11 tips to transform unused items into unique decor pieces

1. Sarees: Old silk saree worn by Indian women can be used in different ways.The look of the room could be transformed by adding a contrast colour of your saree to the space. These could be used in two different ways. One by converting them into simple floor length curtains or getting them stitched into blinds or roman curtains. Multicoloured cushion covers could add a tinge to a mono coloured sofa set. The contrasting coloured saree can be cut into small regular or irregular sizes and can be framed as artefacts as well. Both these options would complement each other and make the room look luxurious. Rich look printed cotton saree can also be used for the same instead of silk saree.
Maintenance: The curtains and cushion covers made of silk saree need to be dry cleaned after certain time because they catch stains easily. It should be taken care that the frames should be covered with glass so that dust cannot penetrate inside. It would further require simple cleaning by a dry cloth to remove the dust particles from the surface.

2. Bathtubs: If you got a new bathroom made, you can convert the old bath tub into a beautiful piece of furniture. For this amazing piece of furniture, you need to first have a claw foot bathtub. Cut it into two halves and give a finishing to the edges. Detach the claw foots for the time being and paint it according to your choice. Further add a foamed cushioning to it, upholster it with your desired combination of colour and print according to the decor. Attach the claw foots again and your creative sofa is ready. If the claw foot bathtub is not available, a normal bath tub can be used and an external leg can be attached to it further.
Maintenance: As far as maintenance is concerned this furniture does not require regular maintenance except wiping it with a dry cloth or may be using a vacuum cleaner. You could repaint the bathtub after certain period of time.

3. Ladders: Stairs have been used in a conventional way since long. Now it’s time to use it in a more creative way. You can either use these as raw and distressed or paint it new depending on the space where it will be placed. With the longest bar, it could be inversely fastened with the wall, which can be used to hang clothes and other accessories. The other potential use of the stairs would be a book showcase, displaying your favourite books and stories. The bookshelf could also become a part of a kid’s room, preferably boy, hence associating with their qualities of a strong and masculine behaviour with that of a ladder.
Maintenance: The repurposed ladder does not require high maintenance, but it should be polished and repainted after regular intervals to avoid termite action (applicable for both wooden and iron ladders).

4. Doors: Old doors merely used to open and close the entrance of a room can be reused and made into an accessory of utmost aesthetics and functionality. It would also give a transitional look to a space when decorated in a modern way. These could either be used raw or can be further modified depending on the usage of the accessory. The possible options to use it include using it as a bookshelf to store favourite publishes, photo display to preserve old memories, entertainment console table to keep television and related accessories. You can also use it as a partition or room divider, a planter rack to increase the greenery around your space, outdoor furniture table and to hang picnic table.
Maintenance: The reused doors can be polished and repainted with different colours and textures, which would give it a new look and on the other hand protect it from termite attacks.

5. Tyres: Tyres used for transportation purposes can be creatively used as well. Since these tubeless tyres have a property of strong tear and tensile strength and can bear an extensively heavy load, it would be a good option of using it for seating. Cushion it with the required upholstery and print to make it an integral part of formal as well as informal living room. As tyres are resistant to dust and water, this could also be used as outdoor furniture. Punctured design on the tyre combined with embedded lights can illuminate the room and further function as a decorative hanging light. This would aptly suit the industrial design style of interiors.
Maintenance: These are low maintenance products and could be easily cleaned with a dry cloth or a vacuum cleaner.

6. Suitcases: Suitcase can be used in many creative ways. One method is to use it as floating shelves. For this you can convert an old vintage suitcase into a formal or informal living seating to give a contemporary and vintage look to the space. This would require a power saw to cut the suitcases to size and then mount it to the wall with L-brackets. You can add cushion and matching or contrasting upholstery to it for extra enhanced comfort. Then just add legs or casters to it. You could also skip the feet and directly place it on the floor or create an adorable bookshelf in the boring and awkward corner of the room by adding some contrast print inside it. You can also decorate it as an ottoman and use the required upholstery. This can be used in any room to increase the seating.
Maintenance: To clean use a dry cloth and remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner. This is sufficient to maintain these products.

7. Milk crates: The ugly looking plastic milk crates can be creatively reused and made into a statement piece for your house. These crates can be upholstered with your favourite print and colour. Repaint the crate again either with the same colour or a different contrasting colour. If you wish to hide the crate, you could also cover it with a jute rope or a simple cloth cover.
Maintenance: The cushioning could be renewed with time to let the product look new and fresh.Wipe with a dry cloth to clean the product easily. The crates could also be repainted for a different and novel look. Ensure that broken crates should not be used.

8. Shopping carts: The stainless steel coated cart have always been of great help in shopping stores but this time it can also be a part of your interior or outdoor decor. Cushioning on the lounge chair is not mandatory; it would entirely depend on the comfort of the user.
Maintenance: This low maintenance product just requires a regular wiping and cleaning with a wet and dry cloth to remove excessive dirt.

9. Cheese graters: An old cheese grater can be used as a lamp to illuminate your home. These look beautiful in the corner of a room or garden. You can paint this decor piece in multiple shades and colours.
Maintenance: The minimum care required for this set of product is changing the bulb inside after it gets fused. Simple wiping with cloth would be enough for the product to sustain for lifetime.

10. Musical drums: Drums in different colours and sizes can be used in different ways to enhance your home décor. The bass drums are big enough to work as a functional coffee table or centre table. This could also be an option for the study of any boy’s room, considering the size is comfortable enough for him to study. Smaller drums can also be used as side tables in the living room or bedroom.
Maintenance: In case of lamps change the bulb when it gets fused. This is mandatory.

11. Drums: Drums have been used in various ways to store various household items. Empty drums in good condition can be reused as a collection of furniture for any interior space. The rusted and discarded ones can be innovatively used by adding a piece of cushioning and upholstering it with the required contrast of colours and prints. The 55-gallons of drums shown in the image were cut and turned into a comfortable patio set with some funky printed coloured cushions.
Maintenance: To clean use a dry cloth and to remove dust use a vacuum cleaner. Also repaint and polish after a certain period of time.