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Green Terminology: Recycle, Repurpose, Reuseā€¦

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As we move into the next decade we will be hearing the 're' prefix used in front of more and more words like re-cycling, re-using, re-furbishing, re-painting, re-claiming, re-purposing, and the list goes on and on. While conservation is nothing new, it seems to be gaining momentum in the world of remodeling in the last several years. The trend is to use less, and that means that you have to be creative in reusing what you already have. By reusing your decor in new ways, you are not contributing to landfills, and you are not adding to new manufacturing demands. So, for this season it seems that green is the new black, and it is becoming even more fashionable for next year. If you have not already started, here are some tips that you can use to embrace green.

Tip # 1 Re-purpose

When you re-purpose an object, you take something that has been discarded, make a few additions or changes and then use it in a new way. So rather than simply throw away something because it is old, you may wish to turn it into a piece of art. For example, you may decide to make a stool out of an old tractor seat, or you may decide to use an old sap bucket as a wall vase. Sometimes you will need to do some work to your object, and other times it is ready to display just how it is. For example, you may wish to hang a series of old vinyl records for a colorful wall display.

The great thing about re-purposing objects is that you can go shopping for new furniture in your very own home. If you do not have any old furniture, you can always check out grandma's attic, or visit your local garage sales and flea markets. If you have a space that you need to fill, keep your eyes peeled for ideas of what to use in it. You can use things from your home to add interest to your garden as well, so think outside of the box all of the time.

Tip # 2 Decoupage

There are many painting or restoring techniques that you can use to update the look of something old, and decoupage is a great way to bring tired, old containers up to date. If you have an old wooden box, instead of throwing it away, you can decoupage it to match your dĆ©cor, and then you can use it for storage.

Tip # 3 Redo

There is always a silver lining and with companies downsizing, there is a ton of office furniture available for pennies on the dollar, or even for free. Check your local want ads, and see what you can find. You do not need furniture to be perfect, for example, you may decide to turn an old desk into a bathroom vanity, but it has a damaged top. Well, consider that damaged top as a benefit, because it will help you get a good deal on the desk, and you are going to cover the top of it with tile anyway. Similarly, when the economy goes south, you can turn the downturn into your gain by getting great close out deals on everything from a new couch to decorative wall sconces.