8 Ways to Use Reclaimed Materials in Your Home

Whether you're a homeowner or a rental property investor, you want your home to be beautiful, comfortable, and inviting. But what if you also want it to have a little character?

Reclaimed building materials come with unique characteristics and bring their own histories, and they can go a long way toward making your home feel more interesting. And for the environmentally conscious, it's a beautiful way to recycle, too. Here are eight ways to incorporate reclaimed building materials into your next home build or remodel.

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A heavy, intricately carved wooden front door can make for a truly grand entrance to your home. Tastes skew more modern? No problem. You might be able to find doors with a more industrial feel, made of materials like glass or steel. You may even find a set of ornate garage doors to really set off your home's curb appeal.

And don't forget about your back door and interior doors. If you can find a set of matching interior doors -- fantastic. But depending on your style, you could create an interesting eclectic feel by using assorted wooden doors and unifying them with a matching stain.

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The reclaimed doors of your dreams may not be cheap, but don't despair. If the look you're after is out of your budget, you may want to consider door hardware instead. Reclaimed doorknobs, knockers, or kick plates could bring plenty of personality to a ho-hum front door.

And don't forget about your interior doors and cabinets. From sparkling glass doorknobs to patinaed bronze, a little something old can give your doors an entirely different feel.

And here again, everything doesn't have to match. A unifying theme, like all being made of the same material or even from the same era, can work just fine.

Who hasn't admired an elegant stained glass or leaded window in an old home? The way the light streams in through it can be spectacular. And if you've ever wished you had one of your own, reclaim can be a wonderful way to make it happen.

If you're about to build, you could talk to your builder about the idea to see whether they have any advice as you purchase your window. In an existing home, it may be easier to install hooks at the top of a small stained glass window and hang it in front of a current window. You can achieve a similar look and easily take your window with you if you move away.

Interior and exterior columns can serve both a functional and decorative purpose in a home. They might be marble or wood, thin or substantial, or simple or highly decorated with carvings or stain.

If your home has an unimaginative column that feels purely functional, imagine replacing it with one that plays better with your decor. And if you have thin columns outside framing your entrance, replacing them with much more substantial columns can bring a grander feel to your home.

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While many say the kitchen is the heart of a home, those who decorate their fireplace mantle for every season and arrange their living room around it may disagree. That's why a beautiful reclaimed mantle can transform the feel of your entire living area.

And using the right reclaimed tile around your fireplace is a great way to complement your decor with your ideal tones and textures. Have some leftover tile? Consider smashing it up and creating a mosaic backsplash in your kitchen.

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Lighting does a great deal to set the ambiance of a home, with not only its tone and brightness but also the fixtures that provide it. From brass pendants to crystal chandeliers and stained glass sconces, lighting designed to look old is quite popular.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. But how much more interesting would it be to have the real thing and respond accordingly when a guest compliments your remarkable lighting fixtures? You could buy and install a single stunning reclaimed statement piece in a prominent area or give every light in your home a story of its own.

Most homeowners spend a lot of time thinking about cabinets and countertops, and rightfully so. But the right faucet can really help set the tone for your kitchen's decor. And a faucet that can't be found at any big-box home improvement store can draw attention and set any kind of mood, from eclectic and quirky to elegant and refined.

The same can be said of your bathroom faucets and fixtures. From the sinks and shower to the tub, towel bars, hooks, and even switch plates all offer a unique opportunity to put your creativity into the details.

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Reclaimed wood flooring is different from most of the items on our list in that you're unlikely to purchase it in the same state it was in when removed from a home. In fact, it may not even be from a home.

The wood could have been reclaimed from almost any type of wood structure, from a farmhouse or old barn to a factory. The wood is then processed and made into beautiful wood flooring by companies that specialize in doing so.

What it does have in common with the other items here is that the finished product has a history, as well as a unique color, texture, and even markings that tell its story.

If the fresh-off-the-assembly-line look isn't for you, reclaimed materials offer a fun way to shop off the beaten path while adding charm to your home. You can find them online or at local salvage yards and shops, which are increasing in popularity.

A tour through one is sure to spark more ideas. If you're not sure about the whole concept, try one item from this list, see what you think, and go from there. The result is sure to be anything but cookie-cutter.

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