Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about Redecorate Your Home for—and with—Pennies and hope the blog can help you.
You can get all the luster of a metallic surface without breaking the bank. The trick? Use pennies. Incorporating the coins into your design as a material can save money per square foot, and because the small copper “tiles” vary in appearance, they create a unique dimensional texture that looks luxurious. It may take some patience to lay out each penny individually, but the resulting statement piece will definitely amp up your DIY cred. So, gather up all those pennies weighing down your change purse or rattling in your car’s cup holder, and flip through to see the creative projects you can make with them.
A Nice Reflection
For an unconventionally gilded frame, consider outlining your entryway mirror with pennies. This blogger adhered $9 worth of coins to a mirror’s plain, flat frame with strong glue as a farewell tribute to the Canadian penny when it was phased out of circulation.
A Horse, of Course
Faux animal heads are a big trend in home decor. Take yours to the next level by covering it with a range of slightly tarnished pennies that, from afar, mimic the coloring of animal skin. Just be sure to properly mount the bust to the wall, because the metal coins will add a lot of extra weight.
Take It for 'Granite'
Granite countertops can cost hundreds—even thousands—of dollars. This kitchen countertop, however, which consists of rows of pennies sealed in a two-part epoxy resin, averaged out to just $7.50 per square foot. Now that’s a lot of bang for your buck!
Alcove Ambitions
An architectural feature found in many homes, an alcove can often present a design challenge for homeowners who are unsure what to do with the shallow space. Here’s a “cents”-able solution: Tile the area with pennies to create a bold, shimmering backdrop that even enhances the cove’s display lighting.
Dollar Menu
A coating of copper coins can turn a simple papier-mâché base into an industrial-looking piece of art. This apt message required two layers of pennies to cover the narrow lines in the block letters, and then an application of clear spray paint to seal and protect.
A Bright, Shiny Statement
From a distance you would never guess that this luxe-looking desk is simply a plywood construction covered in pennies. Pro tip: Before attaching the coins to the desk with epoxy, dunk each penny in a tarnish-removing solution to bring out its brilliance.
Look for Lincoln
This expansive, penny-tiled floor is the perfect showpiece in the home of a mosaic artist. Upon close inspection, you might notice that each one of the hundreds of coins sits face-up with Lincoln looking in the same direction. The entire installation was grouted and then sealed with a polyurethane floor sealant for protection.
For More…
If you’re interested in more upcycling projects, consider:
It pays to be green when you collect rainwater for your landscaping needs. Start saving on your water bill this very weekend by setting up a rain barrel based on one of these easy designs.
We all know that plastic isn’t exactly eco-friendly, so if you want to do your part to protect the planet, the best course of action is to reduce the amount of plastic waste you generate. But if you happen to have a used plastic bottle lying around, your best option is to recycle it—unless you’re in a particularly creative mood, in which case you can use it as the basis for a crafty DIY project.
Old wooden crates tend to evoke feelings of nostalgia—of the simple, good life. They also happen to be an amazingly versatile (and often free) source of inspiration for creative furniture, decorative home accents, inventive storage solutions, and more. From natural to rustic to vintage, each wooden crate has its own distinct character. What you do with them is up to you: some crates may have enough personality to stand on their own; others may want some paint, stain, or other embellishments. So whether you have single wooden crate and an hour of time—or a whole bunch and a weekend to dedicate to your project—here are eight modern ideas for giving old crates new life.
Garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets are great resources for finding furniture, decor, and other housewares for a steal. But there are some used products that run the risk of being dirty, in disrepair, or just downright dangerous. Don’t let a low price tag persuade you—avoid picking up these 11 secondhand items that may be the worse for wear.
Practical, flexible, and customizable, the room divider is one of the unsung heroes of the home design toolkit. An attractive version can add textural interest to a bland space, define living and sleeping zones in an open loft home, or disguise a cluttered corner in any room. Want to divide and conquer your space? Check out these inventive, wallet-friendly room divider ideas to DIY or buy.
Drinking straws seem to have only one purpose, but they have become a DIY darling. It’s not hard to see why: They’re produced in an endless range of fun colors and patterns, they’re cheap, and they’re super-versatile. Check out these 10 unexpected ways to use these terrific little tubes everywhere from the kitchen to the home office.