40 Creative Ways to Recycle & Reuse for Sustainable Home Decor
Decorating your home doesn’t have to be expensive or damaging to the planet. I’m a waste-not kind of girl, and 40 of my favorite budget-friendly DIY projects utilize recycled and reused materials. You’ll learn how to transform trash into treasure with easy-to-follow craft ideas and readily available eco-conscious supplies. Let me show you how to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind decor that’s both stylish and sustainable.
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Recycle Ideas For Eco-Friendly Decorating
This post idea began because I wanted to arrange some new flowers I had received. I realized I had no styrofoam to hold the stems and quickly searched for alternative supplies. Tin cans rarely make it to my recycle bin. I have a million uses for them. They are just one of the many recycle and reuse ideas I’ll be sharing with you today. So let’s get started.
Recycle Tin Can Projects
First, let’s explore the wonderful world of recycled tin cans.
How To Rust Metal Fast With These 3 Household Ingredients
You can quickly rust tin cans to use for fall decorating. See more about the DIY Eco-Friendly Decor idea.
DIY Fall Wreath Made with Rusted Tin Cans – Easy Tutorial
Welcome to making a DIY fall wreath with rusted tin cans. You can make this easy and inexpensive recycled tin can craft also includes cheap Dollar Tree materials.
How To Cover Tin Cans With Twigs
How To Cover Tin Cans with Twigs for a Free Recycle Craft. They can be used for a beautiful fall centerpiece or alone with fall stems. This easy tutorial will be a fall favorite.
Ten FREE Fall Decorating Ideas
No tin can is safe from a can of spray paint or some other fun project. These tuna cans made fun candle holders for my Fall Tables. This is eco-friendly free decorating ideas and more.
Eco-Friendly Recycle Ideas
Use tin cans for pencil holders and use toilet paper cardboard rolls as dividers for your pen, pencils, and markers.
More Metal Projects – Recycle Aluminum Cans
In addition to tin cans, there are many creative uses for recycling aluminum cans. Here are a few of my favorites.
This fun wreath is made from recycled aluminum cans. It’s a fun and super easy project and can be customized for your decor style.
More Aluminum Can Recycling Ideas
Patriotic Star Garland / Tin & Aluminum Can Plant Pockets / Aluminum Can Flower Wreath
And maybe my favorite is this Anthropologie-inspired metal blooming spring wreath.
Recycled Materials Flower Arrangement
Here is a step-by-step tutorial for using recycled materials for a flower arrangement.
First, there is always a supply of tin cans for any project and some grocery store plastic bags.
In addition, I had a bag of leftover shredded filler that I had saved from Christmas. You may see that I’m a waste not kind of girl.
Eco-friendly Decorating with a Flower Arrangement
Since I didn’t have any styrofoam, I gathered recycled tin cans, a couple of clay pots, and plastic grocery store bags. The tin can hold the center stem while the clay pots are used on either side. I firmly packed the grocery store plastic bags around each stem to hold them straight inside the containers.
I recycled some shredded packing paper to hold the containers steady and then added new Spanish moss to cover the filler. You can see the step-by-step video for arranging the flowers.
This video shows how to make these recycled Wine Cork Hearts.
DIY Eco-Friendly Napkin Decoupage Decor Ideas
Another favorite project was adding napkins to tin cans and creating this fun centerpiece. See all the details here in this Spring Tablescape Post.
This napkin decoupage project upcycled a damaged wooden box into a boutique-worthy style decorative box. See How To Make A Decorative Box with Napkin Decoupage for all the details.
Creative Decor From Recycled Paper.
There are many ways to use upcycled paper products to create unique decor. I love using old book pages for stylish decorating, and the ideas are endless.
Decoupage Easter Eggs / Old Book Page Pumpkins / Falling Leaves with Old Book Pages
DIY Book Page Paper Roses / Valentine Wreaths / Honeycomb Paper Heart Garland
Recycle Packing Materials Plate Chargers
Make your fall tables look amazing with this clever and free DIY tutorial. Recycling packing materials is a DIY, eco-friendly way to create stunning table decor.
Paper Garland With UpCycled Coffee Filters
This is a favorite year-round project. The garland looks beautiful for the holidays, spring and summer tables, bridal and baby showers, and so much more. How to Make a Table Garland from Coffee Filters.
Upcycled Scrap Wood
Another material that can easily be recycled into functional and decorative decor is left over scrap wood from previous projects. Here are a few ideas.
This easy and adorable project looks great on the potting bench and on the screen porch.
DIY Recycled Wood Herb Drying Rack / DIY Scrap Wood Flower Press Tutorial
Recycled Faux Tree
Even this worn-out ficus tree was allowed a new life when fresh blossoms saved it. Here is How to Save a Faux Ficus Tree!
Recycle Wine Corks – Sustainable Decor Idea
There are so many sustainable and eco-friendly ways to recycle wine corks. I’ve used wine corks for coasters and trivets and so much more.
Here is a video tutorial on how to make this triple heart from wine corks. You can see how to make flowers from corks in this Easter post.
See this easy DIY Wine Cork Christmas Tree Tutorial.
Recycled Scrap Fabrics for Sustainable Pillow Covers
Another way to recycle and reuse is to save your scrap fabrics. This could be favored baby clothes, sports clothing, or other fabrics from previous projects.
You can make unique one-of-a-kind pillow covers using these fabrics. There are so many options, and here are a few sustainable DIY eco-friendly pillow cover ideas.
- Heart Ticking Fabric Pillow Cover & you can see the video tutorial also.
- Spring Flower Pillow Cover.
- Patriotic Star No-Sew Pillow Cover.
- Easy Decorative Fall Pillow cover.
- Cutest Recycled Pillow Covers
- Pumpkin Pillow Cover from scrap fabrics
- Christmas Tree Scrap Fabric Pillow Cover
Roadside Trash To Treasure Upcycle
It’s incredible what people will throw to the curb. I’ve brought home many roadside finds and have always found a way to upcycle them. First, I saw three perfectly good planters that I upcycled with a faux finish to look like concrete. The wooden ice cream churn has been a favorite for several years. A quick coat of white wash was all it took to create a stunning flower container.
Bonus Recycle Reuse DIY Projects
- Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece Idea
- How To Build A Shabby Chic Kitchen Cabinet with reclaimed windows
- Thrift Store Upcycle Peg Rail Shelf
- 19 Ways To Upcycle Vintage Picture Frames
- DIY Shiplap Tree from reclaimed lumber
In Conclusion: Sustainable Living
Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you are inspired to look beyond the big box stores when creating your cozy home. I have new items in my home, but by far, most items are family heirlooms, thrift store upcycled finds or DIY craft projects. It’s hard to believe I’ve created over 40 sustainable projects since I started this blog. After finishing this post, I thought of many more that could have been added. Many of these projects are still front and center in the farmhouse. I hope you will let me know if you choose to recreate any of these projects.
Pin It To Remember It
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I love these ideas Rachel!!! What a great way to repurpose things you already have!
Stacy,
I really appreciate your encouragement.
I love these ideas for recycling cans! In fact I started saving some cans yesterday for our coming up Valentine’s church gathering for the tables in the fellowship hall! I am in charge for doing all holidays and it is very hard sometimes to come up with something easy, pretty and not to spent too much money!
Thanks again Rachel!❤️
Margie,
I’m so glad you found this helpful. Thanks for your encouragment.
Rachel, I love all of these ideas! I also very much love the rabbit pillow seen in one of the photos. Did you paint this one and do you have any for sale?
Sheryl,
I did not! I think I found that one at Marshall’s a few years ago. Thanks so much for your encouragement. I do have a handpainted pillow with bunny tails. Just in case you haven’t seen it. here is the link. https://www.thepondsfarmhouse.com/store/Bunny-Tails-Handpainted-Pillow-Cover-p131418239
Rachel your post is so valuable. I attended a meeting two hours away yesterday- took the fasted route there- interstate but decided to take rural roads home through farming snd timber country of northwest Florida. Small towns with a grocery store , gas stations, small businesses and an occasional Dollar General! Repurposing- ideas would be a lifeline when craft stores are unavailable. I too repurpose. I’m the product of a momma who grew up in one of those small towns. Rachel, thank you!
Dood,
Thank you so much for sharing with me. I grew up in a small town and never left. We do have a Hobby Lobby and Walmart but now I’m 20 minutes away and love staying here in the country to create. Have a blessed day.
Rachel
Oh i just love the large wooden bowl!!!! Do you sell them at your shop??
Sally,
I wish I did, however it is a vintage piece and a one of a kind. Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel
You are so clever and I love your posts!! You always have great creative ideas that are simple to follow and do not cost much…maybe a can of peas for supper!!Lol! Thank you from an avid follower!!
Like to see more of this! I’m pretty creative in recycling/repurposing too! For example, toilet paper rolls can also hold the parchment rubber sheets for baking. I’m a big fan of Cheerios and the family size boxes that are purchased become magazine holders afterwards! However, they are used for other purposes too i.e. holding manuals for kitchen appliances so this is left in the kitchen and other similar filings. I love using kitchen towels for wrapping gifts (regardless of the season) though will depend on the gift’s size. Keep them coming Rachel!!
I love tin cans. I always have. I have repurposed them a few times, but you have given me some awesome ideas. You are so smart, Rachel. Thank you.
Rachel I loved all of your ideas! Now I need to start saving our cans. And that packing paper turned charger…so smart and so cute! So many clever ideas!
All of your ideas are just wonderful, Rachel!! Those cork hearts are darling!
These are such great ideas, Rachel! I always have a ton of tin cans and plastic bags laying around. I love how you reused them for your centerpiece. I am going to have to give that a try. Genius!
Jen,
Thanks so much sweetie.
I love your round up of recycled decor, Rachel! Especially love the wine cork hearts! My cousin gave me a punch of wine corks that I may just use this way! Pinned!
Julie,
thanks so much. glad you liked this.
These are such great ideas Rachel. I especially love the tips on repurposing a tired ficus tree. I am sharing this link on my weekly blog post for others to learn a thing or two.
Kim,
I’m so glad you liked it.
Super clever idea with the shredded paper…I never thought of that!!
Jennifer,
Thanks so much.
My soul, you are quite the recycler! I made a “vase” out of a ginormous Bush’s Baked Bean can and was not only proud of my not-so-crafty self but kinda hooked on mod podging cans. Looking forward to making more this spring. Happy Fri-hi-hi-day!
Cindy,
Thanks for stopping by.
You have so many great ideas for recycling. Cans are so handy and you shared some great ways to repurpose them.
Paula,
Thanks so much. I appreciate your support.
Wow! So many great ideas! I’ve never thought of re-using my cans before but that all changes now. Thanks for always being inspiring!
Anne,
Thanks so much. I appreciate you for stopping by.
Rachel
Rachel, these are all such beautiful and great ideas! I love reusing things and wasting nothing.
Shawn,
I really appreciate this. Thanks so much.