Back in the day when I was home stager, my job required quite a lot of creativity and out-of-the box thinking.
Tight budgets often meant that we needed to use what the client had on hand to prepare a home for the market or complete the finishing touches on a room redesign project. Creative repurposing was the name of the game!
Today, I’m sharing some great examples of creative repurposing from around the blogosphere that you can use in your own home. I hope you find these repurposing/upcycling ideas inspiring…whether you are planning to sell, or you just love the idea of creating a new look using items that you already have.
5 Creative Repurposing Ideas for Home Staging & Redesign
1. REPURPOSING A DOOR TO CREATE A HEADBOARD
Would you believe that this gorgeous headboard was created from an old, dilapidated closet door? A piece of salvaged wood molding was added to the top to finish it out. Add a coat of fresh paint and voila, you have a gorgeous custom headboard.
Those repurposed shutters transformed into nightstands are definitely an added bonus.
2. REPURPOSING BASKETS TO CREATE A SIDE TABLE
(isn’t this outdoor space drool-worthy?)
Oftentimes when you create a new seating arrangement, it screams for an occasional table, but there aren’t any available in the home. Stacking attractive baskets that you already have on hand is an easy and inexpensive solution.
The baskets can also double as hidden storage to quickly stash away clutter in preparation for a house showing…just sayin’!
You can place a coffee table book or serving tray on top of the baskets to hold a beverage or to corral a vignette of pretty accessories.
3. REPURPOSING A MIRROR TO CREATE A TRAY
Here’s a great little repurposing trick that I’ve used several times!
Everyone seems to have a spare mirror or two tucked in the back of a closet or in the basement storage room. Pull them out, dust them off and use them as a tray on your coffee table, a bedroom dresser, or on your bathroom vanity.
Take this example. The reflective quality of the mirror makes such an elegant statement in the space, don’t you think?
4. REPURPOSING A TABLECLOTH TO MAKE DRAPERY PANELS
Drapery panels are awesome for introducing color, pattern, texture, and softness into a room. But they can be so darned expensive. Introducing a genius hack — create the look of expensive curtain panels by repurposing inexpensive tablecloths.
Would you believe that these gorgeous drapery panels were created from six-dollar tablecloths?
Just add drapery clips and a rod, and you’ve created a high-end designer look for not a lot of money.
Be sure to hang your drapery panels high and wide to nail down that designer look.
5. REPURPOSING A WINE RACK TO CREATE TOWEL STORAGE
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What a fun way to add a punch of color to a bathroom while simultaneously creating a functional storage solution. Use a wine rack to display towels (or washcloths in a similar fashion). Place on the floor adjacent to the tub or on top of a larger vanity.
So darned clever!
Have you completed a decorating repurposing project in your own home? Share the details of your transformation!
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Anne Maureen O'Connor says
Cute home office ideas?
Natalie Gallagher says
Hi Anne, I’m not sure I follow your comment.Are you saying that something in here would make a cute home office addition, or that you’d like to see cute home office redesign ideas?
Debbie Pendell says
When I had to stage our home, tablecloths were exactly what I used to make the curtains that I left in the home. I loved them so much, I wanted to take them with me.
Natalie Gallagher says
That’s awesome Debbie. You really can’t beat this economical solution!
Nancy Haworth says
I love these ideas, especially the wine rack repurposed as a towel holder! I will be sharing that idea with my organizing clients.
Natalie Gallagher says
I loved them all as well Nancy. So glad you found them useful!
Janet Barclay says
Wow, I love all of these. It makes me realize how unimaginative I am when it comes to my home.
Natalie Gallagher says
Just spend a few hours on Pinterest searching for repurposing projects and find one or two that will work in a space in your home. Always a fun way to pass the weekend!
Sarah Wake Davies says
Thank you for sharing your creativity……these are all awesome ideas! The wine rack one for towels I particularly love……I am going to steal it for my next staging gig 🙂 Continued greatness to you!
Natalie Gallagher says
Hi Sarah,
I wish I could take credit for all of these fantastic ideas…but I can’t! They are ideas culled from across the web that I’ve used at one time or another in staging and/or redesign projects. Feel free to steal away!
Thanks for stopping by the blog!