How to use ReClaim and the ReStore in your home projects

Habitat Sustainability Director Amy Smith has been particularly lucky in finding items from the Habitat ReStore to use in her current home renovation projects. Taking advantage of ReStore products AND ReClaim services has helped her save money and time when renovating her home.

Amy and her family moved into their Holmen home in late 2022. It’s a great house for the family of five, but Amy had some updates in mind to really make it their own space. “Straight out of the 90’s,” she says. Brightly colored carpets and dated fixtures dominated the space.

Before moving in, they completely gutted the first floor and used Habitat’s ReClaim program to salvage as much usable material as possible. ReClaim Supervisor Adam Oldre took doors, casing, trim, cabinets, toilets, and countertops. Then, the fun began.

Amy created a more open space to allow for all the activity her family sees in a normal day. Most importantly, she created a large mudroom “to accommodate our 47 children and their 347 pairs of shoes.” Exaggeration or not, the ReStore came in super handy to solve the family’s space issues.

Spending just a little more than $200, Amy purchased enough cabinetry to create closet shelves, a built-in bench, and additional storage. Bonus, Amy scored a barn door at the ReStore that was salvaged from a barn deconstruction that our ReClaim program worked on.

Brand new, the wood, cabinetry, and trendy barn door would have easily cost a few thousand dollars.

A phenomenal employee and model Habitat ReStore shopper! Amy’s creativity and shopping luck showcase the possibilities of choosing reused materials at home.