REPURPOSING
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When used imaginatively, ordinary items can have practical magic. Here’s some inspiration for employing everyday household goods in unusual—and helpful—ways.
Before you stock up on cleaning products loaded with chemicals, take a peak inside your pantry. Chances are you have these items that make excellent natural house...
With a minimal amount of research, phone time, or legwork, you can nab plenty of household essentials for free.
Save cash and protect the environment by doing the right thing with your outmoded cell phone, tablet, and other gadgets.
Garage sales are go-to destinations for bargain hunters and antiques aficionados in search of one-of-a-kind pieces to complete their home or wardrobe. But make a ...
While it’s true that spare change—those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters that seem to multiply in your pockets—doesn’t stretch as far at the grocery store as...
Life is expensive. Between the mortgage, insurance, car payments, and unexpected repairs, homeowners have a lot of money going out. It’s understandable, then, tha...
Cross-sections of a tree branch are all that keep you away from a house full of one-of-a-kind rustic, woodsy decor.
These days, it seems everything is made to be thrown away. Disposables litter our kitchens, closets, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, and the barrage of trash shows ...
We all know that plastic isn't exactly eco-friendly, so if you want to do your part to protect the planet, the best course of action is to reduce the amount of pl...
While the thought of destroying a hardcover tome might make some book lovers squirm, there does come a time when an old, musty, or damaged book may have outlived ...
Bobby pins are the unsung heroes of beauty tools. The tiny clips can hold braids, pin back bangs, and give extra lift to a ponytail, but did you know that they ha...
Bubble wrap is a great material for packing, but it has a lot of other, very practical uses. When you get a box with bubble wrap in it, resist the urge to pop it ...
In nearly every bathroom, you'll find at least one package of dental floss, whether it’s waxed, unwaxed, monofilament, or multistranded. Believe it or not, that l...
Even greenhorn green thumbs know that applying compost to soil helps plants fight erosion, pests, and disease. But we...
Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Many municipalities, for instance, offer freebies that go way beyond the occasional refrigerator magnet, key chain...
Open your medicine cabinet and you'll probably find several half-filled bottles of fingernail polish. Before tossing the containers, try one of these 10 unusual h...
By now maybe you've seen Dr. Bronner's Castile soap in the personal hygiene aisle at your local grocery or health food store. While Castile soap isn't new—it's be...
Composting is an affordable way to nab food for your plants while reducing waste in your home or apartment and in loc...
Plain white rice is an easy, tasty accompaniment for almost any dinner. But uncooked rice has a host of household uses you may never have thought of. Scroll throu...
Don't trash that dead telephone, scrap that torn sweater, or haul that lifeless bed frame to the junkyard just yet! As these functional and fanciful projects prov...
Introduced in the 1920s, the original Q-tips were merely wooden sticks with cotton wrapped around one end. Today, the improved two-sided version with its flexible...
More than simply a quick fix for leaky pipes, cracked windows, or torn fabric, duct tape can also lend its versatility and durability to your original DIY creatio...
Ah, your coffee machine! It’s your daily savior first thing in the morning—because does anything smell better than a fresh-brewed pot of coffee? But the appliance...
You already know the value of spices for giving the dishes you love that perfect savory or sweet taste, but you may not know that many of the spices found in your...
Cinder blocks may used as the material for load-bearing walls or in the foundation of a house, but their sturdy, heavy composition and stackable design also make ...
Maintaining a home can be pricey. Between furnishing the interior, keeping up with regular maintenance, and improving curb appeal, costs can skyrocket. But there’...
Drinking straws seem to have only one purpose, but they have become a DIY darling. It’s not hard to see why: They’re produced in an endless range of fun colors an...
From vertically sprouting succulent gardens to converted colanders that bloom with living greens, these unconventional homemade planter projects require only a ca...
“Leftover wine” may seem like a freak of nature, a mythical beast along the lines of fairies and unicorns. But sometimes, even the most dedicated oenophiles simpl...
When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade—clean house, instead! This versatile fruit can freshen every corner o...
Bungee cords aren’t just for securing luggage and equipment. Bungees—those stretchy elastic bands covered in a woven cotton or polypropylene sheath, with metal ho...
Most homeowners’ desk drawers conceal dozens of paper clips in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Fortunately, you can put these tiny metal fasteners to work...
When is the last time you cracked open an ice-cold Coke? If you're like two-thirds of Americans, it's probably been a...
Plastic cups are incredibly cheap and convenient, but most of them end their lives in landfills across the country. Rather than pitching the disposable beverage h...
You already know toothpicks are great for holding sandwiches together and for cleaning under your fingernails in a pinch, but you probably don’t know how these ti...
After a satisfying weekend of decluttering, homeowners are often faced with an ominous pile of unwanted items. Before dropping everything off at a thrift store—or...
Ice cubes can transform any beverage into a refreshing treat. But did you know that ice has myriad practical uses beyond chilling your drink? Ice can solve a bevy...
Despite our greatest efforts to minimize our use of plastic grocery bags by opting for reusable shopping bags, that pesky plastic always has a way of ending up in...
Most people associate chalk with elementary school blackboards and sidewalk hopscotch games, but chalk can be a surprisingly handy helper to have around the house...
Look in pretty much any medicine cabinet and you’ll probably find a tub of Vaseline. The gelatinous substance—also known by the generic term “petroleum jelly”—was...
Though small and unassuming, a tiny tube of Chapstick packs a lot of utility into its minuscule proportions. Whether brand-name or generic, lip balm can do so muc...
Reading the morning newspaper is a relaxing ritual for many people, but unfortunately, this admirable habit results in the waste of a lot of paper. Rather than si...
When you take on a tiling project, it's always a good idea to buy about 10% more than you'll need for the job—just in...
Why doom single-use cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, and grooming essentials to the trash? With inspiration from these 13 DIYs, you can repurpose everyday dis...
Before sending a bag of old sweaters to the thrift store, try repurposing them in creative new ways.
The next time you're making a grocery list, be sure to add cleaners to your must-buys. Only on this trip to the store, you'll never have to set foot in the commer...
Before you make your next shopping list, shop your home for some of these ingenious household supplies. From the garden to the bathtub, these zero-dollar solution...
Socks seem to just disappear in the dryer, leaving you with an ever-growing supply of unmatched socks. But there’s no need to despair when you're left with a sock...
From searing a steak to piecing together the perfect kebabs, manning the grill is a juggling act. For BBQ-ers without...
Construction pros and savvy do-it-yourselfers who have purchased a Trim Puller for a demo job know how quickly, cleanly, and efficiently it removes and salvages t...
Cat owners love to spoil their pets, and why wouldn’t they? These cuddly companions with big personalities won’t make...
When A Farm of Your Home's blogger Melissa Barrett first moved to Australian city of Perth, her backyard was a tiny d...
The struggles of sharing a home aren't limited to arranging furniture or dividing up a chore chart among the househol...
Looking to enhance your backyard escape with little more than an hour-long DIY project? Consider the charm of an acce...
Putting a dent in your home improvement to-do list can often put an even bigger dent in your wallet. But these 21 humble DIY projects reduce, reuse, and reimagine...
Remember twisting the dial of your combination lock to retrieve a textbook from your high school locker? Well, you're...
Don't toss all that scrap wood left over from your last DIY adventure! Instead, put it to good use building one of these fun and functional projects for your home.
From clearing clogged drains to filling nail holes, maintaining your home can seem like a MacGyver-esque challenge—but it doesn't have to be this way. Make light ...
Before you drag those mismatched shelves, broken chairs, worn-out sofas, or just plain ugly eyesores to the curb, check out these creative examples of repurposed ...
Paintbrushes aren’t just for painting anymore! In fact, even if you don’t have a painting project in your future, you may want to stock up on paintbrushes the nex...
Rub-a-dub-dub, soap is great for a scrub! But bar soap is handy to have around for many reasons that go far beyond the bathtub. It can serve as a lubricant, fresh...
Whether or not you have a slight shoe obsession, it seems that everyone has an abundance of old shoeboxes taking up space in the closet. Put those sturdy cardboar...
Aah, candles—whether you enjoy them for their soothing scents or simply for their ambience, these small luxuries have a place in almost every home. But after the ...
Single-use kitchen gadgets—garlic presses, juicers, and vegetable peelers—all do their jobs exceedingly well, but eve...
Is your old flooring carpeted in style— or in dirt, grime, and other relics of time? Modernize it by ripping out any ...
Duct tape is an extremely durable and versatile product that can be used to mend, patch, hem, and more. Here are 12 ways that you can put a roll of this ubiquitou...
From patching holes in drywall to removing bathtub rust spots, aspirin has some surprising household uses beyond the medicine cabinet. Next time you're looking to...
Struggling to create order in the chaos of a full house? These 18 space-smart DIY furnishings and home accents will help you manage your humble home in an ultrafu...
Power sanders are incredibly useful—and incredibly expensive. The smallest versions, called detail sanders, allow you...
The fall season has been mild this year, but chilly temperatures are right around the corner, especially with the off...
While you hardly ever venture to the paint section of your hardware store without a specific job in mind, one of its ...
There’s no place for tarnished silver on the holiday table, especially not when company is due for dinner. But if rem...
Let’s face it, appliances don’t last forever. And when they bite the dust, we’re left wondering how to dispose of them. Here’s an idea: don’t! Instead, try one of...
Your holiday spirits may be high when the champagne and the conversation is overflowing, but after the guests leave, ...
The versatility of olive oil is virtually limitless. Called "liquid gold" thousands of years ago in ancient Greece, i...
Think a coffee filter is only good for brewing your morning cup of joe? Think again! Disposable paper coffee filters are great multitaskers around the house, used...
Unplanned guests can throw off even the most seasoned holiday host or hostess. Between checking on the turkey, wiping...
Soggy sandwiches, messy leftovers, and dried-out cheeses have been a thing of the past since the 1960s, thanks to the invention of a ubiquitous kitchen staple: th...
Irons aren’t just for the laundry room anymore. There are plenty of unusual ways to put this wrinkle remover to good use, whether it's for candles, crafts, or cle...
Maybe you’re a new homeowner, still unsure about what tools and supplies you need to own. Perhaps you've just downsized to a tiny house or apartment, and you’re l...
Every year at least 1 billion used toothbrushes end up in landfills, adding to the more than 50 million tons of trash...
The trash can doesn't have a lot of positive imagery associated with it, especially when it comes to the smell. But a...
The abrasive quality of sandpaper is good for more than painting prep and getting a smooth finish on wood furniture. Check out our favorite alternative ways to us...
Few things are more relaxing than curling up with a nice cup of steaming hot tea. In fact, next to water, tea is the world’s most popular beverage. But all those ...
Too far out of reach (and often out of sight during normal cleaning routines), ceiling fans collect plenty of dust wh...
You probably have a sizable stack of folded dryer sheets stored in your laundry room for the next afternoon of chores, but you might not realize the potential the...
The brown paper bag is a highly underrated household standby. While its everyday uses range from toting groceries to ...
As the first leaves begin to litter the lawn, we're reminded that it's once again time to dig out the ladder from the...
Wire clothes hangers are inescapable. They seem to multiply overnight, and they pile up every time you go to the cleaners. Instead of throwing them out, try one o...
Exactly how much stuff is too much? When it comes to your collection, perhaps you draw the line when the pile runs so high that it calls for an intervention. Howe...
Elmer’s glue is much more than a back-to-school staple. It has applications that range far beyond the classroom. Whether you’re crafting, gardening, or crossing o...
There’s nothing more refreshing than a cool drink on the rocks—but a cup of ice cubes can do a lot more than quench y...
In most of the Western world, Sunday is the day of rest—and that means different things to different people. Do you s...
Flexible, durable, moisture-proof, and grease-proof, aluminum foil is most often used in the kitchen. But foil can do so much more! Keep this multitasking treasur...
Remember when your biggest problem was keeping your favorite CD from skipping? Times were simpler before iPhones, Net...
Instructables user deluges, a self-described amateur tinkerer, has nothing against custom screws—just the added cost ...
You may not describe yourself as a sports enthusiast, but chances are that your garage or attic contains a surplus of extra athletic equipment. Don't let old golf...
Sure, they come in bright colors and are handy for jotting down reminders, but there's more to the Post-it than meets the eye. Learn how you can use this standard...
Sure, your indoor plants might be doing just fine on their own with your current watering schedule and carefully sele...
Yes, we’re just as shocked as you! But anyone who lives in an area that’s incredibly dry or has serious water restric...
Everyone wants to be a DJ, but no one wants to buy the equipment—let alone figure out how to use it. This life hack w...
Besides keeping you up on all the need-to-know current events, a hefty newspaper is downright useful to have around t...
Having a backyard is a luxury and lets face it, also a lot of work to keep it looking like the oasis you want it to be. You could spend a ton of money on planters...
Looking for ways to spruce up your home for little to no money at all? It's not as hard as you think! These smart decorating tricks show you how to transform your...
Known as phillumenists, or "lovers of light," matchbook collectors number about 7,000 worldwide—the population of a s...
Brightly colored pool noodles usually evoke images of relaxing summer days spent lazily afloat, but these versatile w...
An empty picture frame is the quintessential blank slate. Sure, you can fill it with a photo of your dog, a poster, or a drawing. But why not take it further? Wit...
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of plastic shopping bags you’re harboring underneath your kitche...
Sometimes the best things come in little packages. Take the fasteners that you may remember fondly from your childhood shoe straps. Their tiny hooks and loops wer...
Americans generate a whopping 251 million tons of waste each year, according to the U. S. Environmental Protection Ag...
Oh, flea markets and swap meets the way they used to be! Vendors selling used items they no longer needed, and buyers scoring great deals—some requiring TLC, othe...
Gail from My Repurposed Life is no stranger to fantastic repurposing projects. But don't let her skills intimidate yo...
If you're like us, spring and summer can mean long, thirsty hours spent DIYing (or even relaxing!) in the sun. But th...
After posting pictures of a DIY coffee table that she (and readers) loved, Sausha from Sweet Pickins decided to revis...
One of the enjoyable things about reading Thistlewood Farms is the playful way that KariAnne puts things. But when sh...
A blanket works just fine for picnics—you know, in the way that candles worked just fine before electricity. But if y...
As you welcome spring, bring a pop of the season into the house with a newly handmade vertical garden. This space-con...
You agonized over choosing precisely the right color to paint the spare room. As part of your effort (and partly beca...
When you think of cork, your first thought might be of a bulletin board pinned with reminders, but cork's handiness knows no bounds. This renewable resource is ac...
Spring promises all things fresh: flowers, air, even perspectives. What better time to a dust off an old window or two for a different point of view? These glass ...
You know that familiar blue window cleanser that we all grew up using? Well, it can do lot more than just clean windows. Whether you're looking to bust stains or ...
Delicious and versatile, eggs are on the ingredients list for countless favorite recipes. But while the yolks and the...
Every single month, tons of fire hose reaches the end of its useful life and must be disposed of. That's when Oakland...
Whenever you're assembling materials for a tiling project, it's recommended that you purchase a little extra—about 10...
With any number of do-it-yourself projects, be it wall painting or window replacement, a prudent first step is to spr...
The thrift store, a neighbor's junk pile, Craigslist, or your own garage—just a few of the places where you can probably get your hands on an old ladder that’s do...
Where do mattresses go to die? The landfill, most often. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s still life under what looks like old junk, if you’re willing ...
Certain household items are so commonplace that we scarcely notice them anymore. But it may be time to take another look at some everyday household staples—like p...
Think you know how to use a sponge? Well, think again! These colorful little squares of cellulose can be used for a lot more household tasks than just wiping down...
Before antismoking campaigns and the advent of disposable lighters, matchboxes and matchbooks were very common. They ...
Don’t junk your tree after the holidays are over. There are lots of ways to salvage part, or all, of a Christmas tree to give it a second life. Bestow an end-of-s...
Doesn't it seem like there's always at least one board game in your house that's no longer playable? Maybe there are pieces missing, or you've given up on the gam...
Once you've torn through the stack of presents on Christmas morning, you're likely left swimming in a sea of wrapping paper scraps. If you're in the camp that fee...
On your last trip to the architectural salvage yard, you doubtless saw scores of antique sinks, windows, and at every...
When designer Samuel Bernier found himself with an excess of pencil stubs (don't ask!), he was determined not to disc...
Cooks know the value of aluminum foil, particularly around the holidays, when it plays a role in everything from roas...
It seems that we're updating our computers, smart phones and media collections as often as our wardrobes these days. If you're like us, you've been holding onto y...
Got the itch to redecorate—just not the budget? Rather than begrudgingly waiting for a refresh, you can redesign a room with furnishings you already own. Moving a...
Bedside storage is a must. Where else would you set a glass of water, nightly reading, phone, and alarm clock before settling in for slumber? And in a room so per...
On the spectrum of vice, there are many things worse crimes than having a sweet tooth. Sure, doctors and dentists tel...
Tools were made to be used, even long after their heyday of tough DIY assignments has passed. Whether you've shelved your older tools for newer models or you've i...
You can get all the luster of a metallic surface without breaking the bank. The trick? Use pennies. Incorporating the coins into your design as a material can sav...
What do you do with an extra 5 gallon bucket? Once its contents are gone, its usefulness is only beginning. That's because there are so many practical ways to reu...
Decorative uses of straight-from-nature wood have been on the rise for a few years now, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. Why should it? Bringing the outdoo...
The dresser is a sturdy staple of almost every bedroom, but daily wear and tear can put even the best one into disrepair. When it's time to for a new dresser, don...
In most homes, the only magnets are the ones studding the refrigerator door. And while many of us would be lost witho...
There's something about the size, durability, and versatility of shoeboxes that compels us to keep them long after ou...
Old wooden crates tend to evoke feelings of nostalgia—of the simple, good life. They also happen to be an amazingly versatile (and often free) source of inspirati...
If that window screen is torn beyond repair, don't take the entire panel out to the trash. Rather, look for ways to r...
An outstanding perk of hosting friends and family for a potluck affair can be the copious volume of alcohol left over...
Wheels have come a long way since their Stone Age introduction. No longer just for transporting objects from place to place, wheels have become a starting point f...
Is your recycling bin overflowing with old wine, beer, and soda bottles? Glass bottles fill local dumps and monster landfill sites all over the world. While house...
Many of us have musical instruments that occupy a special place in our hearts, even if they no longer occupy a place in our lives. It's hard to imagine parting wi...
In today’s culture of downsizing to reduce carbon footprints, tiny houses and recycled homes are getting increasingly desirable—in both conventional and unconvent...
Renovations, regardless of whether they are large or small, can be costly endeavors. You may, however, be able to rec...
If you have a few especially beloved books in your collection, why not use a pair of DIY bookends to set them apart a...
While you may have no idea what polyvinyl chloride is, chances are you have some in your home, in the form of PVC pipes. PVC is an inexpensive, hard yet flexible,...
As the country emerges from a harsh winter, many homeowners are facing the prospect of cutting down and cleaning up h...
Up in the attic, down in the basement, or out in the garage, chances are that you've got a chest full of old toys. If...
While technology is constantly giving us new ways of doing things, there are some things that stubbornly stay the same. Take the good old cardboard box, for examp...
Test tubes are commonplace and entirely unremarkable in locations like science labs and chemistry classrooms. But in ...
If you drink coffee, chances are that you drink it every day. Sure, sometimes you get it on the go, but if you're any...
Chances are good that in some remote corner of your home there lies a box full of dusty cassette tapes. Be honest: Wh...
Shipping pallets are the DIYer’s standby building material for many good reasons. They aren’t hard to come by, and even damaged pallets can be salvaged for smalle...
Everyone hates email spam, and rightfully so. It does have one redeeming factor, though: It's relatively easy to mana...
If your tastes have changed or you've outgrown a favorite old sweater, you have options aside from donating the garme...
Brick is an extremely sturdy construction material. It’s attractive, fire resistant, and low maintenance—and it stand...
What good is a rake you can no longer use in the garden? Actually, there are countless ingenious ways to give a secon...
If you’re planning on improving your home's curb appeal by installing a new garage door, don’t be so fast to throw out the old one. Disposing of a large, cumberso...
I love my colanders. Vintage-inspired, colorful, and enamel-coated, they work not only as strainers, but also as deco...
Cozying up to a roaring fire is a winter evening pastime that no one would reject. Disposing of fireplace ashes? Well...
Are you looking for more storage or workspace in your kitchen but are reluctant to splurge on a custom kitchen island? Here are 12 creative DIY kitchen island des...
Decades ago, denim may have seemed uniquely American, but today this sturdy fabric belongs to the world: A whopping 4...
People often peg pegboard as being fit only for the garage. Well, that theory sure has a lot of holes in it! As these...
For thousands of years, people have made bricks and used them to build structures of all kinds. Even today, with so m...
Without cardboard boxes, what would the world be like? At times, it seems like cardboard is nearly as ubiquitous—and ...
In the wake of holiday office functions, neighborhood tree lightings, and, of course, New Year's Eve parties, wine co...
Right now, there may be more than 25 million cut Christmas trees adorning rooms throughout the United States. Within ...
It's always alarming to see how much gift wrap gets wasted during the holidays. Boldly patterned, brightly colored pa...
It’s always better to find a way to recycle or reuse an item than to send it to a landfill. Some creative designers o...
The pen is mightier than the sword, everyone knows that. But when a pen runs out of ink, its power diminishes—or does...
We interact with them daily and seldom think twice, but do-it-yourselfers have found plenty of reasons for us to focu...
Gourds come in many beautiful patterns, shapes, and textures. They can be striped or speckled, knobby or curvy, and t...
The next time you open an Altoids tin only to find that it's empty, rest assured that even if there are no mints insi...
Salvage yards have always been a great place to find old house parts. These can be recycled as art objects or as rep...
You may think of it only as a handy helper at the workbench or sewing table—a no-frills, low-tech instrument for meas...
Eventually, we all find ourselves with more hangers than we know what to do with, and when they are not keeping our s...
The first clothespins served the sole purpose of hanging laundry. But today, these humble wooden clips inspire all sorts of home improvement projects, from managi...
Whereas our desks were once crammed with 8. 5" x 11"-inch documents, sheets of loose-leaf paper, and manila folders, ...
When it’s finally time for old tools to retire, don’t ship them off to Florida. Give them a second career as a crafty DIY project.
Thought you were too old for toys? Think again. Adults have ample reason to revisit Legos, if not for sheer amusement...
If your child has outgrown her baby crib, you may have found it's a tough piece of furniture to dispose of. Even thri...
For as long as people have been cultivating these relatives of pumpkins, squash, and cucumbers, they have been adapti...
At first, leather belts don't seem like they would be much use to do-it-yourselfers. Then again, creative minds with ...
Plastic bottles make it easy to hydrate on the go, but they're tough on the environment. They too often end up in lan...
Nothing lasts forever, and that includes window treatments. Besides the inevitable wear and tear they endure with nor...
A compost bin is a great way to keep waste material out of landfills while at the same time creating wonderfully nutr...
In 2011, federal safety standards for baby cribs changed significantly, making it illegal to sell older models that n...
How many times have you dragged your hose into position only to discover that it's sprung a leak? Fear not! Even with...
Wondering what to do with all those empty paint cans? See how others have cleaned and repurposed them into everything from smart storage to fun works of art.
Handymen love duct tape for its power to delay the inevitable—specifically, the trouble and expense that a proper rep...
These innovative projects will inspire you to dig through your discards and repurpose them into useful furnishings and interesting accents for your home.
From soda bottles and bicycle chains to cutlery and toothpicks, these dazzling chandeliers illuminate the value—and fun—of putting unremarkable old stuff to brill...
Everyone has at least one or two plastic milk crates hanging around the basement or garage. Although expressly design...
Incorporating a variety of materials, these truly one-of-a-kind doormats are not something you would simply walk on—or by—without noticing.
Old doors, wine bottles, shipping pallets—and even bowling balls and surf boards—can be repurposed into alternative fence material. Here are 8 surprising ideas th...
You flipped the switch only to see the light bulb flash with that familiar blue flare? My friend, you've got another ...
Plumbing may be best left in the hands of a pro, but getting creative with pipe fittings is a DIY project that can yield surprising results. Here are ten designs ...
‘Knot’ just for sailing fanatics or decorating summer beach houses anymore, rope has found its way into homes of every style.
Dusty suburban basements and chockablock urban thrift stores have no shortage of neglected old furniture with marred ...
Before heading off to school, consider some of these smart—and DIY-doable—storage solutions to help make college living a little more efficient and manageable.
If your impression of corrugated metal is that it belongs on a barn roof, take another look. Lightweight and inexpens...
After you’ve fried up a few Western omelettes, topped them with Tabasco, and nourished your body with nature’s best s...
For years now, PVC pipe has been popular for many applications in and around the house. It’s lightweight, durable, ba...
We can all agree that vintage dishes are pretty, but in today's home, they’re not very practical: most can't be used ...
Clay pots come with one major upside: Because they are porous, air reaches plant roots and excess moisture is able to...
Sometimes an old piano is just beyond repair. Before paying someone to cart yours off to the landfill, check out these nine harmonious reinterpretations.
What makes an old wine barrel so irresistibly charming? Is it the unique shape, the warm tones of the wood, the weath...
Architects, designers, and homeowners are increasingly on the hunt for salvage materials whose superior grade and cha...
Homeowners who plan to undertake a do-it-yourself job should know the difference between waste and salvageable buildi...
Reclaimed LumberGorgeous rediscovered and recovered woods are being offered by fine mills and merchants throughout th...
Inspired by DIYers transforming old discarded materials and objects into something new, we couldn't help but turn the spotlight on these smart upcycled designer c...
It's a fact of life: Everyone has at least one old or unused picture frame. Some folks have dozens laying around. Whe...
Diamond-slatted lattice—it's as iconic as, and perhaps more often seen than, white picket fences. While primarily mea...
If you have a tired table lamp, a lackluster lantern, or a pooped-out pendant, take inspiration (and instruction) from these fresh and easy DIY ideas—and let ther...
I'm always swooning over the charming old luggage I see at flea markets and thrift stores around New York City. Clear...
Everything from grocery store shipments to construction deliveries involves using a forklift to pick up and move a he...
In the DIY decorating and design worlds, burlap is trending in a big way—and why shouldn't it be? Burlap's neutral co...
A room divider can create privacy in a small space, or define new areas in a large, open space. The beauty of the room divider, as opposed to a wall, is its imperm...
Before you discard leftover wallpaper, consider using it to decorate bookcases, lampshades, chairs, and more.
Does your apartment look more like the stock room at Barnes and Noble? Well, you're not alone: At one point or anothe...
If your wicker furniture has seen better days, transform it into whimsical but useful accents for your home or garden.
Spring is a great time of year to clean the accumulated debris from your gutters—and perhaps even replace gutters tha...
For the most part, free-standing coat racks are a thing of the past. They belong to a time when closets were only dee...
Tin cans are like air—they're all around us. Most families go through several cans each week, and some even use that ...
Walking through my Brooklyn neighborhood this past weekend, I spied an interesting structure on the sidewalk. Someone...
Every single drawer in your apartment is overflowing with chopsticks. Sure, you could toss a few pair in the trash. B...
With imagination and elbow grease, you can transform that old door into a one-of-a-kind piece that's both useful and beautiful.
Many of us know tin ceiling tiles as the reasonably priced domestic cousin of European plasterwork. Ubiquitous in Vic...
Whether you've been bitten by the travel bug or merely want to give the impression of being well-traveled, maps lend ...
Silverware is so much more than simply the source of your next bite. After all, if you tap a knife on a glass of cha...
Imagine bringing the quality and charm of eighteenth-century wood planks into your home today. With reclaimed wood, y...
With a little ingenuity, you can move your antique armoire into the 21st century without sacrificing any of the furniture's old-fashioned charm.
Hardware cloth is a small, sturdy mesh product sold in rolls at your local hardware store or home center. Made from m...
String lights are always associated with the holidays, but what if you use 'em in April or September? Well, they look...
One of the biggest challenges of any remodeling project or basement clean-out is figuring out how to get rid of const...
This time of year, if you take a walk through an area with pine trees, you’ll find pine cones nearly blanketing the g...
Did you know that wall-to-wall carpet from just one standard 12 x 15 ft room takes 8 gallons of oil and 900,000 BTUs ...
The other day my roommate came home from IKEA with a pack of 100 tea lights. One hundred. To be fair, my roommate als...
It's hard to hate a globe. Whether you're going for an around-the-world vibe or an homage to your second-grade classr...
These days, everyone tries hard to subscribe to the 3R’s— Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Home design is all over that trend, and has its own 3R’s— Recycle, Repurpose, Re...
When you enter my neighbor’s house, you are greeted with a warm wall of rustic and variegated wood. Framed in the cen...
Wine bottles, though made of glass, are actually quite strong. For durability and as a safety precaution, manufacture...
Straw bales aren’t just for horses and hayrides anymore! This perennial sign of fall has become decorating and garden...
“I wish I had more leftover bottle caps!” is not something you’re likely to hear anybody say. Given the abundance of ...
When artist Elayna Toby Singer contemplates a new mixed media assemblage, she pieces together objects from both natur...
Whenever I hesitate before throwing out something useless, like an expired coupon or an old magazine, I think to myse...
'Knot' just for sailing fanatics or decorating summer beach houses anymore, rope has found its way into homes of ever...
Cinder blocks: They are inexpensive, reliable, and strong but are light enough to be easily used in DIY projects. The...
Whether making cake stands or candles, Fresh Pastry Stand's Deva Mirel finds inspiration in the vintage kitchen and i...
Custom furniture is expensive. And let’s face it, while many of us have custom tastes, we don’t have custom budgets. Enter, IKEA— the Swedish furniture company th...
Deconstruction is the new demolition. CM_BVNOTES-1235-6 Recycled Bldg ProductsListen to BOB VILA ON DECONSTRUCTION, ...
Beadboard is a classic wall paneling commonly associated with New England and Cape Cod-style houses and country decor...
Wooden crates used to be the way to get everything to market, from fruit and produce to soda bottles. These days, tho...
Compassion, faith, and hope are not intrinsically wired into the furniture business, but Lamon Luther, a fledgling ma...
The old adage goes, "It's like riding a bike. " Meaning of course that cycling becomes so integrated into your muscle...
Now that folks are more conscious about not sending everything to the landfill, and there are even tax incentives for...
Chances are that, languishing in your basement or garage, you have an old wooden ladder splattered with coats of pain...
Might I tell you my very favorite thing about the ever-versatile mason jar? The design has remained essentially uncha...
Take advantage of the warm weather by holding a yard sale to clear the clutter and maximize your home’s space potenti...
Vintage windows are much easier to come by than you might think. Before the salvage craze became mainstream, windows ...
You’ve likely seen wood shipping pallets piled up next to dumpsters outside local stores. Once the pallet has done it...
If you are a fan of salvage, like I am, you will understand what delight I felt upon discovering these weathered, blu...
Deconstruction is the new demolition. Instead of gutting a project and sending the whole shebang to a landfill, more ...
Think Before You Toss Deconstruction is the new demolition. Instead of gutting a project and sending the whole sheban...
Many contractors and home improvement experts will say, "Homeowners and DIYers should try anything, except for electr...
No one likes cleaning up after a storm. But when the storm causes structural damage to your home, the cleanup process...
At the 19th Annual Canstruction Design/Build Competition—an art show and food drive benefiting City Harvest—some of N...
Here are just a few listings of the antique fairs, flea markets, reclaimed lumber businesses, nonprofits, and archite...
There is a new residence in the Malibu hills constructed mostly from an old airplane. Consisting of a main house and ...
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City ...
The new addition's footprint is essentially a whole other house, yet it will integrate visually with a matching roofline to the existing house. New technologies h...
Architect Mary Kennedy and Bob tour her Georgian Colonial family home in Westchester County, NY. After a flood ruined the house, the challenge was to salvage and ...
Bob discusses the best ways to discard debris and unwanted items before starting a renovation.
Stone workers install a granite retaining wall, replace a front walkway, and build a backyard patio.
Bob meets with the construction foreman to discuss the demolition work that's underway. Having removed the elevator shaft, the crew plans to move ahead by taking ...
Bob pays a visit to Jane Walentas, a member of the artistic community in DUMBO.
Project supervisor Dave Southard of DS Woodworks explains why high-rise demolition is different from demolition work that takes place elsewhere. Also, Southard la...
Bob introduces an 1890s Brownstone on New York City's Upper West Side.
Reviewing the architectural floor plans for the Brownstone remodel, salvaging the vintage sink, and removing asbestos tile uncovered at the start of demolition.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and contractor Grady Garrett install a reclaimed Yellow Pine hardwood floor.
Bob Riley and Howard Brickman install a reclaimed hard pine floor. The orientation of the boards is explained, and the moisture content of the subfloor is checked...
Bob takes a final tour of the home workout area, discussing the tub surround and the new exercise equipment.
Bob and carpenter Cortney Lofton review and demolish the original kitchen cabinets. Bob then visits a salvage yard to view the turn-of-the-century cabinets purcha...
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley rebuild the deck in the rear of the addition using salvaged lumber from the demolition.
Bob watches as the mason lays a new hearth in the old fireplace using salvaged Charleston brick.
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a salvaged door on the side of the dream garage, which is undergoing construction.
Bob tours the furnished, decorated Martha's Vineyard Victorian project house. The designer has sourced pieces from antique stores, salvage yards, second hand stor...
A window is recycled during the remodeling process and placed back into the frame of the new addition. Bob explains the reason for recycling and assists with the ...
Two recycled windows are used to create one large window. Once carpenter Bob Ryley demolishes the old frame, supports are installed to hold up the new combined wi...
Flooring contractor Leo Boudreau shows Bob how to recycle hardwood flooring. First, the floor must be salvaged. A pry bar is used to lift and remove the wood, pie...
Bob shops an architectural salvage yard for used, inexpensive doors and bathroom vanities.
Bob heads to the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, the largest wholesale design center in the city, to see a selection of bathroom fixtures at K & B Galleries...
The crew lowers the recycled "ell" onto the new foundation with a crane.
Bob compares kitchen appliances at the Irv Wolfson Showroom, part of Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
Bob travels to Chicago’s South Side to tour the Salvage One architectural warehouse with Anne Steinweddel.
