standard-sized desk? We have that covered too. In this case, the desk’s sawhorse legs were made out of an old pallet and the top a vintage door topped with a sheet of glass. Click here to see how it was made.
When work is over, how about meeting up at the bar..made out of an old door?
This campaign dresser used to be seriously goofy. That’s because it used to be an goofy filing cabinet. Visit The DIY Mommy to see it before…if you dare.
For a cabinet of a hanging variety–perfect for added bathroom storage–an old window is the way to go.
If you’re like me and love transom windows but have none in your house, we can get the transom vibe by hanging an old long window in a strategic way. Clever!
Room dividers are an underutilized decor item, but not if you’re Diane, who has made several. Click here to see how she makes them.
Speaking of room dividers, this wall-of-windows delineates a wide open space without sacrificing any natural light coming from the windows. (Adore.)
