Turning Junk Into Something Useful

Home Decor Turning Junk into Something
Useful For
By Alexis McClure
Faculty Arts & Design
Abstract
Upcycling is the process of turning waste, often of the sort that is usually
considered "unrecyclable", into something that is useful or of value. A popular
form of upcycling involves creating art with items of waste, and the results can
be spectacular. They can also be practical, as Fennell's bus shelter made out of a
real school bus shows. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, fashions change
with the wind and exceptional artists are few and far between. Many bits of junk
simply get "upcycled" into a different form of junk that will find its way into
landfill within a short space of time, so it's worth asking the question, "What
Makes For Good Upcycling?"
1.0 Introduction
Upcycling serves many purposes, and one of those is to improve the state
of the environment. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Longevity – how long will the upcycled item be kept out of the
waste stream?
Replacement – will the upcycled materials replace the use of new
materials?
Education – does the upcycled work make a point that will
encourage us to change our wasteful ways?
Utility – is the upcycled item useful? Does it fulfil a genuine need?
Recyclability and reusability – can the upcycled item be recycled
or further upcycled when it is no longer needed in its current form?

Volume – does the upcycling activity put a significant dent in the
volume of waste stream that it comes from?
It may be difficult for any one example of upcycling to tick all these
boxes but we don't have to look too far to find highly imaginative
examples of good upcycling.
Thinking of throwing something away? Stop right there! ‗Upcycling‘ is a
process of taking the old and turning it into something new and useful.
The term was first used in 1994, and the practice is now enjoying a
resurgence. Here are 28 innovative ways of taking something unwanted
and turning it into something awesome. Take a look and try some of them
out!(1millionwomen, 2016)
2.0 The Art Of Upcycling
While many art and craft projects only provide waste with a short respite
from the rubbish bin, art can be a good form of upcycling. Susan
Stockwell uses e-waste to great effect, creating a visual impact that makes
us think about the legacy we are creating. While it is likely to grace
galleries for a long time, her work retains its recyclability through its
minimal transformation from its original state.
Figure 1

Humans have probably been upcycling clothing and fabrics since the
dawn of civilisation. Creating colourful quilts out of scraps of fabric is an
old and practical favourite, as is giving a new purpose to old suitcases and
computer monitors.
One area where large quantities of waste can be upcycled is building. It
seems there's no end to the old materials that people have incorporated
into houses, from tyres and bottles through to timber pallets, shipping
containers, aircraft parts and hubcaps!
Upcycling is a well-known process of turning old waste (often
unrecyclable) into something useful or of value. This is most commonly
seen in modern art creations and the results are often incredible. A good
upcycle keeps what was once ‗junk‘ outside of landfill for as long as
possible. Successful upcycling can take some practice. Here are some tips
for a ‗good‘ upcycle.
2.0 Environmental impacts
Upcycling can be done for a number of different purposes, the most wellknown
being to help improve the state of the environment. Environmental
success of an item can be measured against the following criteria.
Longevity — how long can the upcycled item be used and kept
out of the waste system?
Replacement — how well can the item replace the need for new
materials?
Education — can the upcycled item encourage others to change
their wasteful ways?
Utility — how useful is the upcycle item and does it fulfil a
need?
Recyclability and reusability — can the item be upcycled
multiple times when its current form is no longer needed?
Volume — does the upcycling activity put a dent in the volume
of waste stream that it initially comes from?

3.0 Upcycling as an art
Often when we undertake art and craft projects we end up creating plenty
of waste with a short respite from the bin. However, when you think
creatively and strive to tick as much of the criteria mentioned above, the
more amazing the art can be. Upcycling is becoming increasingly popular
across galleries worldwide. However, you don‘t need to be an artist to
create an upcycled piece.
Figure 2
Chances are you have upcycled in the past and just never realised. For
example, clothing and fabrics are often ‗upcycled‘ by making colourful
quilts made up of scraps of fabric. Another common upcycling is the
reuse and new purpose given to old suitcases and computer monitors.
One of the most successful and common forms of upcycling includes
building materials. Many have discovered ways to incorporate old
materials into today‘s houses. Uses include tyres and bottles transformed
into timber pallets, shipping containers, aircraft parts, and hubcaps.
Unlike recycling, upcycling keeps ‗waste‘ in its same physical state and
transforms it into something useful. The two forms of waste management
are not comparable, however, they act almost like companions. Today‘s
waste is continuing to increase every day and the more we can do to
transform waste into resources the better.

Start your upcycling practice by transforming your old cutlery, try out
these upcycling methods today.(racqliving, 2018)
4.0 Find your decoration style
Several years ago, I hosted a ―How to Decorate‖ series on my blog and
had 20+ talented bloggers share their top decorating secrets. This week
we are doing it again! Twenty-five talented bloggers will be sharing with
you their top tips and tricks on how to decorate your home. I hope you‘ll
tune in each day! I am kicking off the series with tips on how to find your
decorating style.
Figure 3
So what are you? Are you contemporary? Traditional? Transitional?
French Country? Rustic? Industrial? Mid-century modern? Coastal?
Cottage? Eclectic? Overwhelmed and confused? If you google ―how to
find your decorating style‖ a myriad of quizzes will pop up promising to
help you pinpoint your unique style. I know myself very well at this point
and can tell you my style…and yet I received a slightly different
decorating style conclusion on all of these quizzes. Some told me I was
cottage, others said I was traditional, one said I was transitional, and
another determined I was coastal. Quizzes that ask your favorite lipstick
color, favorite dog, ideal drink, and ideal vacation, aren‘t necessarily

going to get to the root of your decor style! And the truth of the matter is
that most of us are a healthy mix of several of the above categories. And
the even BIGGER truth is that unless we live alone we are typically
decorating with several personalities and styles in mind!
So let‘s approach the question differently. Let‘s first define what some of
these styles look like today, and then explore ways to pinpoint how your
unique (family‘s) style fits into the mix. Before I start defining these, I
should add a disclaimer that all of these definitions are up for debate. I’m
going to do my best to define the styles as I see them, but know that you
are free to disagree with me! There are just too many styles to cover in
one post, but I will highlight some of the most popular ones which
should hopefully give you a sense of where you might fit in.
4.1 Contemporary
Contemporary style is often interchanged with ―modern‖ which
isn‘t accurate. Contemporary decorating is about the ―here and
now‖. It can best be characterized by: less is more, clean lines,
emphasis on lines and form, neutral and tonal colors paired with
bold pops of color, open spaces, and natural lighting. Here are
some examples below that encapsulate the contemporary style.
Figure 4

4.2 Traditional
Traditional decorating is about comfort, coziness, rounded sofa
arms, elegance, symmetrical arrangements, rich moldings and
attention to woodwork. Classic traditional conjures up images
rooted in old-English style—dripping in dark woods, heavy
draperies, hunter green, and persian rugs. NEW traditional however
is different. New traditional is classic and comfortable, but allows
for some fun and youthfulness to be interjected.
Figure 5
4.3 Transitional
If contemporary and traditional got married and had a baby, that
baby would be named transitional! Seems sort of like it should be
named Trademporary or Contempditional, but those are harder to
pronounce and might elicit teasing in the schoolyard. Transitional
decorating finds the sweet spot between the comfort and warmth of
traditional style and the clean lines and metallic goodness of
contemporary style.

This look usually has contemporary staple pieces of furniture
paired with warm woods and sophisticated metallics.
4.4 Cottage Style
Figure 6
Cottage style decor is light, airy, personal and casual. Under this
decor style umbrella you could include: rustic, farmhouse, coastal,
country, french country, shabby chic and even industrial decor.
Each of these styles has their own unique look, of course, but they
share many commonalities.
Figure 7

Cottage decor incorporates modest moldings such as plank walls,
well-worn or reused vintage pieces, second hand treasures,
and painted furniture. It is a look that is easy to achieve on a tight
budget.(homestoriesatoz, 2016)
5.0 DIY Projects for Junk Around Your Home
Do you have items lying around your house or stuffed into drawers that
you can‘t do much with but that you don‘t want to throw out? Do you like
saving money while reducing wastefulness at the same time? Finding
creative ways to use junk items in your home is a great way to satisfy
those needs! Your junk drawers, recycling bins, and even the spare
change beneath your couch cushions have the potential to become
beautiful DIY projects. Check out the ideas below for some projects to
try. After all, one man‘s trash is another man‘s treasure!(―25 Really Cool
Cat Furniture Design Ideas Every Cat Owner Needs,‖ 2015)
Make ornaments with CDs you no longer use

Make a moonlight lamp from rolled magazine pages
Figure 8

Create a beautiful vase with your extra pennies
Figure 9

Create paper baskets for baked goods with extra paper plates

Turn spare shoelaces into woven bracelets
Figure 10

Use photo negatives to make a memory-filled lamp shade
Figure 11

Turn an old tennis ball into an adorable holder
Create a bracelet out of soda can tabs

Figure 12
Use junk mail to make fun paper garlands
Figure 13
Make a candle inside an empty Altoids tin (instructions here)

Figure 14
Line drawers with unwanted or used gift wrap
Figure 15
Create keychains with wine corks

Figure 16
Glue old cassette tapes together to make a pencil holder
Figure 17
Find creative ways to use old toys as bookends

Figure 18
Cut holes in a show boxes to hide and organize cords!
Figure 19
6.0 The Importance of Decorating
While a Pinterest-perfect home is far from necessary, a home that makes
you smile surely is. Whether you have a home full of coveted antiques,

cool modern furniture, or nothing but IKEA, if your home makes you
happy, that‘s what really matters.
6.1 Your Home is an oasis
Treat your home like the paradise that it is. Home is where we
enjoy time with friends, relax after a long day, and create amazing
memories. When decorating your home, think about the purpose
you want it to serve, and design with that purpose in mind. Just by
choosing the right bedsheets and paint, your room can become
more relaxing, letting you have a better night‘s sleep. A larger
dining table with comfortable chairs encourages your beloved
guests to stay for one more glass of wine.
6.2 Express Yourself
“Home is where we create, relax, live, and love. A well-decorated
home is a stage for a well-lived life.”
Just as one expresses themselves through their hairstyle or outfits,
your home can be a true reflection of who you really are. If you
live alone, go all out! Pick your favorite pieces and items and get
creative, mixing and matching until your eyes see nothing that does
not bring joy. If you share your home, collaborate with that person.
Ask them what is important to them, what they love. While
challenging, finding a way to bring two styles together can be a
bonding experience, and the end product something you will both
enjoy for a lifetime. When friends walk through your door, they
should look around and see you.
6.3 Don’t Forget Your Past
Your home is the perfect place to sprinkle meaningful pieces
around. Your grandmother‘s chair, a photo of a city you love, or an
uncle‘s painting are tangible ways to pay homage to the people and
places we love. Mixing old with new is a sure way to create an
interesting, beautiful space. You‘ll literally be surrounding yourself
with love when you incorporate family pieces with your own
personal picks.

Your home can be whatever you want it to be. Don‘t overlook the
power of decorating. Allow your home to be appealing,
comfortable, and serve a purpose beyond simply being a shelter.
Home is where we create, relax, live, and love. A well-decorated
home is a stage for a well-lived life.(shescharming, n.d.)
For those of you that are regular readers around here, you may
have noticed my absence last week. Our entire family came down
with the worst sick bug we have experienced to date! The hubby
used some of his first sick days in 10 years, and we all looked like
death warmed over. Thankfully we are on the road to recovery
now, but even yesterday I was still feeling over taken by the
sickness, and wondered if and when this nasty virus was ever going
to leave! While being sick is never easy – I mean who likes to
involuntarily stop in their tracks while their body tries to fight off
disease. By day 2 I tried to embrace the inevitable and realize my
body needed some rest. While I was laying on our couch, getting
the much needed rest my body was requiring, I couldn‘t help but
look around our living spaces and do some reflecting.
Figure 20

While my body was regaining energy, I was feeling a bit refreshed
myself. I was soaking in our cozy, farmhouse decor, looking
around and smiling at all that had been done to make this house our
home, and I was reminded of a quote I had read that really rang
true to my heart‘s desire when it came to decorating our home. The
quote came from one of my favourite bloggers new book at the
time, Love the Home You Have by: Melissa Michaels from The
Inspired Room.
Figure 21
As I laid on our couch, shivering in my own flu symptoms, and
taking care of my sick family around me, I couldn‘t help but feel
this as I allowed our home the chance to serve us. So many times
my efforts are put into pouring in to our home, fluffing the couch
so it‘s cozy to plop onto. Picking up everyday piles that collect as
we carry on with work and school. Doing the dishes and wiping
down the counters so things are clean and put away. All
investments I put into our home to make it a welcoming place for
my family, and anyone else who happens to stop by. But rarely do

we get to stop and sit back for a moment, and allow our homes to
serve us. You see last week when we were all sick, and had no
energy to maintain daily routines, the only thing I could do was
stop and be still. But it allowed me the chance to look around, and
lean in on that cozy couch I fluffed all the time. To put empty soup
bowls and dirty mugs with left over tea remnants in the sink, that
soothed our throats and tummies while we tried to get better.
Figure 22
All those investments of pouring into our house came full circle
when we were sick, and our home offered us a place of comfort
and rest so we could get better. As I laid there and looked around
our home, I felt refreshed because I was in an environment that
inspired me and welcomed me in to rest, so I could regain my
energy to go back out into the world. Something, that in the busy
everyday life can get over looked. So the next time you think it‘s
silly to fluff those pillows, or buy that pretty frame that makes you
smile, or re-arrange your furniture for a room re-fresh, remember
that as much as we serve our homes, they are truly there to serve
us. That they really welcome us in for refreshment, and offer us a
place to rest and regroup, so we can put our best selves forward.
I‘ll be back tomorrow to share more on that cute little farmhouse
table in between our chairs. The newest addition to our Living
Room.(roomsforrentblog, n.d.)

The bedroom is the most important room in the house though many
may not realize this. In most cases, much emphasis is put on the
sitting room with the assumption that it holds more importance for
visitors. It is true that the living room is the first place a person will
see, and so it takes most of the attention for many people.
Figure 23
Other rooms are as important too and the make the house a whole.
A house can be likened to parts of body. Each is important because
they make you whole. Each room in the room has to stand out and
be at the same level as the rest of the house.
Decorating a house is an exercise that carries a lot of importance
not only for the occupants but for anyone else who may visit.
Because of this, it is good to understand why you should do it.

If it is rally your house, the motive behind decorating it in a
specific manner tell how you feel about living in it. In most cases a
person‘s status in life is defined by the way their houses look. A
nice house will tell about the people who live in it.
The trickiest part of making a house look lovely is in finishing.
Anyone who has ever built a house will tell you that the finishing
part is the one that takes more money, energy and concentration.
As much as the foundation is important, it does not need as much
concentration as the finishing.
The choice of colors for your house can be quite challenge.
Someone may decide to paint the whole outside white with a few
black here and there for example, that is easy for the outside. The
inside is what brings more trouble and needs a lot of thinking.
The inside of the house is more delicate because there are so many
things involved. There are the items you place in the house, the
curtains you loose on your windows, the covers you use for your
furniture. Everything needs to blend in to create a unique
environment. Your house should make you feel comfortable
enough to want to stay in. decorating your house can be the best
way to make sure it is really a home worth calling home. If you
give it your best, you get the best. Here are importance of
decoration for you and your house.
Even if you are vacating your property it‘s essential to keep your
junk material with and use then in future to decorate your new
house.(BondCleaninginPerth, 2014)
6.4 For blending
If you have ever listened to a well arranged and played piece of
music, you will realize that it is only good if every part blends in
well to produce a perfect harmony. Music makers know that every
voice must fall into the key it is pitched in. if any fall out, then the
whole piece will suffer a blow. This is true for everything else in
life, if you have staff that does not agree with the rest of your staff,
you will have trouble keeping up and creating a balance in your
life.

Decorating a house creates that same feeling too. You feel like
every part has fallen in place to give you a perfect feeling of
satisfaction. if you have a grey wall for example and you hang on it
say photos in silver frames, you will feel if the colors are actually
communicating. Each room can have a different color on the wall
but still you feel like the blend is actually there.
Colors speak and they tell stories whether you know it or not.
Everyone has a favorite color. Not two people will like exactly the
same color the same way. Now if you are decorating with emphasis
on coloration, you need to put in mind the colors that you really
need rather than those you want.
Colors can brighten up your house or make it gloomy. Consider
very well the outside environment when choosing your colors.
Sometimes the environment may not actually blend with your
colors and you find a gloomy mood where you wanted to create a
joyful one. Through colors, you can make your own life happy or
sad. This may sound strange, but it is true. For example, black is
usually associated with sad moments.
The staff that you put in each room will show you if there is
something with your arrangement. Take your bedroom
arrangement for instance, if you have a super king size bed in it, it
usually means your room in large enough to hold it and leave some
space.(dmagazine.com, 2015)
You must think carefully of what you put on the bed too. What are
the colors and the material of your beddings? Do they really blend?
You could be having nice cotton quilted quit cover for your
mattress, but does it match the color choice for the rest of the
room? All these must be put into consideration if you have to really
bring in the feeling.
7.0 Decorating a house is actually a fun activity
Fun does not always mean that you must go out and have a very eventful
day. You can just stay home and create your own fun place. If you enjoy
staying in your house, it means that it really gives you joy to see how you
have planned. There is always something that gives you joy whenever

you look at. It could be that beautiful doona cover in your bedroom, or
the way the furniture is arranged in your house. Whatever it is, you must
make it look like it really counts and is worth your while.
There are people who consider house decoration as a hobby. House
decoration creates the mood for what is happening around it. A special
occasion taking place in a certain house will give direction on what is
going on. People who arrange parties a lot in their houses uses
decorations to set the mood and also give direction. Decorating a house
brings joy to the person doing it and if it is your hobby, you will do it
over and over without ever feeling tired.(Anna, 2018)
8.0 Conclusion
“The point of decorating, as far as I can tell, is to create the background
for the best life you can have.
Decoration can be life-enhancing. It can make dinner parties more fun,
kids happier, relaxing easier, talks more intimate, guests at ease. And to
think, decorating is often considered frivolous. Making a charmed and
happy home is a noble endeavor.
The simple secret is making sure that every decorating decision
contributes to the creation of beauty and comfort. Beauty to uplift our
senses (to transcend the mundane) and comfort to make us feel taken care
of (to embrace us in the mundane).‖
Well said Madame Needleman, well said.
We do this home beautifying thing — this fabric fixating, wallpaper
waxing, pillow pondering, candle lighting, furniture obsessing enterprise
because it makes life better.

References
1millionwomen. (2016). The Art Of Upcycling: Turning Junk Into Something
Useful | 1 Million Women. Retrieved May 31, 2018, from
https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/art-upcycling-turning-junksomething-useful/
25 Really Cool Cat Furniture Design Ideas Every Cat Owner Needs. (2015).
Retrieved May 31, 2018, from
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/25-really-cool-cat-furnituredesign-ideas-every-cat-owner-needs.html
Anna. (2018). What is the importance of decorating your house? – Anna –
Medium. Retrieved May 31, 2018, from
https://medium.com/@hosierjennas/what-is-the-importance-of-decoratingyour-house-c782d7aedbf9
BondCleaninginPerth. (2014). 5 Important Things to Remember While
Vacating Your Property - Bond Cleaning Perth. Retrieved May 31, 2018,
from https://www.bondcleaninginperth.com.au/5-important-thingsremember-vacating-property/
dmagazine.com. (2015). Why Is All this Decorating Stuff So Important
Anyway? - D Magazine. Retrieved May 31, 2018, from
https://www.dmagazine.com/home-garden/2012/03/why-is-all-thisdecorating-stuff-so-important-anyway/
homestoriesatoz. (2016). How to Decorate Series: Finding Your Decorating
Style - Home Stories A to Z. Retrieved May 31, 2018, from
https://www.homestoriesatoz.com/decorating/how-to-decorate-seriesfinding-your-decorating-style.html
racqliving. (2018). The art of upcycling - RACQ Living. Retrieved May 31,
2018, from https://racqliving.com.au/home/the-art-of-upcycling/
roomsforrentblog. (n.d.). Why Home Decor is so Important - Rooms For Rent
blog. Retrieved May 31, 2018, from
http://roomsforrentblog.com/2016/04/home-decor-important/
shescharming. (n.d.). The Importance of Decorating - She‘s Charming.
Retrieved May 31, 2018, from http://shescharming.com/blog/theimportance-of-decorating