Image by artist Benjamin Shine
Using existing materials, some unconventional, to create a new object is the essence of repurposing.
MORE: 5 Repurposed Plastic Bottle DIY Transformations
With a focus on minimizing waste and using what’s at your disposal, prepare yourself to be impressed by these ten items that have been reincarnated into something creatively useful and incredible.
1. TRASH TURNED INTO HOMES
Artist Gregory Kloehn combs garbage dumps to create mobile and habitable homes for the homeless.
Image from Designboom
Inside one of Kloehn's homes. Image from Designboom
2. TV SETS TURNED INTO FISH AQUARIUMS
If you are upgrading to a flat screen TV, be sure to not neglect your old television set, it still has more life in it. Here is a step-by-step guide to converting an old TV into an aquatic paradise for fish and sea creatures.
Image from MustLook
3. LEATHER BELTS TURNED INTO FLOORING
Design company TING creates luxury products with an eye towards sustainability as can be seen by this cool twist on flooring.
Image from TING
4. CARS TURNED INTO BEDS
At the V8 Hotel in Germany, car enthusiasts can bask in the motor themed hotel, sleeping in former cars and other funky details used from original auto parts.
Image from V8 Hotel
5. TRASH DUMPSTERS TURNED INTO SWIMMING POOLS
New York real estate developer Macro Sea is on a mission to create unexpected value in underutilized urban spaces. Their 2009 project transformed a junkyard in Brooklyn into a country club of sorts with the main attraction being the swimming pools made from dumpsters.
Image from Macro Sea
6. CLIMBING ROPES TURNED INTO LIGHTING FIXTURES
Produced in Berlin by design company Son of Nils, this funky lamp can bend and adjust to any situation thanks to the flexible and recycled climbing ropes that constitute its core.
Image from Son of Nils
7. BICYCLES TURNED INTO BATHROOM COUNTERS
Artist Benjamin Bullins took a discarded two wheeled wonder and transformed it into a functional piece of bathroom furniture. Bicycles and their parts can be made into a myriad of different things, take a look at this list and get inspired.
Image from Benjamin Bullins
8. SKATEBOARDS TURNED INTO SUNGLASSES
EQO creates gorgeous handmade eyewear from recycled skateboards, with each pair handcrafted and cool as can be.
Image from EQO
9. WINE BARRELS TURNED INTO DRUMS
No grapes in here! Former wine barrels get a musical makeover with this rocking drum set.
Image from Inhabitat
10. SUITCASES TURNED INTO CHAIRS
If those old suitcases aren’t going to be trekking around the world with you, keep them landed with a creative suitcase chair that you can DIY.
Image from Recreate
