TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
That “use it or lose it” shelf is genius. I’ve got a bin in my studio that’s basically the same idea, though I’ll admit sometimes I cheat and sneak things back onto the main shelves if I get sentimental about a certain tile or fabric scrap. It’s a slippery slope... Next thing you know, you’re tripping over boxes of “future inspiration” that never actually see the light of day.
Mixing leftover stains for a feature wall—love that. Reminds me of a kitchen reno I did last year. The client wanted open shelving, but the budget was tight, so we cobbled together shelves from three different batches of reclaimed wood. At first, I worried it would look too patchwork, but honestly, it ended up being the most talked-about part of the project. Sometimes those little risks pay off in ways you don’t expect.
I do agree there’s a fine line between being resourceful and just hoarding. There’s something weirdly satisfying about letting go of stuff that’s just taking up space, even if it’s tricky at first. Every time I do a purge, I find things I completely forgot about—usually stuff that’s way past its prime or just not my style anymore.
One thing I’ve noticed is clients actually appreciate when you can tell them, “Hey, we saved a bit here by using what we had on hand.” It gives them a story to tell and makes the space feel more personal. Not every experiment works, but when it does, it’s memorable.
Anyway, I’m all for finding creative ways to cut costs without cutting corners. There’s always another project around the corner, and a little resourcefulness goes a long way.
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
- Love the “use it or lose it” shelf idea—makes it way easier to keep track of what’s actually useful versus what’s just collecting dust.
- Mixing stains and reclaimed wood? That’s peak resourcefulness. Sometimes the “imperfect” stuff ends up being the most interesting part of a project.
- I do think there’s a difference between saving for future use and just... never letting go. I’ve been guilty of keeping scraps “just in case,” but honestly, half the time they end up warped or faded anyway.
- Clients definitely appreciate the story behind reused materials. Plus, it’s a win for the environment—less waste, less new stuff getting made.
- Cutting costs doesn’t have to mean cutting quality. Sometimes it just means getting a little creative (and maybe letting go of that box of mystery hardware from 2009).
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
That “use it or lose it” shelf is honestly a lifesaver for keeping the clutter under control. I’ve seen way too many workshops where you can barely walk because of all the “future project” piles. At some point, you’ve got to admit that a warped 6-inch offcut isn’t going to become anything but firewood.
Mixing stains and reclaimed wood is a bit of an art, though. I get the appeal—there’s character in those imperfections—but sometimes I wonder if we’re just making more work for ourselves trying to force mismatched pieces together. Still, I can’t argue with the environmental upside. Less waste, less demand for new materials... that’s a win in my book.
I’m with you on the difference between saving and hoarding. There’s a fine line. I used to keep every screw, hinge, and random bracket “just in case,” but when you finally open that box ten years later and half of it’s rusted or missing its mate, it’s not exactly a treasure trove. Sometimes letting go is the best way to actually see what you have.
Clients do seem to appreciate the story behind reused materials, but I’ve also had a few who just want everything to look brand new—no matter how much you talk up the sustainability angle. Guess it depends on the crowd.
Cutting costs without cutting quality is definitely possible, but it takes some discipline (and maybe a willingness to part with that drawer full of mystery fasteners). Creativity helps, but so does being realistic about what’s actually useful versus what’s just taking up space.
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
- 100% agree on the “use it or lose it” shelf. I’ve seen more than a few studios where you can barely find the door, let alone a specific piece of hardware. If I can’t see it, I won’t use it—simple as that.
- Mixing stains and reclaimed wood is a gamble. Sometimes you get a piece that just sings, other times it’s a Frankenstein situation. I’ve found that if you’re not careful, you end up spending more time (and money) trying to “fix” the look than if you’d just started with new material. But when it works, it’s worth it.
- The line between saving and hoarding is real. I used to have bins of “maybe useful” bits—old pulls, random tile samples, leftover trim. Eventually realized I was spending more time digging through junk than actually designing. Now I do a purge every six months. If I haven’t used it by then, it’s out.
- Clients are all over the place. Some love the story behind a salvaged beam or vintage hardware, others want everything crisp and untouched. I’ve learned to ask up front—no point pitching reclaimed if they’re not into it.
- Cutting costs is all about planning. I do a detailed inventory before every project, so I know exactly what’s on hand and what needs buying. It’s not glamorous, but it saves a ton of money and headaches.
- One thing I’d add: don’t cheap out on the stuff that matters. Fasteners, adhesives, finishes—if you go low quality there, you’ll pay for it later in callbacks or repairs. I’ll reuse a drawer pull, but I won’t risk a project on bargain glue.
- Sometimes you just have to accept that not every leftover is a hidden gem. I’ve tried to “make it work” with oddball scraps more times than I care to admit... usually ends up as kindling or landfill anyway.
At the end of the day, being realistic about what’s actually useful is the best way to keep costs down and quality up. And yeah, sometimes that means letting go of that box of mystery fasteners you’ve been hauling around since 2012.
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
That “use it or lose it” shelf is a game changer. I used to keep every odd bracket and leftover tile, thinking I’d find the perfect project for them. Truth is, I spent more time hunting for stuff than actually working. Now, I do a quarterly sweep—if I can’t remember why I kept it, it’s gone. The only exception? Specialty fasteners. Those have saved me more than once when a supplier was delayed... but yeah, most random bits just gather dust.
