Scavenger Chic

28 Fantastic Upcycling and Recycling Ideas

• By Joan
• February 20, 2020
• 8 Comments

Recycling Ideas Ready to Inspire You

I showed you about 30 projects I found in my travels last week, well this is the second half.  And while I hope you found something that you could draw inspiration from in the last batch, hope is not lost, because I have more. 

First up, this super cool art mirror.  Can you tell what it’s made from.   Hint…it’s a kids toy many boys have played with.

Can you tell yet?  They are painted army men!   I found this in Wisconsin but I was able to find it online here.

This is the side seating area of a restaurant but I could totally see this used in a private backyard.  Love the lattice screens, hanging pots and the corbels along the restaurant wall.

Cover an old frame with  favorite images from a nursery rhyme or children’s book.  Think ModPodge!

I love these botanicals set off by the barnwood.

This installation was part of a check out counter but it just shows how wall art can be made from just about anything, even doorknobs.

Such a cute little birdhouse perched on top of a pogo stick.  My kids had that exact same pogo stick!

Beautiful, full hanging baskets always inspire me and mine never look  like this…but a girl can dream can’t she?

Buried under all this stuff I spy a cute little barnwood table with spindle legs.  I could build that!

I think I’d need a welder for this bar or kitchen island.  Love, love, love the rusty corrugated metal.

I like the shape of these pumpkins,  They look like they only use 2 pieces of wood each. Router or sand the edges and you get everlasting, non rotting, pumpkins.

This guys season is coming up.  Cut out of metal or easier yet, a piece of wood.

Love these tree cutouts, just four stubby branches each then lashed together.  You can use more or less depending on the height of your wall.

I believe this is some king of industrial dolly, but I could be totally wrong.  What I envision is a kitchen island.  What do you see?

I have one of these glass domes I picked up at a local thrift store but I love to see the creativity of the base.  Who doesn’t like  a little rust?  I don’t know what it is but I need one.

I always like a good upcycle.  Can you tell that this was originally a door.  If you need more coffee table inspiration, I have a bunch.  You can find them here.

Ignore my husband who is patiently waiting for me to take my picture and look how beautiful this vine covered arbor is and how welcoming it is by the garden gate. It looks like it could be a wisteria vine which would be absolutely gorgeous when blooming. (Is it wisteria, or am I just imagining a little too much?)

If you can’t do any other projects, I know you can stack 2 crates and some pumpkins for beautiful porch decor.

Find some old feed bags and/or gingham to make some fun farmhouse style pillows.

You might need a little metal working skill for this one, but this artisan takes putters and attaches a corkscrew.  Nice gift idea.  I found a few on Amazon.

Heavy duty rope, dowels and  wood blocks come together for a hanging wine rack.

This looks like a fairly simple build for wine bottles and glasses.

An old lampshade has been stripped of it’s fabric and now holds seasonal cards.

This grouping of birdhouses on a garage caught my eye with their fun colors.  I was glad nobody was outside as I was trying to get a closer shot.

If you have a narrow porch you may want to consider making a table from an old door.   You can  watch the world go by and still have room to walk around.

Fish are so fun to paint cause nobody really cares if it’s based off a real fish.  Think fun colors and fun design.

The same goes with this fishy hanging off a deck at a local coastal town.  Think big, he’s at least 2 1/2 feet long.

I don’t think this is a true rusty shovel, mine look so much worse than this, but  imagine this hanging in a She Shed or Potting Shed.

This roll of paper appears to be attached to an old cutting board or a board just cut in that shape.  Ready for lists and artwork.

Like last weeks finds, if you find something that may inspire you in the future make sure you pin it.  You’ll never remember where you saw it first.

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