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TRASH-TO-TREASURE Print E-mail



Every year, Americans throw away more and more tons of trash. Much of the trash you produce may truly be garbage. But what if some of it isn't garbage at all? What if some of the broken, unwanted, or seemingly unusable things you toss into your garbage can could be used to create one-of-a-kind, low-cost (or no-cost) decorative touches in your home?

The idea of turning trash to treasure has really come into vogue in recent years. Many books and magazine articles on the topic have been published, and several television shows are being produced that highlight trash-to-treasure projects. Want to join in on the trend? Here are some simple ideas to get you started:

Steel or metal cans. Remove labels, punch holes through the walls in a pattern (such as a star or a heart), and use them as indoor or outdoor candle-holding luminaries.

Outgrown (kids') clothing. Frame infant clothing in a shadowbox and hang it on your wall as a prized memento.

Old blankets. Use old blankets to re-cover throw pillows.

Damaged books. Remove and frame illustrations, and you have inexpensive wall art; rip out text pages and use them to decoupage furniture, such as the top of a writing desk or the back of a bookcase.

Damaged sofas or chairs. Cover the most terribly stained or even ripped sofa or chair with a slipcover. If premade slipcovers are too pricey for your budget, try covering furniture with bed sheets-just tuck and pin the fabric until you've covered all the surfaces.

Broken china. Smash it to bits and use the pieces to create a mosaic tabletop.

Candle wax remnants. Melt down what's left when you have a few collected, and create new candles with them. Just pour into a small jar and add a wick.

Baby food jars. Decorate them to hold small items (e.g., safety pins), or use them as votive candle holders by embellishing the outside with paint markers.


 
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