Repurpose vintage home decor goods because it looks cool–and because it’s better for the environment.

No matter what your decorating style, there is always room to repurpose vintage home decor goods to add both form and functionality. Whether your space can be more accurately described rustic, boho, modern country, Scandinavian, mid-century, or is actually just a mishmash of leftover college furniture and whatever your neighbors have put out on the curb, get inspired to repurpose with vintage home decor goods.

Almost everything can be reused or repurposed. From the ubiquitous mason jars to the more elusive letterpress type cabinets, and everything in between, all you need is a little imagination and inspiration to give vintage goods new life. You are on your own for the imagination part, but we have got the inspiration covered for you here!

Finding vintage goods is as easy as checking out your local thrift shops, estate sales, yard sales, CraigsList, Freecycle, and even Etsy and Ebay.

Repurposed Vintage Home Decor Goods

1. Picnic Coolers – Take the lid off (keeping it on could pose a risk for children and pets) and this 40-year-old Coleman Picnic Cooler could work as a great storage spot for everything from magazines and children’s books to yarn and recycling.

2. Pie Safes – Pie safes were used to keep pies and other baked goods fresh back in the days before refrigeration and air conditioning. This tin tabletop or counter version would add some vintage chic to your space and would be a clever place to store spices in the kitchen.

3. Vintage Mirrors – Glam up your space with the addition of vintage mirrors instead of buying new ones from some big box store. Pick a design period that will match well with your decorating style.

4. Old Maps – Looking to wallpaper a room or a to decoupage a piece of furniture? Consider using vintage maps instead. Or use old maps to create unique DIY wall art. Troll yard sales, barn sales, and more for unique map finds. This vintage pull down style school map would make for a real conversation piece.

5. Vintage Suitcases – Old suitcases can be repurposed in a number of ways. Use them as under the bed storage containers, turn a stack of them into a functional occasional table, or even use them as shelves for all your bric-a-brac and knickknacks.

6. Sewing Machine Tables – Old sewing machine tables are infinitely useful if you want to get crafty. They can be used for everything from bathroom vanities to a drink station like this repurposed example.

7. Metal Headboards – Metal bedsteads can be repainted and used as headboards or turned into decorative wall art, room dividers, used for hanging jewelry storage, or as a garden trellis.

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Images: Upcycled Luggage via The Blue Ram, Picnic Cooler via Troys Collectibles, Pie Safe via Red River Antiques, Vintage Art Deco Mirror via uulipolli, Vintage Map via old new house, Suitcase Shelves via the cherry chic, Repurposed Sewing Bar via Double Arrow Designs, Metal Headboard Trellis via Casa e Jardim

The post 7 Quirky Ideas for Repurposing Vintage Home Decor Goods appeared first on EcoSalon.

Looking to add some rustic home decor touches to your space? Look no further than these simple DIY ideas for adding rustic textures to your living spaces.

Rustic home decor is as simple as adding textures like wood, linen, burlap and more to your home. Here are some great ideas to help make that happen. Some are easier than others; all are worthwhile!

15 Rustic Home Decor Ideas to Add Texture to Your Space

1. Adding Vintage Fabrics – Use vintage fabrics like pillow ticking, quilt remnants, and homespun in DIY projects to add rustic texture to your spaces.
2. Butcher Paper Grocery List DIY – This project for making a butcher paper hanging to-do list is about adding both form and function.
3. DIY Rustic Magnetic Board – Add some industrial rustic texture by making a steel magnetic board with this project how-to.
4. Stump Table Tutorial – If you, or someone you know, is having a tree cut down, that’s the perfect opportunity to DIY your own rustic home decor stump table.
5. DIY Pallet Walkway – And rustic textures aren’t just for indoors. Use a pallet to create a practical and attractive rustic walkway.
6. How to Distress Wood – Want to get that distressed look for your wood projects. Here is a useful how-to.
7. Hemp Twine Lanterns – Sometimes you can add texture through simple additions like with this project for twine lantern balls.
8. Milk Crate Ottoman – Ever come across old milk crates at estate sales and in antique shops? Turn one into a practical ottoman with this tutorial
9. Birch Wood Candle Holders – Let there be light. Here’s a clever idea for making birch branch tea light holders.
10. Initial Stick Letter Wall Art – This is a project to add some rustic texture that is simple enough to do with the kids.
11. No-Sew Cotton Tea Towel Tutorial – Those striped cotton tea towels from Ikea that everyone seems to have would be great for this no-sew project.
12. Burlap Ruffled Valance – Add some texture with a sweet burlap window valance.
13. How to Age Wood – According to this how-to tea, steel wool and vinegar are all the tools need to age wood for your repurposing projects.
14. Twine-Wrapped Cabinet Hardware – Just about one of the simplest ways to add rustic texture to your kitchen.
15. DIY Pallet Frame – Make your own wood frames from old pallets.

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Image: Anthropologie

The post 15 Simple Ideas to Add Texture with Rustic Home Decor appeared first on EcoSalon.

Whether you call it shabby, farmhouse, country, cottage, or rustic chic, modern shabby chic is less of the stuffy, contrived style of the past and more of a modern lifestyle choice.

Many are choosing to repurpose, refinish and make do rather than purchasing new furniture and decor elements in their interior decorating.  It’s more about living a more sustainable life and creating a home that evokes rustic comfort and hominess.

With origins in the British and French countrysides (where it was called cottage and French countryside) rustic chic is about using what you have and whatever else you can find to reuse and repurpose. It’s a perfect decorating style for those who are environmentally and socially aware. The style happens organically as people make the decision to lead a less consumer driven life.

A lot of DIY is called for in creating this shabby chic look–it’s pretty much unavoidably linked to this decorating style. For some that sounds like lots of fun and they are ready to jump in with both feet.  If that doesn’t describe you, but you like the look and what your home decor to reflect your efforts to create a smaller footprint, we’ve put together tips to create a more modern and sustainable rustic chic look for your home.

Image: karapaslay

1. Quality and Not Quantity

In creating a modern rustic chic look, the key is quality and not quantity. Solid, well-made furniture, even if it’s showing it’s age, is more preferred to new. Make these sturdy pieces the foundation of each room.

Image: Wickerfurniture

2. Repurpose

Repurposing is reusing an item other than for its intended purpose. For example, using an old washtub as a magazine bin, an old bathtub as an outdoor planter or an old roll top desk as an undated bar station. Repurposing allows for creativity and is ultimately more sustainable.

3. Refinish

Let’s say you have an old bureau that is scratched, dented and faded. Instead of putting it out at the curb, considering refinishing it with a coat of paint. With rustic chic, wear isn’t considered something to hide away, but something to embrace and highlight.

Image: Wickerfurniture

4. Thrift, Yard and Estate Sales

While creating the rustic chic look, thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales and auction houses are going to be your best friends. Just remember the goal isn’t to fill your whole up with a bunch of knick knacks, gewgahs and tchotchkes for the sake of it like a collector would, but rather to lovingly and purposefully add pieces to your home that you can keep out of the landfill and from creating a demand for more and more consumer products.

Don’t be afraid to jump in; there really are no rules because the goal isn’t about creating a showroom home, but is more about creating a home that matches the sustainable life you are living.

Top Image: Post Road Vintage

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