When I first started building with recycled materials, one project I dreamed of was a headboard bench. They were everywhere—Pinterest, Instagram, DIY blogs—you name it. But finding a matching headboard and footboard was harder than I expected. So instead, I got creative and built this DIY headboard bench with storage using two mismatched headboards and salvaged wood.
When a friend saw a stunning chalkboard hat and coat rack in a shop, she loved it—except for the price tag. She asked if I could create something similar using recycled materials, and I was more than happy to help. I had just the thing: an old wooden headboard, perfect for this DIY upcycling project.
Over the years, I’ve made several wine barrel tables—each one with its own unique feature. For this table, I wanted to try something a little more refined by adding a Greek key design to the tabletop. At first, I thought a stencil would do the trick. But all I could find were small repeats, which would’ve taken forever to line up, and I’m not the most patient DIYer.
If you’ve browsed my website, you’ll notice that nearly every project I’ve shared has been made using recycled or salvaged materials. This approach has allowed me to continue my hobby without spending much on supplies—an essential trick if you love woodworking or DIY but need to stick to a budget. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to get your DIY materials for free so you can build more for less.
Vintage display cabinets like curio boxes often pop up on local buy-swap-sell sites, but they can be hard to repurpose. I came across a miniature one recently. It is still in good condition but far too dated to resell as-is. Restoring it wouldn’t have added much value, and these pieces don’t suit most modern homes. But rather than letting it go to the landfill, I saw its potential for something entirely different.
Keeping elderly residents entertained and engaged can be a challenge, especially when you’re filling in as the activities officer with no prior experience. As a full-time aged care nurse, I found myself in that exact position. Wanting to offer something fun, inclusive and different, I decided to create a bean bag toss game for the elderly.