6 Things You SHOULD NEVER THROW AWAY

Ok, I have to be honest with all of you…I am going through a huge purge in my life! I am truly trying to get rid of and donate a lot of items in my home…attic…garage and my “Monica Room”…remember Monica’s Room on Friends…well truth be told…I have one and I want it back so I can make a Photo Studio and work on many more Quick and Easy Crafts…Small Home Decor DIY Projects and tons more Recipes. So I feel a little guilty compiling this little list of items you You Should Never Throw Away! But I just have to because there are so many things you can do with them and just in case you have some of these items I want you to know all of the wonderful possibilities they hold! They can be upcycled…repurposed and with a touch of imagination they will add beauty…personality and style to your space! If by some change you have them and you don’t want to make anything…pass them on to a friend or family member that will!

 

 

1.  Suitcases

Suitcases can be used for Dog Beds to Mini Bars and tons of things in between.  The perfect place to store clothing …photos…you can stack them…turn them into tables and so much more.  Want to see more Upcycling Suitcase ideas?  Click Here and Here!

This fabulous DIY Suitcase Table can be found over at The Depot Shop

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Here’s my most FAVORITE Suitcase Project EVER!!!!  Ok…it has a dachshund sitting in it so how could I ever resist!  But I love how just by adding legs to the suitcase…a cushy cushion…a comfy blanket you have the cutest dog bed or cat bed ever.  If you are lucky enough to be able to find or own a suitcase that has the extra pocket…it automatically turns into stylish storage for favorite dog toys!  This is a real treasure and so easy to make!  Found this beauty over at BHG!

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Now Kelly from over at Eclectically Vintage turned this little suitcase into a fabulous mini Tabletop Bar!  How awesome does it look!  Within an hour you will be ready to shake up your favorite cocktail in style!

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2.  Mismatched Plates…Bowls…Teacups…Saucers and Platters

For all of us that frequent the Thrift Shops…Flea Market…Antique Shops and more there is probably a stack of mismatched plates in our home!  You know when you see a gorgeous vintage plate and you just can’t leave it there…or there is a stack of 6 for $2 and we just can’t leave them there for that price?  Am I painting a familiar picture? Well trust me…there are so many things you can do with them…like turning them into cake plates…candle holders…saucers for some pretty plates…lightening fixtures and of course there is the China Wall Gallery!  You have seen them everywhere and in every possible style!  From Boho to Modern…Eclectic to Cottage Chic…they lend themselves to all kinds of styles and they are a great way to showcase those fabulous finds!  I bet you have friends and family that you can trade with to even expand the variety!  There is always something cool you can do with them!  You can also serve everyone’s dessert on a different pretty plate…the uses are endless!  Want to see even more Teacup Ideas?

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This eclectic grouping of gorgeous plates looks over the top amazing!  Each plate on it’s own is nice…but together…well it just works!

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Does this create a statement or what!  Black and White Plates plus White Plates and Platters =’s WOW!

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Rock and Roll Bride has an incredible tutorial for this gorgeous serving tray made with mismatched china…perfect for pastries…appetizers…cookies…fruit and more!

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Creative lighting made from Teacups and Saucers! A fabulous DIY Project!

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3.  Wire Baskets

Something as simple as a wire basket can be used for so many different things.  It can almost instantly become a side table with a little bit of paint…a little bit of love and imagination!  You can also paint them…line them and use them to store toys and stuffed animals…or how about a hamper in a dorm room and the list goes on!  So even if that basket has a bit of rust on it…it’s nothing that a little sanding and paint wouldn’t take care of!  If you happen to have a smaller one…it just might turn into a new light fixture!  Think outside the box and enjoy!

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My friend Gina over at The Shabby Creek Cottage turned her wastepaper basket into a cool modern side table that would look great just about anywhere…you won’t believe how easy it was…hop on over for her Video DIY!

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Depending on the style of the basket…all you might have to do is paint it…just like this little beauty over at the House of Turquoise! 

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Over at ID Lights…you can see how a regular wire basket can become a picture perfect light fixture.  They will show you exactly how to do it and what you will need!

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Wire baskets also look amazing as a centerpiece!  Just look at this beauty from Desiree over at The 36th Avenue!  All of these projects give you pause before discarding am I right : )

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4.  Shutters

Shutters…yes…Shutters!  Those little ornamentation on either side of your windows!  There are so many uses for these beauties it is hard to count!  A simple shutter can become a table runner…a tray…a shelf…a room divider…wall art… a memo board…a utensil holder and the list goes on and on and on.  If you would like more ideas…just take a peek here.  Believe me…think twice before discarding one of these beauties…their potential is so far beyond hanging out on a house!

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Gail over at my Repurposed Life has taken a simple wooden shutter and turned it into a fabulous Magazine Rack!  Come and see how she did it!

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Over at BHG their shutter become an awesome shelf and coat holder!  Love the look…so many possibilities!  Shutter + Imagination =’s AWESOME!!!

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Now HGTV takes their shutter…adds legs and a beautiful coat of paint and in no time at all a fabulous console table is born!  It’s that simple!

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Martha creates this wonderful organizer with two shutters!  How great would this be in The Kitchen…The Craft Room…The Office…The Kids Room??? I think it would be FABULOUS …you can customize it to your own personal style…the sky is the limit!

Question?  Will you look at shutters differently now??? : )

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5.  Books

Take a look…there is so much magic in a BOOK!!!  My whole family has always been book crazy…My husband and both had a love affair with books since we were tiny and that love was given to our children…I have to be totally honest…most of our books are still on countless shelves in our home and very much an important piece of our family!  But many books that have become outdated…work …tattered…damaged…etc.. still have so much purpose!  There are tons and tons of Book DIY’s and so many ways to Decorate with Books…let’s take a peek at a few and you can see many more just by clicking on the highlighted words!  Here’s a few for inspiration!

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By simply wrapping a stack of beautiful vintage books and adding a hanger and maybe a fresh bloom…you will have a gorgeous wall hanging almost instantly!  It will add charm and personality to your space.

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Why not make a fabulous planter out of an old book?  Over at Apartment Therapy…you will find the spot on DIY!

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Who knew that a few books could turn into a conversational piece like this clock!!!  Well A Creative Princess named Terri did…drop by and see how she did it!

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6.  Baskets

Baskets…Baskets…Baskets!!!  Their uses are endless!!!  There are so many DIY Basket Projects…so many ways to Decorate with Baskets… Baskets are a “Good Thing”!  Even when some of your baskets are looking a bit worn and tired…take out that gorgeous color of spray paint and change it in an instant!  Or maybe block color it!  A little bit of stain can work too.  So many options for breathing new life into baskets.  Not to mention all the ways there are to use them!  So think twice about discarding your baskets…make them work for you and your style!

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I love how a basket can make everything look fabulous!  A simple basket on the floor can hold all kinds of treasures and it seamlessly becomes part of your home decor!

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Baskets can instantly become Wall Art!

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Baskets are picture perfect with plants are added like this beauty over at Restoration Redoux

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So…the moral of the story is…if you are a DIY kind of person…you just might want to hold onto these items!  What do you think? 

Hope you enjoyed this little collection…are there other subjects you would like to see?  Fill us in on the comment section!

(((((HUGS)))))

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