When it comes to re-purposing old stuff, there endless ideas to reinvent an item and give it a new purpose. Call it up-cycling or recycling, it’s all the same – we’re taking something old and giving it a new purpose in our life.
In compiling some of my favorite re-purposed items (like I had done in my past article “25 Creative Ways To Turn Old Junk Into New Junk“), it was difficult to stop because there are so many creative ways in which something can be transformed. So my focus in this article is to take really old stuff (yes, even stuff that’s junk) and turn it into a new treasure. Even then, it was hard to stop at just twenty-five, oh my!
1. Old Books
Old books can become really cool vintage bookmarks
(via justimagine-ddoc.com)
Old books can be turned as a storage box for old love letters, jewelry, you name it.
(via justimagine-ddoc.com)
Old books can be made into a bird feeder (and turn your outdoor birds into book worms!)
(via craftionary.net)
Old books can be used as wall shelves that display your cool nic-knacks ( or more old books).
(via justimagine-ddoc.com)
2. Old Upright Bass
An old upright base (or guitar) instrument can be gutted out into hip bookshelf display.
(via boredpanda.com)
3. Old LP Records
Old LP records can be warped into a wall magazine holder
(via dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com)
4. Old File Cabinet
An old file cabinet can be used as a garage utility storage
(via vitamin-ha.com)
5. Old File Cabinet Drawers
Turn old wood file drawers into a coffee table that has storage
(via vitamin-ha.com)
Spiff up an old wood file drawer into a dog feeding station
(via etsy)
6. Old Window Shutters
Old window shutters can be converted into a table
(via vitamin-ha.com)
7. Old Chairs
Display part of your old chairs as a wall bathroom wall rack
(via etsy)
Turn an old chair into a comfy dog bed
(via upsocl.com)
8. Old Table
Old coffee table treasures can be turned into a wall shelf
(via inspirationsandwich.wordpress.com)
9. Old Ladder
An old ladder can be used as a decorative piece to frame your framed photos
(via dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com)
10. Old Rake
An old rake can easily be converted into a kitchen utility holder
(via loveinamasonjar.wordpress.com)
Old rakes can also be used as a wine glass holder
11. Old Drawers
Old drawers can serve a new purpose as a wall memo board
(via brit.co)
Old drawers can also be used as a wall shelf for books or things
( via HomeTalk)
You can also turn an old drawer into a bookshelf
(via loveinamasonjar.wordpress.com)
12. Old Pillowcase
An old pillowcase can be utilized as a laundry hamper
(via brit.co)
13. Old Ironing Board
Take an old ironing board and make it into a thread spool holder for the craft room
(via recyclart.org)
14. Old Dishes
Stack up some of your old dishes into a jewelry or makeup holder
(via HomeTalk)
15. Old Kitchen Graters
Old kitchen graters have been found to have another use – as ceiling light
(via vitamin-ha.com)
16. Old Cutting Board
An old cutting board is transformed into wall art which also functions to hold kitchen items
(via HomeTalk.com)
17. Old Luggage
An old luggage case could be turned into a bathroom mirror cabinet
( via dukesandduchesses.com)
18. Old Spring Frame
Old baby crib spring frame is turned into a ceiling hanger
(via itsy-bits-and-pieces.blogspot.com)
19. Old Jeans
Stuff old jeans with dirt and use as a planter
(via littlepieceofme.com)
20. Old Tires
Take old tires and paint them with color as new garden planters
(via mom.me)
21. Old Tire Rim
Use an old tire rim as a garden hose holder
(via viladoartesao.com.br)
22. Old Car Side-View Mirror
An old car side-view mirror can serve another purpose as a wall display shelf
(via etsy)
23. Old Game Boards
Old game boards can be turned into wall shelves
(via ThriftCore.com)
24. Old Crates
Old crates could be used as an outdoor bar
(via thegardenglove.com)
25. Old Globe Stand
An old globe frame can make a great paper towel holder
(via lovelyetc.com)
As I said, it was difficult to stop looking at all the vast creative ways people have transformed old stuff into useful, functional new treasures. So, if you’ve been storing inherited heirlooms in your garage (or storage place) or having trouble letting go of certain things you no longer have a use for, try giving them a new purpose in life that will give it new value to you.
So many great ideas using recycled pieces.
Thank you. But some of your pictures were very difficult to see. Because it exceeded my frame of my phone. For instance I could not see your results of the iron board. Not at all.
I am inspired and impressed with the ideas of some of the things, I am going to have to try them.
Fantastic ideas. Going to try the tyre rim. Thank you.
Hi I love your ideas but just wondering for your out door things like the metal tire rim what kind of paint do you use for something like that? I would think regular acrylic paint would start to peel maybe or do you varnish it with something.
Thanks for any advice you can give me.:-)
Can I purchase musical water fountain?
Great round up ! But none of the images where clickable, it would have been nice to be able to click a link to see the original posts.
Just rotate your phone sideways. If your phone’s settings are set correctly, the photo will rotate and you’ll be able to see the full photo.
I would begin with a coat of white “Rustoleum” spray paint after removing any rust, grime, etc. Then acrylic paints would be fine, followed by 1-2 coats of clear polyacrylic or polyurethane for protection.
I want the ironing board thread holder and drawer shelves if I am ever blessed with an actual sewing/craft room instead of a wall off the kitchen. So cool!
The source of image is at bottom of image but is not a link.
Love the hose holder. So pretty!
I think my dad-in-law has a few of those old tire rims lying around outside of his shop. I’m going to see if he will let me make it all pretty to use as a water hose hanger. Right now, ours is lying out on the ground.
I had the same issue, but I tapped on the picture twice, and it went to that picture only and it sized it to the size I could see on my phone. Then there was an arrow at top of screen to go back to list
How do you attach the rim to the wall? Rims can be very heavy
These photo idea samples were taken from various sources on the Internet (see Image Source at bottom of photo). I don’t necessarily know how some of these were put together.
Not sure how to fix that for you. Very sorry.
Any ideas for empty tubes from adding machine paper or receipt printers? Our office generates a lot. I recycle fervently but hope there’s a use for them.
Wonderful ideas, can’t wait to create/up source some for myself!
I have a vice 30inches tall. Made of timber as big as railway ties. Antic family heir loom. Suggestions to repurpose? Would enjoy using it in the house.
Thank you.
I love the ladder with the pictures!
Love all these ideas and will try a few. Love to repurpose things. They have character that you cant buy at a store.
How do you do the pillow on the door idea? What is the rim thingy around the outside that is used to hang it?
How do I make that happen? Number fifteen, do you have directions for this one?
Thank you!!