Repurpose Something Old Into Something Brilliant & New To You

New is not always better. In fact, many of us have a goldmine of old stuff in our homes which can be re-purposed into something so wonderful, we’d be appalled we ever thought it was junk. And in this economy, re-purposing is really the best way to go if you’re looking to design any space on a small budget. And who doesn’t want to save money, right?

The following are some images I found for today’s design post showing several possibilities for items many of us would more than likely haul off to the closest Goodwill. So, the next time you’re doing any “Spring Cleaning”, ask yourself, “What else can I make out of this?”

I’ve used old suit cases such as these for photography props, but what a fantastic idea as seen on Apartment Therapy for re-purposing old suitcases as wall shelving. Brilliant! Also, I have to mention the adorable idea of using dice as the middle drawer’s hardware. Such a cute design! I just wish I’d thought of it

Apartment Therapy - Repurposed Suitcases into Shelves

Okay, now you’re probably going to say, “Stephanie…I don’t have truck springs like these just sitting around my house!” Well, that’s probably true, but you can find items like these truck springs featured on Apartment Therapy by going to your local junk yard. Even better, take a drive out of your city to a rural junk yard…they have some amazing stuff out there just waiting for you to re-purpose ‘em.

Apartment Therapy - Repurposed Truck Springs as Bar Stools

Next up, here’s something a lot of people probably have sitting in their garage. Or if you don’t, your local Goodwill or thrift store may have something similar. It’s an old hutch that’s been re-purposed into an island as seen over at Better Homes & Gardens. Isn’t it pretty?

Better Homes & Gardens - Repurposed Buffet as Island

Again, this jack from Restoration Hardware isn’t something you’d find just laying around your house. Of course, if you like the look you can purchase it from Restoration Hardware. But that’s not the point. The point is to show you what you can do with old things you may find with just a little bit of thought. Try it out the next time you’re at a thrift store or flea market. If you look at items not for how they look at the moment, but instead the potential they have to be something amazing…a whole new world of design opens up. It’s really a fun feeling!

Here’s something you can most certainly find at any thrift store. It’s an old bed frame, headboard and foot board that’s been re-purposed into a love seat and featured on Better Homes & Gardens. Now that’s something anyone can find anywhere and easily do.

Better Homes & Gardens - Repurposed Headboard Into Loveseat

Below are some wood floors that have been re-purposed into this table and featured on Design Sponge. Seriously, most people would just throw their old floors away. That’s why it’s good to start thinking about recycling and not only your everyday garbage, but other items you throw away less frequently, yet still have a footprint effect on the environment. So next time you or anyone you know is redoing floors, think about what you can do with them. You’ll be doing something great for the environment and creating something fantastic all at once!

I’ve saved the best for last. I’ve been wanting to do something like this in our master bathroom for ages. And I think I’ve finally talked The Hubby into getting on-board with the idea, especially after I showed him this image from Traditional Home. If you don’t have doors like these already, finding some like them is not difficult. Most big cities have a Habitat For Humanity Re-Store where items from homes being remodeled or demolished are donated. Re-Stores are great places to find doors like these. In fact, just last week I went to our local re-store and found rows and rows and rows of doors. It would take me all day to get through them all.

But just think of all the possibilities…