As the seasons change, so do our tastes and preferences, and so do fashion & home décor trends! We’ve been reading up on the big trends for next year here and here to be inspired by some exciting, new ideas. It seems that 2017 has a unique personality and this comes through in many of the big trends for the year. There is a movement toward more sustainable and utilitarian décor, using organic materials, natural light and bohemian styles. This shows a decided departure from the ultra-digitisation of our everyday lives, and a move towards the creation of a peaceful and more natural space in our homes. One of the ways to do this is to use rescued pieces to add colour and character to your home.



Rescued décor uses re-purposed, reclaimed or salvaged items to create new furniture or decorative accessories for your home. This could mean using reclaimed wood, refurbishing antiques and heritage pieces, or putting together different recycled elements to create something novel. Rescued décor is less about money (though this IS one way to save a buck or two!), but about the story behind each piece. Here are a few ways you can introduce repurposed décor into your home.

Old Windows

Old windows and windowpanes are sometimes so incredibly beautiful, yet it’s a shame when they can’t be used anymore. Trying to create new furniture out of old pieces is not for everyone - you definitely need to know your way around a toolbox (or at least know someone who is adept!) because these projects are not always straightforward. You can convert large French doors into the surface of a dining table, or make square windowpanes into a smaller coffee table. How about removing window frames and re-purposing them into fun décor elements for your walls? The look is rustic and very attractive.



Armoires

With the advent of flat screen TVs, the number of TV tables and armoires that became quickly obsolete was very high. These armoires are often bulky, large pieces with lots of shelves and storage space for your VHS tapes, laser disc player and speakers - oh the good old days! It really is sad that many of us have discarded these pieces but why not convert a large armoire into a china cabinet by screwing on some doors? Or add this to your dining room to hold plates along with knick-knacks and pictures.



Dressers

Classic dressers and sideboards used to be made of very large pieces of durable wood that could stand the test of time. When it comes time to redecorate, you can repurpose an old dressing table to make a bathroom dresser or create spaces for the sink and use the entire unit as your bathroom vanity. You can also remove the drawers and use these as shelves for storage with style.



Every person is so unique - shouldn’t our homes reflect this, too? Using recycled furniture is not only a sustainable way forward but also a great way to keep family treasures relevant and useful.

