Last Updated on May 18, 2024 by SierraLivingConcepts

Tips for Decorating with Reclaimed Wood

Decorating with reclaimed wood furniture is a trend that has been going strong for several years. Concerned about our dwindling forests, people have been reducing waste by reclaiming wood from a variety of sources. Reclaimed wood comes from old buildings, factory floors, shipping pallets, and even old wooden ships. Furniture can be made from reclaimed wood in a number of creative ways. And you can be sure that each piece created with reclaimed wood is unique and cannot be imitated.

Reclaimed Wood Furniture With Old Paint

A fun and colorful way to use old wood to make furniture is to leave the wood in its found condition, using any old paint color that’s left on it. Designs can be fairly simple, with color in some areas only.

Or, boards of different colors are used randomly for an all-over colorful design.

A retro-modern look uses old painted boards that have been sanded down to retain just a few traces of paint.

Reclaimed wood furniture with an artsy, painted look can be a focal point in almost any decorating scheme.  Don’t be afraid to mix some pieces in with your traditional furniture.  Add some character to a family room, or bring a splash of color to a beach house.

Painted wood’s rustic finish is friendly and can handle heavy wear and tear, so it’s perfect for casual spaces.

Reclaimed Wood Industrial Furniture

Industrial-style furniture recalls pieces that may have been discovered in an old factory and repurposed in the home. They might combine reclaimed wood with iron and steel frames or wheels for a factory look.

Some more creative industrial-style furnishings incorporate old signs, or they’re repainted with letters and numbers for that “found” look.

Even if your home isn’t decorated in an Industrial style, these pieces are like works of art – they can fit in almost anywhere. If it looks like it was found in an abandoned factory, or bought at an urban flea market, reclaimed wood furniture makes a great focal point for your casual space. This is furniture that can really take a beating, so if you have an active family, or move homes frequently, reclaimed Industrial pieces will be with you for years.

Shabby Chic Reclaimed Furniture

The Shabby Chic look is all about old, chippy furniture, soft whites, and naturally weathered wood. Reclaimed wood is the perfect material for building shabby painted furniture. It has a dry finish and patina of age that takes vintage paint styles beautifully. Cottage-style pieces made of reclaimed wood dining table fit right into a Shabby Chic home.

Shabby Chic interiors incorporate found items with old paint too. Pale colors like blue, green, and khaki are popular. Stacks of old trunks and boxes make shabby end tables or hold treasures like quilts.

Add a shabby look to your living room with a large reclaimed piece. A buffet style provides storage, makes a perfect reclaimed wood console table, and can be used as a focal point.

Shabby Chic style is all about a collected look that’s light and airy. Reclaimed wood furniture mixes in beautifully.

Coastal Cottage with Reclaimed Wood

The coastal interior design looks best with lots of weathered wood, light colors, and splashes of ocean blue and green paint. Old shutters remind us of a tropical getaway. If the reclaimed wood has paint clinging to it, even better – it may have been recycled from an old wooden boat.

If your coastal getaway is a funky cottage, try some handmade reclaimed wood dining tables that look like they might have been locally made.

Look for mixed-up colors, old-painted planks, and shutter details to add to the artsy look.

Reclaimed Wood Furniture for Resort Properties

For a Resort Interior Design, you’ll want to impress your guests with a calming, sea-inspired interior. Look for soft whites and aqua, and lighter-toned reclaimed woods. Start with a large storage piece that has shutters as a focal point.

Lighter colors of weathered wood add a timeworn feeling, and they’ll hold up to wear and tear. Try an unusual barrel shape for a cocktail table.

In a resort home, people are more likely to put their feet on things, so a refined design using reclaimed wood is perfect. You’ll need a large dining table and chairs too.

Dress up the Master Bedroom with a beautiful reclaimed wood dresser with multiple colors.

Reclaimed wood furniture is eco-friendly – it’s made entirely of recycled materials. These pieces have characters and a story to them.  Furniture that has history, and is handmade, is so much more interesting to live with.  If you invest in a piece of reclaimed furniture, you won’t tire of it. You’ll find it follows you and finds a home wherever you are.