9 ideas on how to repurpose 'found' items into rustic design pieces for your home

Décor is just one way that you can take a generic-looking space and make it your own. There are countless ways that you can design a space to reflect your own style, hobbies and personality. That being said, buying brand-new designer pieces to outfit your space can become pricey, and new pieces may not have the charming or quirky personality that older pieces have.
Using "found" items is a fantastic way to customize your space, create one-of-a-kind pieces and truly add personality to a room. Found or upcycled items have stories all their own that make for unique additions to any space over mass-produced pieces.
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1. Unique Light Fixtures
Light fixtures are one of the easiest ways to upcycle and repurpose found items. Here, bird cages have been repurposed into chandeliers, becoming the focal point of the room. Mason jars and glass bottles also make stunning light fixtures that can give a room a rustic feel quickly and easily.
2. Crate Lid Serving Tray
Serving trays are easy to customize, and they can be made from a variety of flat items. This serving tray was made from a wooden crate lid and customized with wood stain and decorative handles.
3. Tea Light Centerpieces
Have a space that needs bit of soft lighting but don't want to worry with wires and lamp kits? Creating tea light fixtures from old mason jars, a wooden ladder and some interesting iron work is a great way to liven up a space. The soft lighting is perfect for spaces both indoor and outdoor.
4. Pallet Piece
With interest on Pinterest soaring, pallet art and pallet pieces are now more popular than ever. This vertical pallet planter is a stunning way to add color and vibrancy to an otherwise stark and cramped space. Pallets are inexpensive and can be used to make just about anything from furniture to planters like this to shelves.
5. Window Frame Art
Windows are a perfect example of how some items can have more than one life. After the glass is removed, these window frames become something you look at, not through. Adding rustic accents adds to the charm and allows for maximum personalization.
6. Baskets Galore
Old baskets can have new life with a fresh coat of paint and a featured place in your home office or entryway. These baskets can store anything from keys to letters to books, making them both beautiful and functional.
7. Mason Jar Art
Mason jars are one of the most versatile items when it comes to giving found items new life. They can be used as vases, pencil jars, makeup brush holders, candle holders, drinking glasses and so much more. If you don't have mason jars, you can reuse and decorate a variety of glass jars, such as jam jars or pasta sauce jars.
8. Twine Projects
Plain twine can do wonders when it comes to repurposing items. Wrapping Styrofoam cones with twine creates cute rustic Christmas trees. Reuse wrapping paper on small gifts and tie up with a bow with twine. Wrapping old milk bottles in twine is a simple way to give them rustic elegance.
9. New Life to Old Piece
Instead of sending old pieces of furniture to the junk yard, give them new life. A fresh coat of paint (or sanding the old paint to look purposely worn) and new mismatched handles are easy ways to give an ordinary piece of furniture a charming look.
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Design and décor are the unsung heroes of any space. With these fantastic ideas for repurposing found items, you can save money and give your space a whole lot of personality.
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