How To Make Awesome Furniture on a Budget

Image via Complex Original

Rough cost: $25 - $35

Items needed: Lamp (preferably with no decorative column), 25-30 sticks or driftwood, each should be similar in length

Probably one of the simplest ways to repurpose a lamp, this lighting fixture can be made with a simple lamp covered in driftwood or medium sized sticks of your choice. For an added personal touch, you can paint the lamp to your liking.

Rough cost: $30 - $50

Items needed: An old ladder, 6 L brackets, 24 screws, stud finder, screwdriver, drill

Old wooden ladders have become obsolete and can be found throughout junkyards and garages. By simply attaching one of these ladders to the wall, you can create a cool rustic-looking bookshelf. You can also add numerous ladders to give your wall a true floor-to-ceiling bookshelf.

Rough cost: $40 - $60

Items needed: Tree stump, chisel, hammer, paint brush, sandpaper, power sander, tarp, rugs, wood stain

Creating a tree stump side table is one of the greatest ways to actually bring nature into your home. Many people like finished wood, but this “straight out of the forest” look is also pretty cool.

Rough cost: $80 - $100

Items needed: 3 planks of wood, 1” galvanized pipe, floor flanges, pipe caps, wood stain of your choice, sponge brush, spray paint (for brackets)

With couple beat up pieces of wood you can create a set of simple reclaimed wood shelves. For a more intense DIY experience, you can get new pieces of wood and beat them with rocks to let out some stress while improving your space.

Rough cost: $50 or less

Items needed: 6-10 wooden pallets, paint (optional)

We've all seen those huge wooden pallets lying in the street taking up space, and this is definitely one of the coolest ways to repurpose them. If you take a trip through your local warehouse district, you can probably find a bunch just waiting to be thrown away.

Rough cost: $20 or less

Items needed: Egg cartons, binding agent of your choice

These egg carton stools are super creative and don't require anything but the actual carton and string.

Rough cost: $20 or less

Items needed: Tube, two hooks, metal cable

With only a tube, chain, and hooks, this hanging clothes rack is the minimal yet industrial clothing storage option we've been looking for.

Rough cost: $5 or less

Items needed: Concrete mix, 48” wooden dowels, 5 gallon container, copper pipe caps (optional)

Boasting a $5 price point with a $50 look, these concrete bucket stools won't disappoint. They're made with only about 3 items and take only about an hour to make.

Rough cost: $25 or less

Items needed: Pegboard, s hooks, paint (optional)

Having all your pots and cooking items on one wall is something you may dream about. This kitchen pegboard makes it possible with minimal work.

Rough cost: $25 or less

Items needed: 4-8 cinder blocks, 3-4 planks of wood

An easy, cool way to add different elements and textures into your space is by creating your own cinder block shelving unit. You can make the unit as wide, tall, short, or narrow as you'd like.

Rough cost: $40 or less

Items needed: Ladder, chain, S-hooks

Another kitchen space saver that'll make your life a bit easier is this repurposed ladder pot rack. It will help you open up unused space in your kitchen.

Rough cost: $30 or less

Items needed: 1” dowels, dowel screws, wood planks for shelves (optional), paint (optional)

A wall of pegs may remind you of the kindergarten coat room, but when paired with wooden shelves and paint, you'll get loads of compliments and maybe even outshine your neighbor's new reclaimed wood table.

Rough cost: $30 or less

Items needed: Light socket covers, light sockets, plugs, cord grips, bulbs, power strip, colored or patterned cord (optional)

When you want a chandelier but you don't want your place to look like your grandmother's house, this is the way to go. Very customizable, this gathering of lights adds character to any space.

Rough cost: $100 or less

Items needed: Pine timber lengths, handsaw, tape measure, pencil, screws, different types of rope, glue

If you really want to channel your personal style in a headboard, this is definitely the way. With lengths of colorful or monochromatic rope, this headboard will truly reflect its owner.

Rough cost: $40 or less

Items needed: Hardcover books (8-10), lamp, razor blade or box cutter, 1-1/4” screws, 2” screws, screwdriver, spray paint (optional)

Those books you had to read in college but will never read again get a new life with this lamp. Display them in a functional way instead of just letting them attract dust.