40+ Inspiring Repurposing Ideas for Making Old Things New Again
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Make old things new again with these inspiring repurposing ideas. From kitchenware to old clothes, furniture to garden tools, there are ideas for everyone.
Looking for a way to exercise your creative self?
What about a little creative repurposing?
Part of what it means to be frugal is to creatively meet your needs without spending a lot of money.
Repurposing is a win all round: your needs are met. You get to flex your creative muscles and you’re helping keep waste out of landfill.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are just a few ideas on how to turn old stuff into new stuff and give it a second life.
Re-purposing Old Stuff
Looking for inspiration for creative ways to re-purpose old stuff. Here are # ideas to do just that.
DIY Repurposed Denim Wall Organizer
Turn old jeans and pockets into this handy wall organiser for all your bits and bobs.
Alice’s Dresser Bench
Turn an old dresser into a lux bench seat with built-in storage.
DIY Wind Chimes - Recycle Spoons
Recycled spoon wind chime. This would make a great gift. Or a lovely garden ornament.
Easy Homemade Earring Holder from an Upcycled Cheese Grater!
Turn an old rusty cheese grater into a cute and practical earring holder.
How To Make A No Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag In 10 Minutes
Don't throw out that old t-shirt. Turn it into a tote bag! These instructions show how to do it without any sewing and in 10 minutes. Great quick craft project.
Corner Cabinet Planter
Turn a corner cabinet into a super-cute planter. Great for small space gardens.
Making Lights: DIY Tin Can Lanterns
Make your next garden party magical with these tin can lanterns made from recycled cans
17 Ridiculously Easy and Smart Uses For Your Old Pill Bottles
Lots of ways to recycle old pill bottles.
From Oops to Ahhh! Broken China to Garden Stones
It's ideas like these that make me wish we had a garden. Recycle old broken china into beautiful garden stones.
DIY Jewelry stand holder from vintage china
Turn vintage china into a unique jewellery stand. This would make a great gift for people who love all things vintage.
before & after: sofa made from old doors
Turn old doors into a sofa.
Easy Water-Resistant Upcycled Jeans Picnic Blanket
Turn old denim into a picnic blanket. These instructions also include how to make it water-resistant.
How to Make a Lego Table
Lego table from an old coffee table. My kids would love this.
Cynthia Shaffer
Make a useful cady to hold craft items or stationary from old tin cans.
Teddy From a Baby's Onesie
This personal teddy might just be a child's lovey for years to come.
DIY Sisal Rope Ottoman From a Milk Crate!
It's hard to believe that this stylish ottoman is actually an old milk crate.
Rake Head Necklace Hangers — Olive & Love
Make a necklace hanger from an old rake head. Great for a country-themed room. This can also be used in the kitchen for hanging spoons etc.
Repurposed Cot
Repurpose an old cot into a kid's table.
Make Your Own Tiered Stand Tutorial
Make a tiered fruit stand from old bits and pieces.
Make Slippers from an Old Sweater
These comfy house slippers are made from an old woollen jumper.
From an Old Refrigerator to an Ice Chest
Need a really big esky? Make one from an old fridge.
Make a Basket Out of Plastic Bags
It's best to say no to plastic bags and use reusable ones. However, if you have a bunch lurking around, recycle them into this cool basket.
Junkers Unite with a stepladder side table
I love the country cottage look. And I'm totally in love with this side table from an old wooden stepladder.
Vintage Ladle Candle Holder
Turn an old ladle into a wall-mounted candle holder.
DIY Table Makeover - Changing Table Upcycled to a Bar Cart.
For when the kids are older and you can be an adult again. Turn an old change table into a drink cart.
Tutorial: Shabby Chic Dangly Earring Display
Got an old frame and some spare wire? Turn it into an earring display.
How to sew a fabric rug : Tutorial
Make a gorgeous fabric rug from scraps. How good does this look on those wooden floorboards!
How To Make A French-Styled Bench From Old Chairs
Turn two chairs into one, for two.
DIY Hose Reel
This is so practical and lasts a lot longer than a plastic hose reel you buy at the hardware store. And it's recycling!
How to Convert a Colander Into a Planter
How cute are these! And you don't even need to drill drainage holes.
How to Make a Bicycle Rim Clock
Make a clock from an old bike rim and coke can.
Turn an Old Tire into a Rope Ottoman
Turn an old tyre into a sturdy rope ottoman.
Farmhouse Style Tray from a Thrift Store Cutting Board
Turn an old cutting board into a tray. I imagine it sitting on the ottoman above with a whiskey sour on it.
Cat Litter Bucket into Nautical Storage Tote (Tutorial)
Turn a cat-littler bucket (clean litter lol) into a cute storage bucket. Great for kid's rooms.
Felted Wool Sweater Blanket Tutorial » Yellow Suitcase Studio
This blanket looks so warm and comfy! Makes me long for cold weather to snuggle up in this.
Re-imagined Dish Displays
More ideas for old rakes - use it as a cup holder.
Fairy houses and fairy wings for your dolls
Create fairy houses for small dolls from old containers.
Peter Cole's Vintage Key Hooks and Necklaces
Hang your keys on hooks made from old keys! Very meta.
Make a Woven Belt Seat
Fix an old seat with old belts. Genius!
Dinosaur Bookends with Hot Glue!
These book ends would look great in a kid's room.
Our greenest project yet
More country-style love. A new coffee table out of an old door.
How to Make a Window Table (For the Rustic Look)
The above coffee table is made out of a door. This one? A window! I love how you can see the books under the glass.
DIY: Coffee pot terrarium
Bring back the seventies with a terrarium. Transform an old coffee pot into an indoor garden.
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Hi Melissa,
Absolutely love this post ! I already have plenty of old tires in and out around the house. For gardening, it ideal for the kids to have their personal corner and keep the mess to a minimum. I also plant herbs in them, it’s great for basil, and I have a chili mini-tree that thrives in its own personal tire. Inside, I made a doggy-bed : painted, put 4 small castor wheels for ease of move and a large pillow inside. I stuck a round piece of wood inside the tire to keep the pillow in place. My (very) small dog loves it.
Also tested the lazy susan with tins to keep pencils and all kraft essentials. It works wonder : I always know where the scisors, sticky tape, glue, colour pencils, etc., are. I covered all the tins with the same craft paper and it looks great.
As for furniture : when I bought my house, there was not much money left for furniture. So I bought 20 pallets, plenty of castor wheels and made a beautiful sofa, plus a queen size bed for me and 2 single size beds for the kids. I had proper mattresses for the beds, but found a mattress on the kerb for the sofa, covered it with a nice blanket and made cushions with Ikea carpets, pillow inserts and zippers. It looked fantastic ! On the practical side, it’s great to move around when cleaning.
I also bought old crates (on Gumtree, a bargain) and besser blocks (painted glossy white) to build a kind of library where all books, board games and (more !) kraft material took place.
I will keep your post and show it to my daughter, she will love it and we probably will go to the Salvos for some great bargains.
Thanks for the great post !
Corinne
Wow – thank you for sharing Corinne. You have a talent for this! More than anything in the post above, you’ve inspired me. Thank you.