Out With The Old and In With the Old!

Happy 2014! As we start another year, we resolve to be more responsible, more mindful, more aware. We aim to make our impact on the earth a little less negative and the impact on our community a little more positive.  

Sounds serious, huh? Well, it doesn't have to be! We can do little things that have far reaching, happy consequences for our wallet, the planet and our style.  Read on, fellow reusers, for our list of ideas to make this our best year yet! 

2014 resolutions:

Bring your own bags. Not just to the grocery store but anywhere that you might be needing to stash your stuff. 

Before you buy new, think reuse. Could you find that item second hand? Or use reclaimed or reused materials to make it? We live in a "purchase, use, toss" society, where our tastes change with the season. Let the landfill breathe a little easier by avoiding those big box stores. Plus, the feeling one gets from making something with their own hands is priceless.

When throwing away, look closely at what you're tossing. Could that mason jar be a new pinterest-worthy project? Is there a nonprofit organization that would love those old clothes? How about a reuse center that would gladly take your gently used furniture or appliances?

Give your old stuff a second life by donating it to someone in need. 

Rehabbing? Think Reclaimed.  
Reclaimed building materials not only cut down on the cost of a rehab job, they add to the charm and history of your home. 

Tell your family's story through salvaged barn wood, repurposed brick or upcycled windows. Reclaimed materials can add a look that's vintage, rustic or cozy, and will make your house a place you'll truly call home. 

'Tis the Season for Reuse!

Christmas is nine days away...officially right around the corner. If you're like us, and the holiday season snuck up on you a bit this year, you may be searching for some really great last minute #DIYs. We've rounded up a bunch of projects that will get you in the holiday mood. Most importantly, they all reuse, repurpose or upcycle items in the process...something that's sure to get you on the "nice" list.

Warning: if you're a grinch, this post may cause your heart to grow three times in size.

Yardstick Reindeer. Noel book decoration. Upcycled feather wreath.

Snow globe from log and glass jar. Reclaimed pallet Christmas sign.

Hollowed out log candleholders. Rustic box decoration.
A window and holiday greens. Cake tins silvery centerpiece.

A repurposed pallet tree. Use book pages to makeover ornaments.
Cabinet door stocking sign. Wine bottle Christmas tree. Pumpkin seed trees.

We knew we'd win him over. 

Repurpose fixtures & bulbs into brilliant holiday decor!

Tis the season...for reuse! The weather turned downright frigid and forced us inside in recent days, causing us to dream up DIY projects to fill our hours while we wait for Old Saint Nick. What better way to celebrate the holiday than making cheerful decorations? Especially if those Christmas-y creations reuse, repurpose or upcycle items in unexpected and awesome ways.  

Below is a roundup of delightful DIYs that reuse light fixtures, lanterns and burnt out lightbulbs. It's a torrent of terrific ways to trim your tree and add merriment to your mantle. 

Want even more ideas? Check out our Holiday board on Pinterest! 

Christmas lights give an outdoor lantern a twinkly, cheerful makeover.

Add ornaments to a repurposed lantern for a table top display.

Half of a pendant light serves as the backdrop for a winter scene.

Add holiday lights and red berries for a perfect christmas light fixture. 

Add some merriment to your mantle with multi-colored strand lights.

A wall sconce gets a second life as a christmas decoration.

Double the lanterns, double the Christmas fun! 

Create an enlightened tree out of light bulbs

Paint lights then dust with glitter for adorable ornaments.

a light bulb makes the perfect penguin body! Too cute!

Up, up and away with this hot air balloon ornament. 

Glue together painted bulbs for a funky, retro decoration

Fill old bulbs with confetti stars for a glimmering, glamorous ornament. 

Gobble Up These Thanksgiving Reuse DIYs

For me, Thanksgiving is a time to sit back and reflect on how lucky I am for a plethora of blessings, everything from the ordinary (that girl at the cafe gave me an extra cookie!) to the huge (job, house, family). Celebrating the changing season with a big meal surrounded by loved ones puts me in a permanent good mood (and a prolonged food coma), and in the weeks leading up to the big day, you'll find me crafting holiday decorations.

Below I've rounded up several awesome DIY projects that reuse, repurpose and upcycle everyday materials into terribly terrific Turkey Day treats. Because, for us at PlanetReuse, being thankful means using what you've got and stopping to appreciate all the little things along the way.

Gobble Gobble!

wine bottles + paint = a DIY we're thankful for!

Reclaimed wood makes for a great FALL sign

Be ready to rake in the compliments with this DIY project

Repurposed burlap is used to make a cozy, autumnal pillow

This sweet sign is made from upcycled art & chalkboard paint

Put everyone in their place with these wine cork namecards.

These turkey decorations are made with acorns and feathers and are adorable!

Need a pie server? This one is made with a wine glass and a plate. Genius!

A log and candles combine to make a rustic centerpiece

Set sail for Holiday style with this charming namecard DIY

Want even more great DIY ideas? Get on over to Pinterest and follow us! 

Last Minute Halloween DIYs that Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose

Happy Halloween! We're so excited to celebrate with trick-or-treating, an afternoon party and lots (we mean LOTS) of tiny candy bars. If, like us, you tend to wait until the very last minute to make those holiday decorations, fear not! We've rounded up a handful of scarily smart Halloween-themed DIYs that aren't only spookily stylish but also reuse items you have around your house!

Recycled glass bottles are the basis of this bloodsucking decor. 

The kids will love this: upcycle TP rolls into fun monsters!

Need a quick costume? Make this Lego Man from 2 cardboard boxes! Awesome! 

This adorable haunted house is made from several repurposed shoeboxes.

Reuse toilet paper rolls as candy holder "poppers"

Show trick-or-treaters the way with tin can luminaries. 

Leftover wood becomes chic halloween decorations.

Who needs pumpkins when you have milk jugs and christmas lights? Love it! 

Warm and Cozy Fall Reuse Projects

Brrrr...here in the midwest, the weather is starting to turn chilly. Which means it's the perfect time to make DIYs that celebrate the holiday and the changing temperatures. Football? Thanksgiving? Knit sweaters? And is there anything better than curling up with a steaming cup of apple cider, the hints of cinnamon wafting up before you even taste the hot, aromatic cider?

Check out our roundup of great DIYs to embrace the changing season (and reuse materials while they're at it). Then get to doing! Want even more inspiration? Follow us on Pinterest for a plethora of promising projects.

This stunning table runner is made with reclaimed wood. 

Need a quick centerpiece? Grab some candles, coffee beans and a pot! 

Upcycled frame + leaves + ribbon = adorable autumn decor. 

Let there be (candle) light! Go on a walk and collect the materials needed for this DIY.

I LOVE this adorable Turkey Day dessert cart. Make one yourself with reused wood!

An old rake is born again as a cheery Fall wreath. 

Have an old sweater? Upcycle it into chic leg warmers. 

Awesome, Upcycled, Autumn Adornments

It's here! FALL! The last few days of summer are slowly slipping away, replaced by crisper air, weekends packed with football and pumpkin-flavored everything (no complaints here). With the changing seasons, we find ourselves itching for a few new pieces of decor, ones that celebrate the morphing trees and declining temperatures. We want something that's economical, meaningful and keeps our impact on the environment at a minimum. What solution is there for this DIY decoration dilemma?

Reuse, of course! Using old materials in brilliant new ways is smart for your style and your wallet. Feast your eyes on the projects below for great ideas that not only repurpose materials, but give your abode the Autumn oomph it needs. Let's get our Fall on, people! 

Apply chalkboard paint to an old painting for a scary-sweet sign!

We've got spirit, yes we do! We love this sign and you should too!

Who says decorations are just for inside? An old chair becomes a fancy fall planter!

This wreath is tops (literally!). It's made from upcycled mason jar lids. Awesome.

This cute little drawer becomes an even cuter little centerpiece!

Reused wood makes a statement as a harvest sign.

Extra glass and terracotta pots come together as a chic fall terrarium.

Candlesticks do double duty as pumpkin pedestals!

Get ready to rake in the complements with this DIY project!

pallets + letters + fall foliage = perfection

These upcycled bottles are as sweet as the real thing...minus the calories. 

By: Sarah Rendo