Recycled Laminate Floor Planks

We recently had our floors re-done in laminate flooring.. There were several left-over planks of various sizes... Here is what I've been doing with them.. They have been well received by family and friends. This is an easy and fun project, a great way to recycle and makes a wonderful gift for family and friends...
Follow my easy steps and you too can have these beautiful plaques for your home.

Step 1: Sand and Prime

Lightly sand and prime the laminate plank..let dry.

Step 2: Paint

Using any house paint or craft paint, paint in your choice of colors... let dry.

Step 3: Gather Materials

You can use a variety of materials to glue onto your plaque.. such as - anything from the internet that you can print, wrapping paper, napkins, pictures and postcards...etc.
I like to use wrapping paper or printed verses.

Step 4: From Printer

Verses and phrases from printer.

Step 5: From Wrapping Paper

Any favorite theme from wrapping paper.

Step 6: Mix Glue and Water

Mix 3 parts white glue to 1 part water.. brush onto the laminate and adhere your cut-out pictures..

Step 7: Brush Entire Plaque With Glue

Brush the entire top of the plaque with the glue.. Glue will go on white but will dry clear..
Make sure to get out any air bubbles caught under the paper... use an old credit card to smooth it out or you can use your fingers... let dry..

Step 8: Top Coat

Use shellac or polyurathane and apply a protective top coat to the plaque.. let dry completely..

Step 9: Attach Hanger

Attach a hanger in the back.... and you're done!!!

Step 10: Another Example

Here is one I made for my kitchen... it says " Good Food, Good Wine, Good Friends" in Italian... I used a cocktail napkin for the bottles and circles, and printed out the verse.

Step 11: Sweet Dreams

Here is one I made for the bedroom.... using only paints and letter stencils... Made in under one hour!!!

Step 12: Finished Product

I drilled some holes on this one and attached a gold cord for hanging.

Step 13: Love Poem

This was a very lengthy poem.. so I turned the laminate vertically.. I made it for my sister, so I added two tiny hooks and attached a sister plaque... I know she will love it!!

Step 14: Embelish

Embelish as you wish..

Comments

[millefeori]

Dear Mrs Nap These plagues are Beautiful.. I Love the sister Love Poem.. & you put much care ~love & time into your wood project,the vertical plague, Yes , it's unique & different. It would fit perfectly displayed by the entry hall as a token of welcome to all friends family guests & neighbors.. Awesome job, keep up the great Work.. God Bless Take care Mille :>

[mrsnap1]

Hi Millefeori, I can't thank you enough for all your wonderful comments.. I truly appreciate your kind words and compliments.. The sister plaque is a special gift for my sister -- she had a favorite poem that she loved and I decided to put it on the plaque for her with a little plaque hanging from the bottom.. I was going to give it to her as a surprise... but I think she spotted it on this website!! lol.. oh well... Thanks again for all your comments... Regards, Anna

[trish s]

Ok, mrsnap1, I have a question, I have done a few of these, every time I put the glue on the top to help seal it, the ink on my pictures run. Even if I wait 24 hrs to put the glue on, it still runs, looks awful. Whats the trick to that?

[enticement]

If you want a more antique look for your writing, I used to make antique labeling. Just print phrases out like you did, but take the paper and scrunch it up in a ball one way, then unfold it and scrunch it up the opposite way... Do this a few times and then unfold the paper you're working with and you can stack up to 10 or so in a 13 x 9 pan and pour strong, hot tea (coffee works, but I find tea has a richer color) over the paper and it will stain them. The scrunching texturizes the surface of the paper, and it gives it a more antique look. You could probably do it to all elements, actually, if you wanted to use this idea to make some vintage signs or something similar.

[GOLFMASTER57]

This is great.  im going to make door plaques for my grandkids.  Im disabled and trying to make a few extra bucks, this may be a way i can do it.  Im sure going to give it a try.  Well done   JIM

[mathmom54]

An incredible idea! Your talents never cease to amaze me, Cuz. Good luck!

[sueartnow]

MrsNap.....Love your idea! Your easy to follow "how to " directions are GREAT A+++++ !! I am pleased that your recycling laminated wood. That is so important now...I give you the GREEN AWARD TOO !!! Love your signs, and keep up the good work. I have a friend who sells her signs for over $100.00. Keep in mind the hours and detail you put into each project. It is always hard to put a price on something that was made from the heart! Good Luck at your shows. Sue

[millefeori]

Dear sueartnow.. you mentioned that your friend also hand designs signs.. how Fabulous, is she selling them on this site for $100.00 may I ask if she sold any of her wood signs? & from what parts of the globe does your friend reside ?...
Dear sueatnow, we live in a very confusing stressful lopsided economy & times are a changing, eh!!!, money is becoming sacred for some not willing to spend it, due to the higher cost of living, but i wish your friend much success in all that she creates ~is this is her only source or means of income...???
May I ask also how did you find this one particular website *winks* .. & is your Friend on here? .. i would love to see some of her wood signs.. :)
Have a pleasant & beautiful evening..
happy in thought & happy in Art & design...mille :)

[millefeori]

Dear MrsNap Hi again ..
I'm sorry I delayed on responding.. We've had some Bad Storms that Kicked out our Internet. I'm back today.. I see you left me a message..
Well, Hon, the price on the laminates all depends on the size of the wood piece,& all of the fine Detailing that you put into each piece..
Hmmm it's hard to say on what is the Best Price Ummmm but let's say around $40 to $50 Dollars for the largest pieces the most decorative & for the small pieces let's say $10 to $15 Dollars.. I've never sold anything in my life, you should get the best price offer for sure.

I Hope that this answered your question I Think it sounds like a a fair Price that most individuals are willing to pay..
After - all it's all hand designed. you're so talented.. thank you
MrsNap, please keep me posted if you're planning on selling your lament art pieces..
Have an Awesome Beautiful Arts & Crafty Sunshiny Day
mille :>

[millefeori]

Hello !! Also one more mention, Are you considering On Selling your Art Wood Floor planks online ..? & how much $$$ Thank You :)

[mrsnap1]

Hi millefeori, So far I've just been making them for family and friends.. I've been told to try selling them at a fair and see what happens... I have no idea how much I would charge... what would you be willing to pay?? Thanks again for your compliments.

[bilbar25]

Excellent ! Think I'm also going to try this. One question....the edges of the paper that your verses are printed on ....do you actually paint the edges in any chosen color?...or is that a result of the glue?....Just wondering. Thanks...Bill

[mrsnap1]

Hi bilbar25, Thank you for your comment... I do actually paint or stain the edges of the paper.. whatever dark color I have handy or even in gold...I even tried burning the edges..

[millefeori]

Hello ! I have a Question regarding the lamented floor planks.. would these wood planks~ Umm when all painted and designed, any chance that I could re-place them back onto the floor for decoration like in a nursery or a bathroom..?? can they be walked on.. ? thank you

[mrsnap1]

Hi millefeori, I'm not sure I would replace them in a bathroom...due to the water and moisture involved... but in an area that does not have much traffic... i can't see why not.. as long as you put a few coats of poly top coat on!! I'm guessing it would have to be installed along with the rest of the flooring... I would not want to pick up what had already been installed in order to replace it with the painted one.. Thanks for your comment and great idea!!

[millefeori]

Hello ThunderBeing, thank you for the heads up on the floor planks, when & If companies do discontinue home floor items where do we seek further without having to re- strip the entire flooring, it can get expensive.. but i still love the idea with the reamining floor planks and the art work that one can easily do without any Effort really, JUST LITTLE IMAGINATION & SOME GLUE... LOL...
once again MrsNap thank you so much for sharing your wonderful creative-ness .. looking forward to more creative ideas...
i myself am crafy with flowers & baskets...
i was given the "NickName* ((Basket Case) HAHA!!!& from there the flower Baskets creation was Born i adorn my kitchen shelves with my own hand made flower baskets.. I shop at crafts stores for their best silk flowers on sale or on special... the time to create these baskets is the same amount of time for a pot of water to come to a boil.... and the END results is really very beautiful professional & Yet priced around my budget...
Be well & Happy Crafting everyone..
Mille Feori :>

[millefeori]

this is such a fun Project for all ages, I was looking for easy home crafts simple & yet professional looking,.. Thank You So much MrsNap for sharing your wonderful Art Work ~ I live in a small community & there are plenty of children that would love to get busy with Art Work especially now that school is back in session.. If you don't mind MrsNap if I could pass this along to my neighbors one of my closest neighbor she has 3 very active kids who might love this easy to do at home project.. Thank you again, the materials you used are items I have sitting around my house ~ garage ~ basement~ I think it's a good time now to put them all to good use.. LOL Let me know when you have any other great project in the making... I think I'm in love Mille :>

[mrsnap1]

Hi millefeori, Thank you for your kind compliment.. I would love it if you pass this idea along to your neighbors and friends. Yes, most of the items you will find around the house.. paints, glue, cutouts from any magazine, wrapping paper, etc... Just remember not to use ALL of the leftover laminate... like thunderbeing pointed out... you may need it later for a repair... Thanks again for your comment and I wish you and yours all the best...

[thunderbeing]

Hi all... As a flooring installer, I need to remind you all that if you have leftover planks from a flooring installation in you home, it's best to keep those planks safe in case they are ever needed for repairing a damaged one on your floor. Colors and patterns are being introduced and discontinued on average about every 3 years, and if you need a piece 5 years along, and don't have one, you won't be able to buy more. It's best to go to a store and buy damaged boxes, discontinued colors, etc. at a huge discount.

[mrsnap1]

Hi thunderbeing, Thank you for your comment.. You're absolutely right about keeping some planks in case they are ever needed for a damage... When I said I had several left-over planks..... I meant several loose ones not counting the two boxes that were never touched!! lol.... anyway... that's how I got started with this idea-- by using the few left over scraps--- I left the ones in the box intact incase I ever need them, and have been using purchased damaged boxes and loose ones from the store.. Thank you for your input and good advise.. All the best, Mrsnap1