How to Use Recycled Materials For Centerpieces

Use recycled materials for your centerpieces.

Centerpieces can set the mood for dinner parties or casual meals. They are used as seasonal decor and style statements. However, they can get rather expensive. If you are looking for ways to use recycled materials found around the house you are in for a pleasant surprise. It is sometimes the most unusual choices that make the best decorating pieces for your home.

Things You'll Need

• Lamp base
• Plastic bowl
• Clay pots
• Toilet paper rolls
• Wallpaper border
• Beaded drapery fringe
• Gardening gloves
• Lace gloves
• Stiletto heels
• Black paint
• White paint
• Paint brush
• Old trinkets or costume jewelry
• Gardening tools
• Twigs and branches
• Rocks
• Floral foam
• Watering can
• Disinfectant wipes
• Dress hat
• Boa or feather plumes

Instructions

1. Remove the electrical components from your lamp base. If you have a lamp that no longer works and is just taking up space in your closet or attic, choose it instead of one that works. The next step may sound unusual and not the least bit aesthetically pleasing. However, it is the most practical solution. Cut a hole into a plastic cereal bowl that is the size of the lamp socket. Hot glue it into place. The reason for using a plastic bowl is that a heavier material may not adhere as easily and can break. Once you have the bowl in place you can insert floral foam and fill it with flowers that spill out over the sides, effectively hiding the bowl and forming a magnificent display best used for formal parties and gatherings.

2. 

   Turn discarded gardening items into sunny centerpieces.

   Retrieve your discarded or antique gardening tools and two smaller, old clay pots and a watering can from the shed. Clean them thoroughly. Set the pots on either side of the watering can in the center of your table. Fill each pot with gardening tools, gloves and seed packets for a sunny display for your breakfast table. Insert a small piece of floral foam into the bottom of the watering can in which to insert a fresh bouquet of flowers to brighten your centerpiece.

3. 

   Gather your old stiletto heels and your grandmother's heirloom dress hat from the closet. Sterilize them gently with a disinfectant wipe. Place the hat in the middle of a large round table and fill with trinkets or old lace gloves. Circle the hat with the shoes, toes facing outward for a fanciful centerpiece at your next tea party or ladies brunch. Another idea, if you are hosting a dinner for your women's group, is to ask each of the ladies to bring a favorite shoe or old hat for the display that will be used as a conversation starter at the gathering.

4. 

   You will be surprised at what you can do with toilet paper rolls at your wedding reception.

   Paint several clay pots black with white trim. Collect a large assortment of branches and twigs. Fill the pots with rocks and insert the branches. Cover several toilet paper rolls with decorative, self-adhesive wall paper border. Punch two holes in the tops of each roll that you will use to thread hanging wire through. Hot glue feather plumes to the top of the rolls and use beaded drapery fringe around the bottom. Hang the rolls on the branches for unique centerpieces you can use at your wedding reception.

References

• Hostess Blog: Fantastic Table Centerpieces Idea Gallery
• Do It Yourself Weddings: Cheap Glamorous Centerpiece