Recycled Chic: Turning Salvaged Items into Stylish Treasures

By Jennifer White, April 8, 2019

We’ve all heard the environmental benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling, but it doesn’t mean adding style to our interior spaces needs to take a backseat. Incorporating salvaged items into your home can show off your style while still protecting the planet.

Repurposing old pieces is an easy way to create unique décor. An old door, for instance, can be transformed into a headboard or an armoire. Even small and mundane items like buttons, old keys, and vintage jewelry can add character when grouped together in a shadow box frame.

Vintage pieces tend to be more durable than mass-produced items, so they tend to last longer and garner more attention. There’s even something romantic about a piece that’s been around longer than a brand-new item. It can give any space a timeless touch.

The beauty of reusing also conserves energy and resources that would otherwise be used to create new products. Plus, it’s as easy as visiting your local flea market or thrift store. Many items you find can be cleaned up or repurposed to fit your home’s décor in a way that is still both stylish and cost effective.

You can also look for sustainable furniture that uses reclaimed and/or responsible materials. Eco-friendly fabric, for instance, is designed with the needs of the environment in mind. Natural fabrics like wool, cotton, and linen are perfect options for green living, and they look great too.

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with finding a previously unwanted item and bringing it back to life in a new, beautiful form. And when you recycle and reuse pieces for your home, you’re reaching two goals at once: helping the environment and creating a stylish treasure.