17 Ways to Decorate With Everyday Things
Netflix has changed the way we binge watch TV — instead of being way behind because you are only on season three of Breaking Bad,
you're behind if you haven't watched an entire brand new series two
days after it premieres. In an effort to stay up to date, I've been
watching the new series Orange Is the New Black, and I'm constantly amazed at the ingenuity the inmates use to make useful things out of the few items they have.
So far my favorite is the way Sophia covered her prison-issue sandals in duct tape because metallic was very in that season. Inmates transform juice packets into lip stain, make earplugs out of pillow stuffing and affix pictures to their walls with gum (do not try that one at home!) It's actually full of inspirational lessons about working with what you've got at your disposal. Many Houzzers have this same talent for working with what they have around the house. Here are 17 uses for everyday items that are likely stashed somewhere in your home.
So far my favorite is the way Sophia covered her prison-issue sandals in duct tape because metallic was very in that season. Inmates transform juice packets into lip stain, make earplugs out of pillow stuffing and affix pictures to their walls with gum (do not try that one at home!) It's actually full of inspirational lessons about working with what you've got at your disposal. Many Houzzers have this same talent for working with what they have around the house. Here are 17 uses for everyday items that are likely stashed somewhere in your home.
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On the show, the women have to
get very creative about working with what they've got, and sometimes
trading with what they've got. In this scene, Piper has to trade a few
chunks of her blonde locks for Sophia to use as highlights in Tasha's
hairdo. In return, she gets cocoa butter, which she mixes with chewed up
peppers to create a soothing lotion for Red's aching back, which keeps
her from getting "starved out." It's complicated, and one must be clever
about working with what's available.
Side note: I recommend reading Piper Kerman's memoir, which the show is based upon, before your binge watch. You probably have your own lotion, so here are some other things you can do with what you may already have around the house: |
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Double-sided tape. Houzz contributor Samantha Schoech didn't wait around for a wallpaper hanger; she simply affixed this Woods wallpaper with double-sided tape.
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Rulers and yardsticks.
These charming little wooden rulers used to be given out as freebies at
businesses such as hardware stores and banks. The great typography and
signs of use make them wonderful items to display today.
Here's how to make this garden organizer |
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by Incorporated
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Staples. You know you have
that fabric scrap pile and that horrible still life of the pewter mug
with the pears on top of the sad dish towel you painted when you were
going through your adult ed art class phase (I know I do!). Stretch a
patterned fabric across said canvas and staple it to the back of the
frame. Trust me, if your art talents are lacking like mine, it will be a
major improvement and you'll actually want to hang it.
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by Sarah Greenman
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Tea bags. Give your too-bright-white fabrics and furniture a lovely aged look with tea. Here's how
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by Meg Padgett
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Toothpaste. Anyone who has
ever had to take down thumbtacks from a dorm room with no access to
spackle has learned this one — toothpaste does the trick in a jam. Use
plain white, let it dry, then sand it down. Another great use for
toothpaste is to shine your faucets with it when you spill some in the
sink (I picked up that tip from Mrs. Meyers).
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Pipes. Use plumbing pipes
and connectors to make industrial strength shelves, either freestanding
or wall-mounted. You may have to actually make a trip to the hardware
store for this one, but hitting your neighborhood store is a lot easier
than the ordeal of going to Ikea.
How to make these wall-mounted shelves |
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by Janet Paik
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Duct tape. It's amazing how much one can do with this strong tape; my personal favorite is this bench created by Cece Kaufman Interiors.
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by Rikki Snyder
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Twine. I love twine; it
has a charming, old-fashioned feel to it, and better yet, you probably
have a spool in your gardening bag. This ingenious napkin ring is
crafted of twine and a few acorns and leaves.
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Clipboards. Whether made
of particleboard, lucite or metal, clipboards make great makeshift
frames for art as well as spots to pin up work and inspiration. Just
hammer a long nail right through the little hole and into the wall. You
can even make a mat underneath the art out of a piece of paper.
by Shannon Malone
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Binder clips. These metal
clips have a nostalgic feel and are a great way to clip up art. You can
use them on a magnetic board or attach them to the wall with tiny nails.
I've used the giant ones before to hold up larger pieces and the look
is clean and industrial.
Maps. I love maps, but no
one seems to use them anymore because they have GPS to help them get
lost. At least GPS doesn't require a lot of complicated folding. Anyway,
use maps to wrap shoeboxes and transform them into office-worthy
organizers or Martha Stewart-caliber gift wrap.
Old newspapers and magazines. Get out the Modge Podge and rediscover the fun of decoupage. Whether it's lamps, a dresser or an entire wall, this retro art is making a big comeback.
Learn how to use decoupage glue
Learn how to use decoupage glue
Rubber bands. If you've ever
made a ball out of these, you have the skills to transform a piece of
furniture by wrapping it in colorful bands.
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Soup cans. Remember
wrapping a can in paper in kindergarten and giving it to your Mom as a
pencil holder? Even though a 5-year-old could do it, it's a great idea.
These cans are simply stuck to a magnetic strip to corral small tools,
brushes and pencils. Leave the Campbell's labels on for a Warholian vibe, or strip them off for a sleeker look.
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Blankets. If you don't have a
tablecloth that's meeting your needs, throw a clean wool blanket on top
instead. It will transform your tablescape for a cozy wintry meal.
Mason jars. If those
heirloom candlesticks are too fancy for your relaxed dinner party, get
out that 100 pack of tea lights from Ikea and pop them into mason jars.
These also work well as hurricanes outdoors.
See more uses for mason jars
See more uses for mason jars
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Clothespins. Extend a
string, piece of raffia or wire for your favorite photos or pages from a
book and clip them up like little pieces of laundry on a line.I like to
do this with my holiday cards so that I can enjoy looking at them for a
month.
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