How to Decorate With Dried Bamboo

Bamboo has unlimited uses in the home and is an eco-friendly choice for decorating.

Because it is a renewable resource and is so versatile, bamboo is now available in many different applications for the home. It's the hot new trend in decorating since it lends a tropical flavor to the room. You can use it for everything from candle holders to room dividers to flooring. The following technique can be used for repurposing old furniture with bamboo, but the application can also be used for making candle holders, flower pots, vases or other objects.

Things You'll Need

• A piece of old furniture
• Bamboo sticks in various widths
• Hand saw
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Carpenter's glue

Instructions

Give an Old Piece of Furniture a Facelift

1. 

   An old chest can be updated with bamboo sticks.

   Find an old dresser, toy box or desk that needs to be updated. Clean and dust the piece. Paint, if necessary.

2. 

   Bamboo sticks come in many widths and lengths.

   Purchase bamboo sticks from the local crafts store in the length and width you will need for your project. Sticks are available in all sizes, so measure first. You can cut them yourself if you are working with an odd-sized piece.

3. 

   Create a frame for your work by applying bamboo to the inset or around the edges of a drawer.

   Decide on your pattern. For a dresser or chest of drawers, you can add a frame to each drawer like a picture frame. Or, come up with your own unique design. Try out different looks by holding up the bamboo to your piece of furniture.

4. 

   Experiment with different patterns.

   When you have your pattern figured out, mark on the drawer or dresser with a pencil where you will place the bamboo.

5. 

   Use carpenter's glue to adhere the bamboo to your surface.

   Run a bead of carpenter's glue on the back side of the bamboo stick, and attach it to the piece of furniture, holding it firmly in place for a few minutes.

6. Repeat with the remaining pieces in your design. Let the piece sit overnight while glue dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Bamboo can be applied from the ceiling to the floor and everything in between. Experiment with different applications for a totally unique piece.

• Since bamboo adds a feeling of the tropics to your room and is so versatile, it's easy to get carried away. It should be used as a design element, not take over the entire room.

References

• Bamboo in Interior Decorating
• Bamboo Flooring
• Decorating with Bamboo & Rattan