DIY projects can save you money, provide your apartment with one-of-a-kind decor, and give you the satisfaction of becoming maker instead of just a consumer. Crafting decor and furniture from sustainable materials further ups the ante. Here are some sustainable DIY ideas for your apartment decor.
DIY vertical garden
Space is the biggest constraint most apartment dwellers face when planning a garden. Thinking (and planting) vertically rather than horizontally can help you maximize the number of herbs and container-grown veggies in your apartment garden. A vertical pallet garden will take up very little space on your balcony. Stackable planters, cinder blocks, and mason jars can also be used to design a sustainable DIY vertical garden. Architecture and Design offers inspiration and links to tutorials for several apartment-friendly vertical garden projects.
Recycled magazine coffee table
This Vared Zaykovsky project is minimalist in every sense of the word. All you need to pull it off is a metal base, glass top, and several copies of the same magazine. No glue is required for this sustainable DIY project, which can be updated or disassembled at any time. If you prefer, try using vintage books in place of magazines.
Easy envelope pillow covers
Swapping out pillow covers is a great way to quickly change up the look and feel of a room. Follow these instructions from the Happy Housie Blog, and you can fashion stylish new pillow covers in less than a half hour. All you’ll need are retired window treatments or other scraps of fabric, scissors, a sewing machine, and an iron. This sustainable DIY project is so easy you may find yourself swapping out throw pillow covers each season.
Wine bottle tiki torches
Empty wine bottles are one of the most versatile DIY project materials around. This Design Sponge tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for assembling a tiki torch for your apartment balcony. Burn it to improve the ambiance and keep mosquitoes away. A single wick should burn for several hours, and you can replace a wick after it burns out to use the same torch time and time again.
A bit of time and elbow grease can go a long way when tackling sustainable DIY projects like these. Make something you feel good about that will impress guests and make your apartment feel more like home. If you enjoyed reading about these eco-friendly apartment upgrades, be sure to browse our green living and DIY posts for more ideas and inspiration.
Do you have a favorite sustainable DIY decor project? Share details in the comments!
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