Five budget savvy ways you can make use of DIY offcuts

Have leftovers from a renovation project? Here are five clever ways you can use the offcuts to create a whole new masterpiece at no extra cost.

There are plenty of ways to use leftovers from a DIY project.

While you’re enjoying last night’s leftovers, ask yourself if site cut-offs can be saved too – after all, you’ve paid for ’em.

Wasting money is infuriating, especially when funds are so stretched, yet it is very easy to do. How often have you ordered products, from wallpaper to wall tiles, and ended up with leftovers?

It pays to make the most out of every scrap when renovating.

To ease the pain of having paid for something you don’t need, we have some cunning ideas for you to try. All they require is a bit of imagination … and maybe a trip to Bunnings.

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Marble to go

If you are lucky enough to be using a slab of marble in a magnificent building project, you’ll be more than aware of the costs involved.

Russell Cox, of RMS Natural Stone, is a purveyor of the wonderful ancient stone and says some people forget to, or choose not to, collect leftover stone from their stonemason.

But you paid handsomely for it – so why not bring it home?

Don’t forget to collect the leftover stone.

Cox says the stonemason can be engaged to cut leftovers to size – but get a quote first.

A hall table, for instance, could be truly elevated by a marble top.

Splashbacks in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry look stunning in marble (and can be created from small pieces cut into tile shapes), and what fireplace doesn’t benefit from a splash of honed stone?

Make the most out of marble.

Wall mounted bedside tables are another option – a semicircular shape delivers elegance without the edge.

The type of stone itself is the big cost variable, both for the slab and extra cuts.

Paving the way

If leftover pavers aren’t sufficient for a big project, try making stepping stones.

Is there a walking track through your garden, or slimy, damp grass at the side of the house that could do with some dry places to step?

There are lots of uses for leftover pavers.

Embed them ‘dry’ (without any mortar) and simply surround them in mulch or decorative gravel.

Or go upwards and stack pavers to make plant stands or garden side tables – a perfect spot to put your coffee mug while gardening.

Stepping stones are an easy way to use leftover pavers.

Ditched decking

Leftover decking is a common ‘over order’.

One great idea is raised planter boxes. An easy construction job for the home handyperson and the finished look is very professional.

For a true spring treat (you can plant out now), how about a window box to fill with bulbs and annuals?

Create a table that matches your deck for no extra cost.

Decking planks also make a great outdoor tabletop – and it’ll match your deck.

Add some bling with brass screws or very flashy square nails for a touch of rustic charm. YouTube has great instructional videos – if you already have the timber, why on earth not?

Shelving is a simple solution for leftover timber.

Wallpaper Wrapping

There are always leftover bits (and sometimes whole rolls) after doing a wallpaper job.

The best part of these titbits is that they are already pretty.

Heather Zahar from Annandale Wallpapers suggests a few crafty ideas.

When it comes to wallpaper, there are always leftovers.

“It actually makes lovely wrapping paper, it is quite heavy and feels really luxurious,” she says.

Also on her list of hacks is using it to wrap school books, and even create unique greeting cards.

“I’ve also heard you can wrap it around a lampshade,” she says.

You could even get the kids involved with some projects.

Crack You Up

It is a DIY cliche but wall tiles do make a lovely serving board for cheese and other goodies, or, as Pam Johnson from Amber Tiles suggests, a whole tabletop.

“Once you break them up, you can mosaic just about anything. I’m going to mosaic tile my birdbath,” says Johnson with a laugh.

Tiles have so many creative uses.

She mentions seeing a floor done in a mix of tiles.

“They were all broken, beautiful tiles on the floor of a shop,” she says.

“It looked wonderful. And with the grout and different tile textures, they were non-slip too.”

Not keen on broken bits? With a scrap of felt lining on the bottom, tiles make great coasters for cocktail hour and your indoor pot plant display.

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