Decorating
10 Forgotten Items to Repurpose as Standout Features
From pre-loved to re-loved, these repurposed pieces have been cleverly transformed into highly functional furniture
Furniture pieces often have names that identify their placement or function – a bedside table, for example, is a table beside a bed. However, other objects can provide that same function. Perhaps you could use a vintage travel trunk or an old filing cabinet beside your bed instead? Repurposing old or obsolete objects to function as furniture can transform the look of a room, as well as being good for the budget and the environment. Here are 10 objects that have gone from used up to useful.
2. A ladder
Although traditionally designed for reaching higher planes, a ladder can be used for hanging tea towels in the kitchen, bath towels in the bathroom, or even quilts or blankets in the bedroom or living room.
Choose a ladder with round rungs for a neat and tidy display that won’t damage fabric.
More ways to repurpose a ladder
Although traditionally designed for reaching higher planes, a ladder can be used for hanging tea towels in the kitchen, bath towels in the bathroom, or even quilts or blankets in the bedroom or living room.
Choose a ladder with round rungs for a neat and tidy display that won’t damage fabric.
More ways to repurpose a ladder
3. A wooden crate
Wooden packing crates come in various forms, as their original purpose was to protect a variety of items during transport. Designed to be durable, wooden crates can last for decades and often have the markings of a previous time.
With a top surface for display, a wooden crate can be used as a substitute for a small sideboard, bedside table, coffee table or any other piece of furniture that provides a place on which to stack books and other objects.
Wooden packing crates come in various forms, as their original purpose was to protect a variety of items during transport. Designed to be durable, wooden crates can last for decades and often have the markings of a previous time.
With a top surface for display, a wooden crate can be used as a substitute for a small sideboard, bedside table, coffee table or any other piece of furniture that provides a place on which to stack books and other objects.
4. A filing cabinet
Filing cabinets are becoming more and more rare as our lives become increasingly paperless. But don’t let those soon-to-be historic filing cabinets go to waste; they can provide terrific storage for a multitude of objects in the home.
This bathroom vanity is made from an old wooden filing cabinet with metal handles. A white marble top lightens the look to complement the rest of the bathroom.
Filing cabinets are becoming more and more rare as our lives become increasingly paperless. But don’t let those soon-to-be historic filing cabinets go to waste; they can provide terrific storage for a multitude of objects in the home.
This bathroom vanity is made from an old wooden filing cabinet with metal handles. A white marble top lightens the look to complement the rest of the bathroom.
5. A locker
Once seen in public places – but much less so today – lockers have been used for storage of items in schools, workplaces, transport hubs and more, and come in a range of sizes.
This metal locker was once used for storing all manner of tools and carpentry items, such as nails, nuts and bolts. The doors were removed at some point (you can still see remnants of the hinges), and today the locker houses a colourful collection of sneakers.
Once seen in public places – but much less so today – lockers have been used for storage of items in schools, workplaces, transport hubs and more, and come in a range of sizes.
This metal locker was once used for storing all manner of tools and carpentry items, such as nails, nuts and bolts. The doors were removed at some point (you can still see remnants of the hinges), and today the locker houses a colourful collection of sneakers.
6. A travel trunk
The nostalgic travel trunk has become all but obsolete today, gradually replaced over the 20th century by suitcases – first with handles, then with wheels.
Today, the travel trunk of yesteryear, with all its romantic and exotic connotations, doubles as both storage and surface display. As a bedside table, coffee table, side table, or display piece, the travel trunk always looks worldly and sophisticated.
The history of the travel trunk
The nostalgic travel trunk has become all but obsolete today, gradually replaced over the 20th century by suitcases – first with handles, then with wheels.
Today, the travel trunk of yesteryear, with all its romantic and exotic connotations, doubles as both storage and surface display. As a bedside table, coffee table, side table, or display piece, the travel trunk always looks worldly and sophisticated.
The history of the travel trunk
7. A console
The console originated in 18th-century France, when more and more furniture pieces were designed to address specific functions and purposes. The console was designed to be placed against a wall and was often narrow so as not to obstruct passage around it.
Here, it has been transformed into an elegant bathroom vanity that neatly fits within an alcove, and provides benchtop space as well as storage underneath for towels.
The console originated in 18th-century France, when more and more furniture pieces were designed to address specific functions and purposes. The console was designed to be placed against a wall and was often narrow so as not to obstruct passage around it.
Here, it has been transformed into an elegant bathroom vanity that neatly fits within an alcove, and provides benchtop space as well as storage underneath for towels.
8. A door
A wooden door can have a limited lifetime as a door, depending on the quality of the timber and structure. However, when no longer needed to serve its original purpose of protecting and insulating a home, a door can be repurposed as a bedhead.
Lie one door horizontally or stand two doors vertically to make a unique feature behind your bed. Also, check out the locker and ladder in this bedroom – it’s an upcyclist’s heaven.
A wooden door can have a limited lifetime as a door, depending on the quality of the timber and structure. However, when no longer needed to serve its original purpose of protecting and insulating a home, a door can be repurposed as a bedhead.
Lie one door horizontally or stand two doors vertically to make a unique feature behind your bed. Also, check out the locker and ladder in this bedroom – it’s an upcyclist’s heaven.
9. A drop-leaf table
Drop-leaf tables first came about in 17th-century England. They have one fixed surface and one or two hinged surfaces. They are ideal for small spaces and were used for dining, taking tea, playing games and could easily be placed against the wall for surface display when not in use.
Here, a quaint little drop-leaf table is used as a bedside table or nightstand with plenty of space for all bedtime essentials.
Drop-leaf tables first came about in 17th-century England. They have one fixed surface and one or two hinged surfaces. They are ideal for small spaces and were used for dining, taking tea, playing games and could easily be placed against the wall for surface display when not in use.
Here, a quaint little drop-leaf table is used as a bedside table or nightstand with plenty of space for all bedtime essentials.
10. Wood pallets
First introduced in the early 1920s, the humble wood pallet evolved with the forklift, making it easier to hoist up to store and load goods. And while they’re certainly still in use today when it comes to transportation, they can also be repurposed to elevate a mattress or cushions for a bed or sofa.
Ways to reinvent wooden pallets
First introduced in the early 1920s, the humble wood pallet evolved with the forklift, making it easier to hoist up to store and load goods. And while they’re certainly still in use today when it comes to transportation, they can also be repurposed to elevate a mattress or cushions for a bed or sofa.
Ways to reinvent wooden pallets
WHERE TO BUY
To find items to repurpose, scour salvage yards, secondhand stores, auction houses, websites, estate sales and similar. Take your time finding the right piece for your house. You may have to do some restoration work to make it suitable for your home, but the end result will add character to a room and by doing so may save you a little extra cash in your pocket.
TELL US
Have you repurposed objects as functional furniture pieces in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section.
MORE
Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
Upcycle Your Cast-Offs for a Brand New Look
10 Impressive Upcycling Projects for the Bedroom
To find items to repurpose, scour salvage yards, secondhand stores, auction houses, websites, estate sales and similar. Take your time finding the right piece for your house. You may have to do some restoration work to make it suitable for your home, but the end result will add character to a room and by doing so may save you a little extra cash in your pocket.
TELL US
Have you repurposed objects as functional furniture pieces in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section.
MORE
Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
Upcycle Your Cast-Offs for a Brand New Look
10 Impressive Upcycling Projects for the Bedroom
The collapsible trestle table was the dining table back in medieval times, and was simply formed by placing a board over trestle legs. It remained the most common form of dining table until the 16th century, when it was replaced (in wealthier homes, at least) by more solid and permanent structures.
While it is still used in varying forms as a dining room or outdoor table, the trestle also makes a great desk for a home office due to the placement of the legs. And as pre-loved trestle tables already come with their own marks and scars, a little more wear and tear will only add to the character.