Surprising New Uses for Old Things
Repurposing discarded items in unexpected ways can add character to homes in need of a little soul
Stumbling upon an out-of-the-ordinary light fixture, artwork or household item when you visit someone’s home for the first time can stop you in your tracks and make your mouth drop open in delight, so why not strive for the same reaction at your house? As these ideas will reveal, repurposed items of all kinds can become talking points in a home – and be useful additions.
Electrical insulators
You don’t have to love industrial style to get a kick out of these repurposed lights hanging over the island bench in the kitchen.
You don’t have to love industrial style to get a kick out of these repurposed lights hanging over the island bench in the kitchen.
These were made by Aloha Lights, which custom makes lights out of recycled, reused, salvaged and discarded items that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Colanders and mixing bowls
In this converted old school in North London, brightly painted colanders have been turned into bespoke pendant lights – just the ticket for a foodie family who wanted their home to be interesting rather than flashy. The same approach could be taken with ceramic mixing bowls or pudding bowls.
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In this converted old school in North London, brightly painted colanders have been turned into bespoke pendant lights – just the ticket for a foodie family who wanted their home to be interesting rather than flashy. The same approach could be taken with ceramic mixing bowls or pudding bowls.
See more of this apartment
African drums
African wares punctuate every room in this beach house, tying the spaces together with a tribal theme. A drum-turned-bedside table is a novel way to add some colour and character to a contemporary bedroom.
African wares punctuate every room in this beach house, tying the spaces together with a tribal theme. A drum-turned-bedside table is a novel way to add some colour and character to a contemporary bedroom.
Outmoded maps
Pull-down classroom maps have a certain charm about them and, while they can no longer serve as accurate teaching tools, they can be quirky and colourful additions to hallways or rooms at home. This world map was found at an antique store.
Pull-down classroom maps have a certain charm about them and, while they can no longer serve as accurate teaching tools, they can be quirky and colourful additions to hallways or rooms at home. This world map was found at an antique store.
Blueprints and city plans
In the same vein as world maps, but slightly more obscure (and therefore artistic), are blueprints and city maps. Frame the blueprints of your house for history’s sake, or put your favourite city or town plan on display. This dining room features a vintage New York map for the homeowners to reminisce about the times they spent there.
In the same vein as world maps, but slightly more obscure (and therefore artistic), are blueprints and city maps. Frame the blueprints of your house for history’s sake, or put your favourite city or town plan on display. This dining room features a vintage New York map for the homeowners to reminisce about the times they spent there.
If you live near the beach, turning an old surfboard into an outdoor shower is a fun way to wash off the salt and sand before heading indoors. If the beach is far from home, there’s nothing stopping you doing it anyway.
Watering cans
You don’t have to live in a greenhouse to steal this idea. Old watering cans are easy to find in old wares shops – the rustier the better for an installation like this one.
Learn more about this converted greenhouse
You don’t have to live in a greenhouse to steal this idea. Old watering cans are easy to find in old wares shops – the rustier the better for an installation like this one.
Learn more about this converted greenhouse
Weighing scales
In the bathroom as a spot for guest towels or in the kitchen as a fruit bowl, scales from yesteryear add a vintage vibe wherever they’re hung. Authentic versions don’t usually come cheap, but are worth it for the character they bring.
In the bathroom as a spot for guest towels or in the kitchen as a fruit bowl, scales from yesteryear add a vintage vibe wherever they’re hung. Authentic versions don’t usually come cheap, but are worth it for the character they bring.
Old typewriters
This one has been put to use as a way for guests to write a note to the bride and groom at a wedding, but it could also become your guest register if you’re running an Airbnb out of your home or studio, or a way to leave love letters for your other half.
This one has been put to use as a way for guests to write a note to the bride and groom at a wedding, but it could also become your guest register if you’re running an Airbnb out of your home or studio, or a way to leave love letters for your other half.
Teapots
Teapots aren’t the oft-used household items they used to be but secondhand teapots from days gone by have a charm all their own. Op-shops often have mismatched cups, saucers and teapots that can be put to good use as small-scale pot plants for a window sill or outdoor table.
Make do and mend: enjoy the savings of the simple life
Teapots aren’t the oft-used household items they used to be but secondhand teapots from days gone by have a charm all their own. Op-shops often have mismatched cups, saucers and teapots that can be put to good use as small-scale pot plants for a window sill or outdoor table.
Make do and mend: enjoy the savings of the simple life
Game boards
Who needs fine art when there are antique stores to trawl through for treasures? An old game board hung on the wall creates a one-of-a-kind artwork with a sense of history – who knows how many furrowed brows have leaned over this chessboard in a quest for victory.
Who needs fine art when there are antique stores to trawl through for treasures? An old game board hung on the wall creates a one-of-a-kind artwork with a sense of history – who knows how many furrowed brows have leaned over this chessboard in a quest for victory.
Bicycles
Old bikes need not be put out on the curb when they can be transformed into a functional bit of fun for your garden. A lick of violet paint – on the tires and all – keeps rust at bay here, and the baskets are the perfect spot for a pot plant or two.
Old bikes need not be put out on the curb when they can be transformed into a functional bit of fun for your garden. A lick of violet paint – on the tires and all – keeps rust at bay here, and the baskets are the perfect spot for a pot plant or two.
Suitcases
We’ve all seen old suitcases used as coffee tables or stacked up as bedside tables, but what about an instant drinks cabinet? Simply open the lid when guests are over and voila! Instant cocktail party.
We’ve all seen old suitcases used as coffee tables or stacked up as bedside tables, but what about an instant drinks cabinet? Simply open the lid when guests are over and voila! Instant cocktail party.
Rowboats
If you’ve got the space, why not? The owners of this home have truly embraced their home’s lakeside location. The suspended rowboat is made more of a feature with lighting above it, and beneath each of the seats inside.
If you’ve got the space, why not? The owners of this home have truly embraced their home’s lakeside location. The suspended rowboat is made more of a feature with lighting above it, and beneath each of the seats inside.
Ladders
Ladders are sometimes seen in bathrooms and bedrooms adorned with towels or scarves, but they can be so much more functional in a laundry. The rungs are just the right size to accommodate coat hangers wielding damp clothes.
Tell us
How have you put old things to another use? Share your ideas in the Comments.
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Ladders are sometimes seen in bathrooms and bedrooms adorned with towels or scarves, but they can be so much more functional in a laundry. The rungs are just the right size to accommodate coat hangers wielding damp clothes.
Tell us
How have you put old things to another use? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More
Browse more laundry ideas
Stringing up purpose-made shade sails has become a popular and relatively inexpensive way of sheltering outdoor areas from the sun, but what about using an actual sail instead? A sail is hardy, comes with readymade holes to affix fastenings, and is sure to draw people outdoors.