Get Creative and Upcycle
If you’re environmentally conscious then during winter you might have taken a number of steps such as keeping your thermostat at a reasonable level and perhaps even investing in boiler cover to keep your system in top condition. However, summer is here and a great way to save your money and be green is by upcycling items you have around your home that may no longer be of use. There are almost endless possibilities when doing this so why not start to think about how you could spruce up your home with some unique items? Here are a few ideas we think you might like to try for yourself.
Give an old Suitcase a new purpose
If you have an old leather suitcase and have since replaced it with a more modern and sturdy option then you might like to think about finding a new purpose for it before letting it out of your grasp. One idea you could try is to turn it in to a quirky chair. This can easily be achieved by attaching four wooden legs and then opening it up and filling it with appropriately sized cushions – it could make a great corner chair for your bedroom.
Suitcase Chair
Make a Skateboard Bench
If you’re a skateboarding fan – or know someone who is – then re-using old decks to make an outdoor seat might be something you’d like to give a try. Remove the wheels from the boards (four is an ideal number to have) as the undersides will make two seats and a tabletop. It’s sure to be an addition to your outdoor space that proves a talking point with people both young and old.
Skateboard Bench
Give VHS boxes a second chance
Most people have long since stopped purchasing VHS and with many Britons having made the switch to DVD or Blu-ray players you might find your old movies are left gathering dust. And while the tapes themselves may no longer have much use, that’s not to say the same necessarily applies to the boxes they are stored in. If you’re looking for some unique storage for your nick-nacks then why not screw it in to the wall. You could leave the retro movie sleeve inside, or if you prefer, replace it with an image of your own to create an unusual frame.
VHS Mini Frame
Save Up your Bottles
There’s no reason why bottles can’t continue to serve a purpose in your home long after the last drop has been consumed. One of the simplest ways to use them is as a candle holder on your table, but if you want to be a little more creative there are other options. Covering the outside with paper can turn a bottle in to an attractive vase, while slipping a photograph inside can be a great way to display a treasured moment. If you’re going for a slightly nautical theme then you might also wish to place some small shells or sand inside along with it.
Old Vase
Restyle your Clothes
You don’t need to be a fashion expert to be able to breathe a little new life in to your old clothes, although some basic sewing skills can certainly help you be more experimental. Summer is a great time to freshen up your wardrobe and think about whether any items could be given a new appearance before being passed on or thrown away. Sometimes simply cutting off the sleeves of an old t-shirt or turning it in to a vest is enough, but on other occasions you may prefer to be more adventurous with the sewing machine. You might also like to take a look at some of the blogs dedicated to doing this.
Shutterstock
Being green and upcycling doesn’t have to be a difficult task and if you’re a creative sort then you might find yourself enjoying thinking up new uses for old things.
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