10 Ways to Repurpose Broken Stuff

In a world increasingly consumed with reducing our consumption, we must learn to repair and, at times, repurpose things even when they are broken. If we can do that, we can not only use fewer resources to make new products but we can also make our surroundings more inspired and creative. Soon we may be done with the era of flatpack personality and disposable décor.

All that said, repurposing isn’t just about finding any old way to take something and make something else. Our repurposing projects need to culminate in something of value, a feature that has both function and beauty. Most importantly, it should be something we would want and want to use. When approached like this, finding ways to repurpose broken stuff can be exciting.

Window Frame Mirror

Old frame windows are great fun to do repurposing projects with. They have huge potential. One cool idea is taking a frame window with broken panes and replacing those panes with mirrors. DIY/hardware stores should be able to cut mirrors to size, so they can fit back into the frame just like windows would.

Chipped Teacup Birdfeeder

A nice collection of birdfeeders in the garden can be attractive on its own, but when you add in the wildlife, it pays huge dividends. There are tons of DIY birdfeeders to try, and the broken tea cup glued on its side to a saucer is great. The seed appears to be spilling out of the overturned cup.

Legless Chair Swing

Old wooden chairs are a quality item to have around the house, but often those old legs will finally give out. If repairing is possible, that’s great. But, you can also take the other three legs off (save them for other projects) and hang the remainder of the chair like a porch swing.

Ponytail Cord Coilers

For those with long hair, ponytail holders are a must, but they all eventually give way and lose elasticity. That’s when they can become perfect cord coilers. All those plug-in cords that get stuffed behind entertainment centers, desks, nightstands, and so on can be a lot tidier. In crowded places, old bread tags can become labels for which cord belongs to which item.

Cracked Plate Art

Ceramic plates are prone to breaking now and again, and it can be frustrating to see them go, especially specially selected pretty ones. Instead, of trashing them, or sticking them in the bottom of a plant pot for drainage, they can be glued back together and hung on the wall like an accidental work of art.

Broken Crayon Candles

Broken and notably short crayons can be a drag to use, so they get stuffed down in the bottom of the crayon box or bag and forgotten. Over time, anyone with children or a coloring habit will find themselves with a disfigured crayon collection. Wildly, they can be melted with wax and poured into an old jar to make a crayon candle.

Wooden Ladder Pot Rack

Wooden ladders will last a long time, but they sometimes become a bit shaky and uncomfortable to be on. If tightening them up doesn’t seem to work, they are also for repurposing projects. An awesome repurpose for those with limited kitchen space is to hang them from the ceilings to act as a pot rack.

Busted Hose Blade/Edge Sheath

Garden hoses are prone to busting, and most of the time they are easy to repair. The hardware store has parts that can mend a hose in two pieces or replace either end of the hose. However, sometimes the pieces just get too small. In this case, they can be slit open and used to sheath sharp blades, such as on axes or shovels, or sharp edges like sheets of tin might have.

Old Clock Picture Frame

Knowing the time is something we all have to know from time to time, so we have clocks. Sometimes clocks stop working. At that point, they can become cool picture frames because having photos of our loved ones is something we all like to look at from time to time. Just pop the glass off, remove the hands, and put an appropriately sized photo in it. Add the hands back if you want to be a bit kooky.

Drawer Foot Rest/Stool

When old pieces of furniture give out, there is a lot to salvage from them. The legs are easy to repurpose. Lots of the wood can be used for something new. And, the drawers are awesome. A nice big drawer can be filled with a thick thrift store cushion (or two), covered with some old upholstery fabric, and given legs to become an ottoman or sitting stool.

It’s important that we again begin to repurpose and repair things, valuing them as precious resources that are integral to the planet. We don’t want to make more trash, and we don’t throw out useful items. So, let’s start using our imaginations to give them new life.

Related Content:

• 10 Different Light Fixtures Made from Repurposed Items
• How to Repurpose Glass Bottles and Jars
• How To Make Repurposed Bowls With Cacao Pods
• 10 Gift Ideas from Repurposed Secondhand Stuff
• 9 Ideas for Using Repurposed Wood for Holiday Decor

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