6 Ways to Reuse Old Hardwood Flooring
Guest post
Replacing your hardwood floors? Our new contributing writer shares several creative ways to reuse your old flooring and simultaneously save the environment. I call that a win win for sure.
When you think about recycling and keeping the environment a cleaner and safer place, you may just think about plastics and metals. Those are certainly excellent considerations, but there’s another waste that is actually harming the environment: Wood. Waste that comes from wood is a hazard due to its link to deforestation. Because wood is so often used as an energy source, building material, and numerous other practices, areas are constantly being cleared of wood to feed those demands.
A sure way around halting or at least limiting deforestation–and all of the terrible consequences–is by recycling wood that you already own. If you’re considering removing your old hardwood flooring, you’re going to be left with a lot of wood on your hands. Instead of burning it up or just throwing it in the dumpster, here a few things you can do to reuse the wood and help the environment in the process.
1. Build New Cabinet Doors
That old hardwood flooring likely has quite a unique design to it after its years of use. You can utilize that design and turn it into a piece to be highlighted. Simply take enough of the wood and craft yourself a cabinet door. Either you can attempt to make it yourself or have a professional do it for you. Many professionals these days are becoming experienced with using recycled or reclaimed wood and creating art out of it. They can equip you with a cabinet door that is unlike anything else anyone owns.
2. Cover a Ceiling
If you don’t want to use the wood as a floor anymore, maybe you should consider using it as a ceiling instead. If you have enough, you can cover one of the ceilings in a room to give it a fresh look. This is especially handy in areas that are often cold because wood is an excellent insulator. So, if someone has a bedroom in the attic or basement, you may want to consider using that old wood to transform their room into a toasty blanket during the winter months.
3. Build a Table
For those who want to make the most out of their hardwood flooring, why not transform it into a piece of furniture? Not only will it serve for a practical use, but it can be a beautiful piece that you might just pass down to future generations. Depending on how much wood you have to work with, you can make a dining table, coffee table, or even a few small end tables for your bedroom. The choices are endless.
4. Build a Chair
Similar to a table, if you have enough wood, you could make a unique chair that is unlike anything else. Utilize your creativity or take the wood to a designer who can craft a signature piece out of the old hardwood flooring. Not only can it serve as a talking point for guests, but you have a brand new piece of furniture that was likely a fraction of the cost to obtain. Whether this chair is for use inside or outside of the home, it should be seeing a lot of use. More importantly, all of that wood wouldn’t have gone to waste.
5. Art Deco
For those who only have small pieces of wood, instead of tossing them out, you can use those too. Perhaps the simplest piece you can craft is a picture frame. This requires little wood but makes a photograph stand out even more. Depending on the amount of wood you have, you can create large, small, or medium art deco pieces to place on the walls. By getting in touch with your artistic side, you can paint them and even turn them into full-on art. Craft a welcome sign or just hang a piece of art to hang it outside for all to see. The possibilities are endless.
6. Toys
If you have children, they may be buried in electronics. However, there’s nothing wrong with wooden toys. In fact, your children may find a great deal of enjoyment by actually expending energy using their hands and imaginations. By using the hardwood flooring, you can create old and new wooden toys that can delight your children. The best part is, it didn’t cost you anything at the local toy store to provide them with this new entertainment.
By taking an active role in reclaiming your hardwood flooring instead of letting it go to waste, you’re helping the environment. Besides that, you can enjoy brand new unique pieces of furniture, toys, or art that make a bold statement.
AUTHOR BIO:
Bruce MacDonald leads the team at MacDonald Hardwoods, a hardwood flooring store in Denver, Colorado providing sustainable hardwoods. For over three decades they have serviced Colorado with installations, cleaning, and even conducted educational classes to help customers take care of their floors.
Which was your fav way to re use hardwood flooring? I loved the ceiling idea!
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Inspiring creativity,
Ricci
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