Do you love a good repurpose like I do? I seriously love to see things brought back to life in new ways. Hey there, amazing Friends! Today I am rounding up 15+ ordinary items that I have repurposed in a new way.
It’s always fun to look back, and since I have been working my little DIY fingers to the bone outside on less fun/more important projects, AND I’m getting ready for our big annual neighborhood yard sale that is happening this weekend, I thought this was a great time to dust off some old projects!
Enjoy!
1.
Let’s start with this antique mirror I found for $10:
It had some age to it and I did like the detailed top, so for $10 at the thrift store, I brought it home. It sat in my garage for forever and by the time I went to make it over, the mirror was pretty scratched up, and it was super heavy anyway. I decided to ditch the mirror for a chalkboard. I also added a couple of hooks to add more function:
See more of this simple project HERE.
2.
Up next are these pretty vintage aqua bowls and wooden candlesticks (there were two) I picked up the thrift store:
I used them to create this fun and functional tiered jewelry stand:
See how I did it HERE.
I also created this one the same way:
You can find this one HERE.
3.
This next project was made with a combination of an old fence picket, a wood scrap, and a chair spindle:
I turned them into this cute tote:
That project is a perfect example of why I can’t throw anything away!
See more of it HERE.
4.
Did you have one of these in your house in the 80’s?
I did. Mine was navy blue. When I spied this one at the thrift store, I immediately saw it as a cute cabinet, and got to work removing all that 80’s charm:
Much better!
See more of this dated do-over HERE.
5.
Here’s a simple project that gives new purpose to a wooden frame:
The addition of a fence picket, white-washed and cut to fit, turns it into the perfect tray:
See the full tutorial HERE.
6.
For this next project, I used a drawer that came off of a dresser I made over:
I decided to turn it into a shelf:
Perfect for a bathroom, right? See the whole makeover HERE.
7.
For Swap it Like it’s Hot Spring Edition last year, I received these items in the mail to make over from my blogger friend, Shanna from Restoration Redoux:
Hmm challenging eh? What would you make with these items?
I reconfigured all the wooden pieces and added a spindle to create this whimsical planter for my garden:
I shared how I made it from those items HERE.
8.
I picked up this headboard at the thrift store for $10:
That center panel was just begging to become a chalkboard:
Adding the hooks across the bottom made it even more functional. See the whole transformation HERE.
9.
Clearly I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a headboard. They are like a blank canvas sometimes.
I scored this one for $5:
For Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday, I turned it into a fun place to hang your towels or coats!
See how I made this over and read about my oopsie moment HERE.
10.
Okay okay just one more headboard project! I found this spindle headboard for $20:
I knew this would make a gorgeous bench:
I was not looking forward to painting all those spindles though. See how I made light work of painting, and how I built this bench HERE.
11.
This next project started out as a 99¢ CD holder:
I gave it new purpose as a caddy, perfect for organizing all kinds of things!
See how it came together HERE.
12.
I stepped outside of my norm sharing what I did with these children’s clothes:
I turned them into clothes for my niece’s American Girl Doll:
I even made the all the shoes. I made most of these pieces using one pattern. Check it out HERE.
13.
I’ve repurposed a few of these small lamps. Here’s one I did just before Christmas:
It became a charming mini memo board:
See how I did it plus three more HERE.
14.
I just shared a flatware box makeover, but here is another one:
As you know, they are fantastic repurposed as jewelry boxes:
See what the inside looks like HERE.
15.
This project I shared earlier this year started as curbside trash:
The mirror was missing already when I found it, but it made the perfect frame for a memo board with the addition of a some chicken wire:
16.
The next two projects are very recent, but they are great examples of how you can repurpose things.
First is this chair back I stole from my neighbor’s trash:
It became a functional shelf little shelf, and the hooks let it serve double duty:
I have not taken this to my shop yet. I’m not quite ready to part with it lol. It’s one of my favorites! 🙂
See how I made it HERE.
17.
Lastly, everyone enjoys a good window project, right? Remember I picked this one up at a yard sale for $5?
After cutting all the awkward window edges off, it became a shadow box of sorts:
Perfect for displaying seasonal photos!
See how this project came together HERE.
I hope you enjoyed this look back with me.
If you want to see even more repurposing ideas…
Here’s 15 more!
15 More Ordinary Items Repurposed
I hope you are feeling inspired to see ordinary items in a whole new way!
I’ll be back on Tuesday with my Trash-to-Treasure girls sharing what I did with these frames I almost put out for my yard sale:
See y’all then! Have a great weekend. 🙂
UPDATE: See the cute thang I made with these frames HERE now!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Christina in FL says
Christy, this is a cornucopia of coolness. 🙂 Some I missed and some I had to revisit. Always inspirational. 🙂
Christy says
Aww thanks, girl! Glad you enjoyed the look back! 🙂 XO
Paula says
I loved seeing these projects again. You always amaze me with your creativity!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Paula! It’s a shame sometimes that we put so much effort into a project to rarely be seen again, so a revisit it always nice. XOXC
Sue says
Just have to say you are amazing!!! I don’t know how you come up with the repurposed ideas. Great job!!
Christy says
Thank you, Sue!! You are so sweet! XOXO
At Rivercrest Cottage says
So much imagination! Love all your makeovers. Since you’re having a neighborhood sale, I was wondering if your neighbors ever recognize their “curbside trash” while buying it back?
Christy says
Thank you! Oh wouldn’t that be funny? Fortunately most of the things I rescue from neighbors end up in my shop ha ha! 🙂
Sherry Stuifbergen says
You are the best! I try to outguess you before I read the blog…(come up with MY idea)….then I slap my knee, after reading on… that YOUR idea was better! You are an inspiration for looking “outside the box,” for ambition to finish the project. It is good to have an outlet to “sell” your creativity too. I wish there was a place where I live…
Christy says
You are so funny, Sherry, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy my makeovers, and yes, I love that I have a place to unload all the goodies I create! XOXO
Susan Watson says
Your creativity and skillset are stunning! I thoroughly enjoy your posts and just want to see thank you for sharing so many inspiring ideas!
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! You are so welcome…I am thrilled that you enjoy what I share! XOXO
Suzy says
You’re amazing!
Christy says
Wow thank you, Suzy!! XO
Julie Briones says
I have always loved that aqua/white tiered tray you made. And one of my all-time faves was the transformation of that CD holder. I remember my mouth dropping open when I first saw it. And those dolls clothes… and that… LOL! Just love your stuff. I wanna be like you when I grow up.
On a side note, last nite I picked up two little black lanterns to put on either side of my boxwood wreath that’s inside the vintage window pane I posted over on Decor Enthusiasts. I’m hoping to mount them this weekend, and I’ll update.
Thanks for all your inspiration and kindness, Christy. Hugs!
Julie Briones says
Oh, I have a question, too. Do those hooks on the headboard chalk board have a more level (stick our more straight) ‘hook’ to it on the top hook? I want something like this to hang my little lanterns on (in black, or course). 🙂
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Julie!! Those were some of my favorites too, especially the doll clothes since I have boys. I was in girlie heaven! I think lanterns would be a great addition to your window. I don’t think those hooks would stick out far enough though? Maybe something like this: http://amzn.to/2pezu7p ? I know you’ll come up with something! Thanks for always cheering me on!! XOXO
Julie Briones says
Oooo, THAT is perfect…. and it shows others, too! How did you come up with that? I was looking for something like that, but didn’t know what to search for.
The lanterns are only about 4 inches across, square. So, I would only need something that extended 2-3 inches… I’m thinking?
Christy says
I searched for lantern hanger 🙂
Marcie Lovett says
Fun to look back on these, especially that gorgeous mirror!
I thought of you over the weekend because my neighbor replaced his picket fence. I wanted to ask for the old fence pieces, then snapped back to reality. I love your work, and share your eye for good junk, but I lack your talent (and garage)!
Christy says
I’m glad you enjoyed this look back, Marcie! Oh man, I would have snagged it all ha ha! But of course I am trying to be good these days. I actually passed up a stack of perfectly cut 4X4 fence pieces last weekend! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I applaud your self control, Christy. Good luck this weekend and don’t forget – you want to unload your stuff, not bring home more!
Christy says
It broke my heart a little to pass on those fence pieces, but I still have a stack to use. Hey I haven’t done a fence picket project in a while! And yes, I promise to be good this weekend! Maybe. 🙂
Margie says
Thanks for looking back ????I have a couple old frames that are getting a makeover.
Christy says
You are so welcome, Margie! I’m sure your frames will look fantastic! XO
Karen Moore says
In case anyone has forgotten, you just reminded all of us what can be done with a little imagination. You are amazing.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Karen, I appreciate that!! XOXO
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
Seeing these projects again altogether is a testament to your amazing talent! As I’ve said before, you have an incredible eye for detail and creative mind that thinks outside of the box. Love each and every one of these!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Marie! Have a great weekend, Friend! XOXO
Aubrey says
Thank you for sharing such wonderful projects – you are so talented and creative!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Aubrey! XO
Kathleen Rupp says
Great ideas!!! I loved the white spindle bench re-purposed from a bed! I will be re-visiting…happy to have found your site!
Christy says
Thanks, Kathleen! That’s one of my favorite projects! SO glad you found me! XO