My cousin uses old magazines in creative ways throughout his house. Aren't they just for reading?

Old magazines are often considered to be ephemeral literature, meant to be browsed through, enjoyed for a moment, and then discarded or recycled. They fill our waiting rooms, lie stacked on coffee tables, and are often a snapshot of the cultural and social zeitgeist of their time. However, my cousin's home tells a different story.

Stepping into his living space is like walking through an art gallery where every installation was masterfully created with the colorful, informative pages of old magazines. It's a revelation, showing that magazines can serve a function that extends well beyond their initial reading purpose.

Magazines are a treasure trove for DIY enthusiasts and creative decorators. With a bit of imagination and crafting, they can transform ordinary spaces into cornucopias of color and conversation pieces.

1. Wall Art

Magazines are filled with stunning photography and unique graphics. My cousin cuts out visually appealing images and arranges them into personalized collages, which are then framed and hung as custom wall art. This approach not only recycles materials but adds a bespoke feature to his walls.

2. Furniture Accents

With the robust nature of some magazines, they can be stacked to create innovative furniture pieces. For example, my cousin has a side table in his living room, ingeniously constructed from a vertical stack of magazines, with a piece of circular glass placed on top. It serves as a focal point and a topic of discussion for any guest.

3. Decorative Bowls

By folding and weaving magazine pages, my cousin creates colorful decorative bowls, perfect for housing knick-knacks or serving as stand-alone art pieces. These unique bowls add a splash of color and an element of surprise to his interior decor.

4. Vase Enhancements

Old magazines can beautify even the plainest of vases. He wraps vases with artistically cut magazine strips, turning them into vibrant accent pieces. This can completely change the look and feel of a room, depending on the colors and patterns selected.

5. Picture Mats

Instead of traditional mats, he uses cutouts from magazines to frame his photos. This adds a personal touch and an exciting backdrop to his preserved memories. By choosing the right colors and patterns, he can either compliment the photograph or make a stark, eye-catching contrast.

6. Coasters and Place Mats

Magazine pages, when laminated, become durable and waterproof coasters or place mats. My cousin often tailors the design to match the event or season, making his table settings highly personalized and engaging for guests.

7. Gift Wrap and Cards

Any present wrapped in a personalized magazine page stands out. My cousin selects pages that resonate with the recipient's interests—be it fashion, sports, or gardening—giving an additional layer of thoughtfulness to the gift. Similarly, handmade greeting cards from magazine pages offer a charming touch that can't be found in store-bought cards.

Old magazines can breathe new life into various objects and spaces around the home. My cousin's approach shows that with a little creativity, the stories and images contained within these glossy pages can contribute to our lives in more ways than one. Rather than ask if magazines are just for reading, perhaps we should ask if we're reading them for all they're worth.