Remodeling Ideas — From College Students

Photo courtesy NY Times

Now here’s an interesting concept I came across in this New York Times article: If you’re thinking about forgoing your home improvement projects due to the economic downturn, consider thinking less like a homeowner and more like a college student.

No, I’m not talking about decorating your house with empty pizza boxes. But how about taking some of the fundamentals of the fine art of dorm decorating and repurposing them in your own home? With a bit of creativity (and some elbow grease), you can spend a lot less on your project and end up with a room that doesn’t look cookie-cutter. Be fearless, as the article says:

First and foremost is fearlessness. You’d be embarrassed if your friends knew you’d gotten a piece of furniture off the street. College kids call up their friends to get their help carrying furniture home from the street, and brag about it. Many are genuinely concerned about recycling and the environment, and delighted when they can turn construction cast-offs into the trappings of home.

Sure, some of the projects featured in the article are a bit avant-garde (such as the chandelier made of plastic garbage bags), but some of them are pretty ingenious. Styrofoam trays transformed into wall art. Kitchen counters made of wood and galvanized pipes. Recycled lightbulbs as candleholders. A castoff nighstand goes glam with a coat of paint and shellac. Okay, maybe the bed frame made of honeycomb cardboard is best left to the students.

The main messages here aren’t actually that new — many lists of budget remodeling tips focus on salvaging and do-it-yourself. But it’s a good reminder to think outside the box and be open to new ideas (Dueling Digs is a great place to look for home remodeling inspiration). Think creatively. And sometimes, it pays off to think like a student.