If you look into your cabinet or drawer, you might see your old leather belt filling up the space. This may be because you gained some inches from your waistline and these belts will no longer fit your waist, or better yet, they just aren’t your style anymore. However, this doesn’t mean you should just throw them out. Your old leather belts can become a great component of a decorative wood shelf or bookcase, and today’s DIY project is perfect for you.

All images via Design Sponge

[ad#co-1]

Leather material is proven to be durable, natural and less maintenance. DIY projects that help you find a new use for old items in your home is always fun, and this one from Design Sponge is no exception. Take a look at this do it yourself project that will be sure to become a favorite in your home.

 Materials Needed

• 4” x 18” x 1” Wood
• 2 pcs Leather Belts
• 10 pcs Nail or Screw
• Hammer
• Steel Tape Measure
• Screw Driver
• Pencil

Directions

1. Prepare all the materials needed.
2. Measure two inches from the edge of the wood and draw a line. Do this on both ends. This will serve as your guide where you will place the belt.
3. Close out the belts. Ensure that both leather belts have the same length.
4. Align the leather belts into the line. After ensuring the alignment, secure the belts by nailing it on the wood. Start at the bottom part of the shelf. You may use screws or bolts as an alternative for nails.
5. After securing the bottom shelf, measure at least ten inches from the bottom to the upper wood shelf. Do this on both ends of the belts. Be very careful in ensuring the level of the wood.
6. Then, nail the topmost part of the belt on your wall or in any area you want it to be placed.

You can now decorate your recycled leather and wood shelf project with books, flower vases, figurines or anything that would serve you best. You can have this as your wall decor in the living room or kitchen where you can place condiments and other kitchen utensils as well!

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

Want to get paid for your DIY ideas? Stagetecture is hiring DIY writers – Click here for information.

Throughout your home there are architectural details that make the difference between an average home, and a finely detailed one.  Architectural details like crown molding, wainscoting, and corbels add a finished touch that makes your house a home.

Today my guest blogger is from Asigma Designs, and they specialize in corbels and architectural decor hardware. See how your home could benefit from beautiful corbels.

Nothing greets autumn better than a cozy outdoor patio, a blaring fire pit, and a spot to grill out.

Planning on having company over? Perhaps a few BBQ’s? It’s time to spruce up the pad and show your family and friends that you have a little knack for interior design (Even if you don’t, don’t worry. We have your back.). Better yet, you can update your space while being extremely budget-savvy (Bear with us. We’ll steer you in the right direction.).

Redesigning your outdoor space can be incredibly expensive. Luckily, we have a few tips up our sleeve.

What’s all the racket about brackets? Brackets, also known as corbels, are an easy, inexpensive way to add flair to any space, especially outdoors. Stainless steel corbels and aluminum corbels are perfect additions for outdoor spaces, adding a modern, contemporary feel. Another bonus? They have excellent corrosion resistance. Harsh weather? No problem.

Bracket, smacket. How could I possibly use a bracket outside? Installing an outside patio bar and grill? Looking to amplify your pool space and kick it up a notch in terms of style? Add a mini bar? Our industrial strength brackets are perfect for outside and supporting heavy-duty countertops such as marble, stone or granite. Stainless steel and aluminum corbels are also great additions to island bars.

For all your corbel needs visit Asigma Designs and bring a higher caliber of decorative hardware to your home.

For more home decorative ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I am always in awe of kitchen’s that can pull off beautiful organization and display on open shelving. For one, you can not just throw everything on the shelf and leave it, as it is now display too.  Then, you can’t just have the Scooby Doo collection of glasses with the 10 different color bowls sitting in the same area – it will look haphazard!

Here are open shelving tips from houzz.com, that will help you pick the right dishes to display. It may help you figure out if open shelving is for your home.

Tip 1:

Your biggest enemy is dust. If you don’t use the items often, you will have to keep them free of dust. Also, you should take them all down a few times a month and give the shelves a quick dusting.

Tip 2:

Arrange items with similar shapes or colors to keep it looking like a total mishmash of clutter. For example, you might want to show off your collection of sugar bowls and creamers, or stick to all-white items on the shelves.

Tip3:

Treat each bowl, glass, or plate like a piece of sculpture when you are arranging. Take a step back and check out the composition n as you go along. Leave ample space between items.

Tip 4:

Getting tired of the look of your kitchen? Switch the shelf arrangement around! If you have a neat row of clear wine glasses on the open shelves, you can switch them out with a colorful set of mixing bowls from the cabinets below to get a totally new look.

Tip 5:

There are no rules. Don’t be afraid to try different arrangements and mixing and matching different objects together. Check out the images below to steal ideas!

For more open shelving ideas, visit the organization area of Stagetecture.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Are you a book fanatic and have them displayed all over the house?  For some, displaying large amount of books can be daunting, especially if you don’t have an ample way to display and organize them. Here are some creative ways to organize your books using bookshelves and a little imagination.

For tall spaces that have a lot of storage room, consider using a beautiful color curtain to close off the shelf when wanted.

Have a large and colorful collection of books?  Look at this idea of color coded display for you shelves!

[ad#co-1]

I love when bookshelves are put in unconventional areas, and work!! Beneath stairwells is always a chance for some magical storage – why not a bookshelf?

Use the full height of an everyday wall, and make it pop with visual interest by adding bookshelves.

Wherever you can safely put books and display them beautifully.. the better!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Open shelving is beautiful.  You see it in the latest stores and in the best organization magazines.  The thought always occurs to me, “Yeah.. it looks great there, but how do you keep it looking organized at your home!?”  Apartment Therapy has a feature on keeping your open shelves looking organized and neat.

Here are a few tips to keep your shelves in tip-top shape:

• If you’re not sure how much space you’ll need, consider adjustable shelving so you can rearrange as you go.

• Start organizing by whoever uses the space the most. Kitchen shelves should be organized by the household chef, records rearranged by your in-house DJ.

• Put like with like — Group your glasses. Spices stick together. Art books go with art books. Arrange by color. You get the idea.

• Make sure labels are facing front so you grab the peanut butter and not the arsenic.

• When buying things like Olive Oil, consider the fact that it will be on display. You may want to choose the packaging that’s more design friendly (without scarfing quality).

• Invest in good containers. Cereal doesn’t have to stay in the box. Put protein powder in a jar instead of those bulky canisters. Band-Aids and Q-Tips can go in new boxes.

• Keep an open space. This can be used for guests with specific cracker needs, or maybe a place for overnighters to rest their weary toothbrush.

• Larger, heavier items — like a blender or stand mixer — work best on lower, easy-to-reach shelves.

For more great tips visit Apartment Therapy.