The cost of remodeling a room can be overwhelming, and at times it can stop you right in your tracks with budget-breaking material expenses. Here are a few ideas in Coeur d'Alene on how to save money while reusing materials to combine fashion and function!

Think outside the and bottle-use cork

We all save our corks when we enjoy a nice bottle of wine. So why not put those corks to use? Use corks to create the backsplash of your kitchen counter, and then case it with a steel border. The metal works as a great magnet while the cork becomes an instant tack board - a fabulous holder for recipes and the infinite to-do list. Additionally, Coeur d'Alene residents have used personal collections of cork for flooring a wine cellar, mirror frames, and much more. This material is warm and tells a story of favorite vineyards and pleasurable memories.

One man's trash is another man's... barn

It takes patience and diligence, but if you have what it takes you will find a goldmine dumped away in a variety of places around North Idaho. Local residents have found enough treasures at local garage sales to outfit an entire new home and even a barn! These thrifty people found lighting, cabinets, flooring, tubs and doors-all in great shape! So, next time you are driving around the town, keep your eyes out for a garage sale because you never know what you might be able to find!

Want to become an expert digger? Here are the top three tips.

1. Keep your eyes peeled for ads in area papers. One homeowner was able to find a great deal on maple flooring thanks to an ad in the paper.
2. Spread the word. Know what you are looking for? Post an ad on craigslist and let your friends know.
3. Get Creative. Look beyond the typical use of the product and you can find a lot more. You never know, you may be able to take the wood siding off an old barn and transform it into beautiful flooring for your kitchen.

So roll up your sleeves and get digging-who knows what you may find out there that can help separate your home from the rest!