Rustic Furniture

Rustic bed made from reclaimed wood by Mountain Woods Furniture

Rustic cabinet by Cactus Creek

Dresser made from free barnwood by Log Furniture Place.com

Rustic log bed by Blue Ridge Log Works

Juniper wood bed by Woodland Creek Furniture

Reclaimed wood entertainment center by Woodland Creek Furniture

Now that you’ve saved tens of thousands of dollars (or more) by building your sustainable home using low cost natural and recycled materials, it’s time to furnish your home. The photos above are examples of free and low cost rustic furniture you could make with salvaged wood. Other items around the house such as trim, shelving, wainscoting, etc. can be made in a similar way.

Image source: Mountain Woods Furniture
Image source: Cactus Creek
Image source: Log Furniture Place.com
Image source: Blue Ridge Log Works
Image source: Woodland Creek Furniture

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Dan Phillips: Creative Houses from Reclaimed Stuff

In this funny and insightful talk from TEDxHouston, builder Dan Phillips tours us through a dozen homes he’s built in Texas using recycled and reclaimed materials in wildly creative ways. Brilliant, low-tech design details will refresh your own creative drive.

Phoenix Commotion.com

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Easiest to Find Recycled Building Materials

Tiny Texas Houses builds homes with 99% recycled materials

You can blow through a lot of money in a hurry at building supply centers. For many, buying all new materials isn’t practical. Instead of buying new, you could help demolish a building, trade work, etc. Let’s start a list of the easiest to find recycled building materials. Suggestions are welcome.

Lumber, doors, door hardware, sinks, bathtubs, tile, paint, wood stain, pallets, wire, assorted nails and screws, twine, scrap wood, scrap metal, buckets, cabinet hardware (knobs, pulls, drawer slides), glass bottles (bottle windows), plastic sheeting, tarps, poly or nylon straps (tie-downs), bricks

Tips:
– Look for higher quality faucets and windows (you might lose money on low quality windows due to heat loss)
– Avoid: particle board/pressed wood cabinets, sheeting and trim, plastic trim, vinyl wallpaper, treated/preserved wood, old carpet, foam padding, moldy materials
– Bigger cities/nicer neighborhoods have the best selection
– Network with building professionals to buy used materials direct
– Get to know people who own or work for demolition companies, scrap yards, construction companies, etc.

Image source: Tiny Texas Houses.com
(click to see some very interesting photos in their gallery)

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