# Frankenstein Furnishings Chris Ruhe Upcycles Scrap Wood into Useful Furniture By Michael Hines | Published 2010-09-09 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chris-ruhe References: [dornob](http://dornob.com/vintage-vertigo-wood-furniture-from-scrap-doors-more/) & [chrisruhe.nl](http://www.chrisruhe.nl/) Chris Ruhe has found a new use for the [discarded doors and ladders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no1-common) of the world. He upcycles them into shelving, cabinets and other pieces of furniture. Chris Ruhe doesn't sand down or polish up the wood though; he simply leaves it as is, creating furniture with character and a look all its own. If you value function over form, then you'll love these [cabinets made of doors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/j395-chair-series) and shelves made of ladders. Beauty is only skin deep after all. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 55% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/furniture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Upcycling:** The trend of creating new products with old and discarded materials creates an opportunity for companies to innovate in sustainable manufacturing. - **Rustic Design:** The popularity of rustic and natural design presents an opportunity for furniture companies to create unique and eco-friendly products for the modern consumer. - **Functional Aesthetics:** The trend towards furniture pieces that mix form with function creates opportunities for companies to design innovative and versatile pieces that fit modern lifestyles. ### Where This Applies - **Furniture:** The furniture industry has the opportunity to incorporate upcycling methods and rustic design into their manufacturing processes to appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers. - **Sustainability:** The sustainability industry has an opportunity to promote the benefits of upcycling and eco-friendly furniture design to consumers. - **Interior Design:** The interior design industry can promote the trend of functional aesthetics and the use of eco-friendly furniture to clients who value unique and sustainable home decor. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Felled Tree Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ptacek-home-chunk-line.md) - [Sustainable Creative Craft Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fyrn-studio-series.md) - [Sustainable Side Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/re-up-side-tables.md) - [Upcycled Veneer Furniture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-george-collection.md) - [Upcycled Plastic Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crafting-plastic.md) - [Abandoned Bikes-Turned Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/objects-from-frames.md) - [Waste-Based Furniture Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-furniture1.md) - [Recycled Shoe-Made Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remix-maison.md) - [Salvaged Timber Furniture Capsule](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/formwork-collection.md)