Achieving the recycled look -- a popular home trend
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The message is loud and clear: recycling and reuse can help save the planet. But did you know it's also a growing home decor trend?
Whether you call it vintage, recycled or shabby chic, incorporating an eclectic mix of elements in a home, ones that look well worn, continues to be a popular design style. Achieving this style is relatively easy because there are no firm rules for decorating. Consider these design tips.
* Scour the antique stores or yard sales: We all know the old adage that "one man's trash is another man's treasure." Make a day of visiting sales in your neighborhood to find pieces that can be used in your home. Believe it or not, many people set perfectly good furniture out at the curb for garbage pick-up. Make a note of your town or city's bulk garbage pick-up day. Drive up and down the streets to scope out any pieces that may not be quite ready for the landfill.
* Distressing is trendy: Don't worry if the pieces you find look a little rough around the edges. Distressed pieces are quite popular. A few dings and dents, and some peeled-off paint fit in with the recycled theme.
* If "junk" isn't your thing: Don't worry if you don't like antiqued pieces; you can still put together a recycled look in other ways. Choose muted paint colors that give a room a lived-in feeling. Select pieces of furniture that wouldn't necessarily go together, and put pieces where they wouldn't normally be. For example, use a living room side table as an end table next to a bed.
* Really go recycled: If you're not up for the rummage sales, you can do recycled by really using recycled materials. That is, many of today's products are environmentally friendly, created from recycled materials. Choose among versatile and durable cork floors or bamboo countertops.
* Experiment: As mentioned, there's no right or wrong to a recycled design style. Play around with different paint colors and mix and match pieces to create a look that works for the room and your personality.