Volume 1 of my ReStore Round-up back in August was such a big hit that I decided to make it a regular series here on the blog. You’ll find a new edition here at Live at Julie’s House the first week of October, December, February, April, June, and August.
The ReStore is truly a DIY-er’s paradise, isn’t it? You can find the raw materials for your next big crazy project and help support Habitat for Humanity all at the same time. I’ve collected 20+ of my favorite ReStore transformations from talented bloggers around the country. I hope you’re as inspired as I am!
20+ ReStore Upcycle Projects
If you’re not familiar, the Habitat ReStores are not for profit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell building materials, appliances, furniture and home goods. Sales support the work ofHabitat for Humanity. You can donate surplus goods (which keeps them out of the landfill), score awesome deals for your house, PLUS you’re supporting the work of a terrific organization. Win, win, and WIN!
ReStore Lighting
Habitat ReStores are usually jam packed with dated light fixtures that just need a little love. There is all sorts of potential, especially if you think outside the idea of “lighting”. Don’t believe me?
Allison at Dream a Little Bigger turned a rusty ReStore chandelier into a fun and whimsical birdhouse for her mom’s back yard.
So bright and happy….and it looks like the local wildlife appreciates it too.
Camille at Be What We Love turns $2 ceiling light domes into super-cute cake stands.
Gail at My RePurposed Life turned a dated chandelier into a stylish outdoor jute wrapped candelier.
Inspired by a light fixture with a $1000+ price tag, Emily A. Clark found a huge, brassy lantern at her local ReStore and transformed it into a stylish knock-off for her office:
My Habitat ReStore Lantern Redo
ReStore Building Materials
The ReStore is a great place to donate your surplus building materials after a remodel, but it’s also an awesome place to find things like old doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom fixtures at rock bottom prices.
Leigh Anne over at Houseologie made a nice big craft table out of materials she found at her local ReStore.
How to DIY a Sawhorse Desk for Crafts
I don’t know about you , but I could totally use one of these at my house.
Brittany, aka Pretty Handy Girl turned some upper kitchen cabinets into a handy shoe storage bench that would be great in an entryway.
How to Turn a Shoe Storage Bench out of a Habitat ReStore Wall Cabinet
If you’ve ever looked at used kitchen cabinets, you know they are usually coated with a lot of yucky grease. Brittany shared her best cleaning solution for cutting the gunk and making way for a fresh new coat of paint. You can also check out a video of Brittany doing a demonstration at the Cary, NC Habitat ReStore.
I turned a pile of louvered bi-fold closet doors into a funky, boho screen that ended up on my deck.
Jeanie at Create & Babble turned a cabinet door into a very sweet little coat rack.
This door from Pauline at My Altered State is a work of art:
I’m totally lusting after this piece! Pauline started with a ReStore door and added bits and pieces of this and that. The result is spectacular!
Here’s another project from Gail at My RePurposed Life:
Shutters Repurposed into Bookshelf
Gail is a master at repurposing her ReStore finds, don’t you think?
Wondering what you might do with all those doors and windows you find at the ReStore? The Empress of Dirt, aka Melissa, shared 12+ ideas:
12+ Ideas for Doors and Windows in the Garden
I especially love the pair of doors turned into a garden arbor with a pergola top….I’ve got a similar idea planned for my garden for next summer. I can’t wait!
Lisa at Condo Blues used laminate flooring from the ReStore to make a rolling chair mat for her desk. So clever.
How to Make an Office Chair Mat
You don’t always have to completely remake your ReStore finds….sometimes you can find the perfect addition to your house and put it to use as-is.
Deborah and Tom over at Salvage Sister & Mister upgraded their builder basic stainless steel sink to this beauty they found at the ReStore for just $8.
ReStore Furniture Transformations
My local ReStore isn’t big enough to carry furniture, so they focus on building materials and appliances – which makes me awfully jealous of these fun finds from other parts of the country.
Wow! Can you believe the dramatic makeover this chair got from Jen at Girl in the Garage?
The Anything but Boring Chair, My First Big Furniture Reupholster Redo – Themed Furniture Makeover
If you’re nervous about tackling an upholstery project, you’ll appreciate Jen’s step by step tutorial.
Angela from Blue i Style turned a basic printer stand from the ReStore into a snazzy bar cart.
Turning a Printer Stand into a Rolling Bar Cart
Using a countertop transformation kit to give the top a granite look was a genius idea and it turned out beautifully.
Jennifer and Vicki at 2 Bees in a Pod turned a huge honking office credenza into a stylish and useful dresser for a large walk-in closet:
Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rule made an adorable little bench out of a twin headboard and footboard set.
Brooke at Brooklyn Berry Designs turned this plain-Jane office chair into a fun and sassy addition to your home office.
Lynn at One Fern Avenue gets a lot of the furniture she transforms at the ReStore, and the results are always amazing. This broken down and beat up desk was no exception.
Maison Blanche Wrought Iron Desk Makeover
Did you ever run across a piece that left you baffled about what it originally was? Debra at Shoppe No. 5 volunteers at her local ReStore and she stumbled on this little table with a pop-out top. It has a cushion on the other side…what do you think it was originally used for?
I Could Not Figure Out What This Was For
Which project in the ReStore Round-up is your favorite? I hope the Volume 2 collection inspires you to stop by your local ReStore and find your own treasures to transform.
If you’d like to be featured in a future ReStore Round-up, send me a link via email or if you’re a member of the Blogging over Breakfast Facebook group you can add it to the thread there.
I’m linking the ReStore Round-Up: Vol. 2 up at some terrific blog parties – you can find the complete list of places I party HERE.
Did you miss Volume 1? You can find it HERE.