The benefits of using reclaimed wood in your wooden wall art

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important aspect of people’s lives as we are striving to reduce our environmental impact on the planet. One way to contribute to reducing our footprint is by incorporating recycled materials into the products we purchase and use every day. And yes, this can include even your home decor. Recycled wood is not only a lot more sustainable than newly sourced materials but also unique and can really make a statement in your home. Let’s have a look at the many benefits of incorporating recycled wood into your interior design concept.

What is reclaimed wood?

Reclaimed wood is wood that had a previous life. This could be an old piece of furniture that we take apart and repurpose or building materials from a house demolition, such as floorboards or roof beams. Reclaimed wood is also wood that did not get used for what it was meant for. For example, if a carpenter builds furniture or a builder builds a house they will end up with a lot of leftover materials that we can recycle and save from going to landfill. 

Where Can You Source Reclaimed Wood From?

There are many places where you can find used timber. Here are a few ideas:

• Hardware stores: A lot of hardware stores have a discount box with cutoff pieces that tradespeople leave behind once they have cut the timber they need. Those cutoffs are often very cheap and hence a win for everyone; you are getting cheap materials, the store is selling what they would otherwise have to dispose of, and the environment will be spared more waste in landfills.
• Carpentries/joineries: Call carpentries or joineries in your area to enquire about leftover timber. You will be surprised how happy some cabinet makers are about passing on some of the leftover bits of wood they have no use for.
• Construction sites: There is no harm in asking tradespeople on construction sites if they would pass on their leftover materials once done with their job. Ask when a good time would be to come and collect what they don’t use.
• Online Marketplaces: Many people do DIY projects these days and often overestimate the volume of materials they need. This is your luck as you might be able to negotiate a good price and take useful timber off someone else’s hands.  

What is so Great About Using Reclaimed Wood in Art and Decor?

Sustainability

This of course goes without saying. One of the main benefits of using recycled wood in your decor is its sustainability. Recycled wood is obtained from salvaged materials, meaning that you have just saved those materials from going to a landfill. Yay! By using recycled wood, you are reducing the amount of waste that goes into the environment and conserving natural resources. Recycling wood also helps reduce deforestation. Trees are an essential part of our ecosystem, and deforestation is a major contributor to climate change. By using recycled wood, you are helping to preserve forests and protect wildlife habitats. 

Uniqueness

Another benefit of using recycled wood in your decor is its uniqueness. Each piece of recycled wood has its own history and character, making it one of a kind. Recycled wood can add a rustic, vintage, or industrial look to your decor, depending on the type of wood and its previous use. Recycled wood can also be repurposed in many ways, creating unique and unexpected decor pieces. For example, old floorboards can be turned into a bedhead, or a shipping pallet can become a coffee table. The possibilities are endless, and recycled wood can add a personal touch to your decor.

Statement Piece

Recycled wood can also make a breathtaking statement piece in your home. A unique piece of recycled wood incorporated into a piece of wall art can be a great focal point in a room. It can add texture, colour, and depth to your decor, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Recycled wood can also be used to create custom furniture pieces. A dining table made from recycled wood can be a conversation starter and a centrepiece in your dining room. A recycled wood bench can add charm and character to your entryway. And a recycled timber accent wall can transform a room into a cosy retreat.

You Can Incorporate Sentimental Materials In Your Artwork

We offer our customers the option to provide their own materials that we then incorporate into a design for them. These could be wooden items that belonged to a loved one or maybe even parts of a home they once lived in. These are often items that don’t have a use anymore and are catching dust but have an emotional value and are too precious to lose. Incorporating them into a piece of art gives these treasures a new life and our customers the chance to keep their memories alive in the form of stunning and unique artwork they can cherish for years to come. 

Need Some Inspiration?

Head to our blog post A Wood Mosaic Made Of Memories and read about Krysle’s story, and how we transformed a few sentimental items she had inherited from her late father into an artwork. He was a carpenter and a lover of all things wood so this was the perfect way for Krystle to honour and preserve his memory.

You can also read the heartwarming project we did for Megan. She let us create a big custom design with wood she had saved from her granddad who she was extremely close to. You can find the story in our Instagram Post. 

In 2021 we created a custom design for famous photographer Jarrad Seng and since he is a Fremantle Icon we incorporated timber we had salvaged from an old Fremantle Jetty that had been taken down a few years prior. The pillars that had been sitting in the ocean for decades and shipworms had transformed them into Swiss cheese which made this beautiful old wood the perfect choice for a meaningful and unique centrepiece in Jarrad’s artwork. 

Sustainability Tips for Using Reclaimed Wood in Your Decor

When using recycled wood in your decor, it is important to keep sustainability in mind. Here are some tips to help you make environmentally conscious choices:

1. Choose locally sourced recycled wood. This reduces transportation emissions and supports local businesses.
2. Look for certified recycled wood. This ensures that the wood was obtained from responsibly managed forests.
3. Use non-toxic finishes, such as water-based stains and varnishes. This reduces the number of harmful chemicals released into the environment.
4. Consider the lifespan of the product. Choose quality pieces that will last a long time, reducing the need for replacements.

Our Conclusion

Using recycled wood in your decor is a sustainable, unique, and statement-making choice. Recycled wood not only reduces waste and conserves natural resources but also adds character and warmth to your home. By following sustainability tips and choosing quality pieces, you can create beautiful and eco-friendly home decor.