The following three DIY projects (and many more!) can be found at Project Green Dorm. :)
Ladder ShelvesWhat You Need:
2 step ladders (painted with no VOC paint)
3 wooden boards cut to size
all of your important stuff
Instructions:
Get two step ladders of equal size and three recycled wooden boards. Paint the ladders and boards with no VOC paint. Let dry. Put the boards across the ladders and stabilize them. Now fill the shelves with anything you want. Depending on the strength of the boards, the shelving could be used for books, shoes, grocery items, and lots of decor accessories.
Jewelry HolderWhat You Need:
old picture frame (check out garage sales, antique shops, Goodwill, etc.)
1 yard of 1/2 inch chicken wire
stapler
mini wooden clothespins
Instructions:
Remove the picture and glass from the frame. Paint it with no VOC paint. Stretch the chicken wire across the back of the frame and staple it in place to the back. Use the mini clothespins to attach your jewelry to the chicken wire. (Note: You could modify this project by using a larger picture frame and more chicken wire to create an alternative bulletin board.)
DeskWhat You Need:
one large old shutter
a sheet of glass cut to be the same size as the shutter
2 saw horses
Instructions:
Top the old shutter with glass to give it a smooth top surface. (You may want the kind of glass with smoothed edges so that you don't cut yourself.) Situate that shutter on top of the two saw horses. This makes a functional, beautiful vintage-inspired desk. (Note: If rustic's not your thing, paint the saw horses and shutter with no VOC paint.)
What I really like about the three above DIY projects is that you can alter them to create other things. There's a lot of room for creativity here. With a little time, money, and effort you can have a fabulous DIY piece of furniture for your dorm or apartment.
Amore.
