{"id":230,"date":"2014-04-28T15:07:34","date_gmt":"2014-04-28T22:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apartmentsbstg.wpengine.com\/?p=230"},"modified":"2018-03-13T08:57:48","modified_gmt":"2018-03-13T15:57:48","slug":"upcycling-ideas-apartment-spaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/upcycling-ideas-apartment-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Upcycling Ideas for Apartment Spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Image courtesy of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.maidenjane.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">maidenjane.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>One of the hottest decorating trends at the moment is \u201cupcycling\u201d \u2013 where you take an item that you, or someone else, no longer wants and give it second life with a new purpose. For an apartment dweller, it\u2019s not only economical and environmentally responsible, but a great way to create unique items for your home that are also fun to make.<\/p>\n<h3>Raw Materials<\/h3>\n<p>There is, of course, a lot of vision and creativity involved in these types of craft projects, but the first step is to find the raw materials and then see the potential in them. Here are some ideas for places to be on the lookout for diamonds in the rough to turn into future\u00a0<em>objets d\u2019art:<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Garage Sales &amp; Secondhand Stores<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; This one is obvious.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dumpster Diving<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 OK, not really. But you never know what you could find if you just take a minute to circle around to the back of many of the stores you visit regularly. For example,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/oldworldgardenfarms.com\/2012\/11\/06\/6-simple-tips-to-find-free-pallets-and-reclaimed-materials\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shipping pallets<\/a>\u00a0are a staple of upcycling and reclaimed wood projects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>College Dorms\/Housing\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 During the time of year that marks the end of school, many college students move out of their housing and decide to simply abandon items they no longer want. Drive by your local student housing at the beginning of the summer and you might walk away with a treasure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Your Own Trash\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 This is perhaps the most important and economical place for you to look. Every time you go to throw something away, think about alternative uses for it first.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Public Library<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Many libraries have old, or even vintage, unwanted books for sale supported by community donations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Craigslist\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Never underestimate the power of the freebies section of craigslist.org.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Dollar Store\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 It\u2019s only a buck, go nuts!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Inspiration<\/h3>\n<p>You can find many upcycling project ideas online.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pinterest\u00a0<\/a>is a great place to start. Here are just a few of our favorites to get you started:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Create a lamp out of a plastic bottle and plastic spoons<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-231\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/plastic-spoon-lamp-collage-500x194.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/plastic-spoon-lamp-collage-500x194.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/plastic-spoon-lamp-collage.jpg 728w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.handimania.com\/diy\/plastic-spoon-lamp.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.handimania.com\/diy\/plastic-spoon-lamp.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>2.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Turn old, vintage books into shelves<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-232\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/shelf-main_300-294x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"294\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/shelf-main_300-294x350.jpg 294w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/shelf-main_300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 294px) 100vw, 294px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/home-organizing\/home-improvement\/create-book-shelves-00000000035586\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/home-organizing\/home-improvement\/create-book-shelves-00000000035586\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>3.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Turn old paper tubes into wall art<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-233\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Craft-and-DIY-Ideas-270-624x1275-171x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"171\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Craft-and-DIY-Ideas-270-624x1275-171x350.jpg 171w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Craft-and-DIY-Ideas-270-624x1275-501x1024.jpg 501w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Craft-and-DIY-Ideas-270-624x1275.jpg 587w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 171px) 100vw, 171px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vitamin-ha.com\/craft-art-and-diy-ideas-18-pics\/craft-and-diy-ideas-270\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.vitamin-ha.com\/craft-art-and-diy-ideas-18-pics\/craft-and-diy-ideas-270\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>4.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Turn old beer bottles into hip glasses<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-234\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CE_beercup04-16-201307.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"324\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/2014\/02\/19\/how-to-make-a-drinking-glass-from-a-bottle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/2014\/02\/19\/how-to-make-a-drinking-glass-from-a-bottle\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>5.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Turn an old shipping pallet into a shoe rack<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-235\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/diy-pallet-shoes-rack-4-280x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"280\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/diy-pallet-shoes-rack-4-280x350.jpg 280w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/diy-pallet-shoes-rack-4.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/palletfurniturediy.com\/pallet-racks\/diy-pallet-shoe-racks-for-your-storage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/palletfurniturediy.com\/pallet-racks\/diy-pallet-shoe-racks-for-your-storage\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>6.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Convert an old soda crate into a spice rack<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-236\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Coke-bottle-spice-rack-project-2-263x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"263\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Coke-bottle-spice-rack-project-2-263x350.jpg 263w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Coke-bottle-spice-rack-project-2.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 263px) 100vw, 263px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/ninered.blogspot.ca\/2010\/04\/spice-rack-update.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/ninered.blogspot.ca\/2010\/04\/spice-rack-update.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Create a fish tank or terrarium out of your old computer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-237\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mac-cube-fish-tank-299x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"299\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mac-cube-fish-tank-299x350.jpg 299w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mac-cube-fish-tank.jpg 363w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/walyou.com\/mac-g4-cube-fish-tank-mod\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/walyou.com\/mac-g4-cube-fish-tank-mod\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>8.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Repurpose old CD jewel cases into photo frames<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-238\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/jewel-case-frame-445x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"445\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/jewel-case-frame-445x350.jpg 445w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/jewel-case-frame.jpg 498w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/content.photojojo.com\/diy\/spinning-cd-photo-frame\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/content.photojojo.com\/diy\/spinning-cd-photo-frame\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>9.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Turn an unwanted sweater or other clothing item into a throw pillow<\/strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-239\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1-IMG_6835-001-500x334.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1-IMG_6835-001-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1-IMG_6835-001-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1-IMG_6835-001.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/maidenjane.blogspot.com\/2014\/01\/how-embarrassing-is-it-for-knitter-and.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/maidenjane.blogspot.com\/2014\/01\/how-embarrassing-is-it-for-knitter-and.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>10.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Repurpose an old clock and board game<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-240\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/scrabble_clock-359x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"359\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/scrabble_clock-359x350.jpg 359w, https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/scrabble_clock.jpg 443w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 359px) 100vw, 359px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field-items\">\n<div class=\"field-item even\">\n<p>Via:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/1800recycling.com\/2011\/01\/recycle-scrabble-tiles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/1800recycling.com\/2011\/01\/recycle-scrabble-tiles\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>There is much more inspiration online, so take a look. And the next time you throw away that old clothes hanger, baby toy or wine bottle, take a moment to think about its hidden potential and let your creativity flow.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212;-<\/p>\n<p>Got any tips or ideas of your own to share? Let us know with a comment below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the hottest decorating trends at the moment is \u201cupcycling\u201d \u2013 where you take an item that you, or someone else, no longer wants and give it second life with a new purpose.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":241,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-apartment-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=230"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.irvinecompanyapartments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}