8 Repurposed Items to Make Cool Shelves

Repurposing old, often unexpected, items as new things is fun and conversation-worthy. Pallet wood projects have been super popular for years, almost to the point that they have lost their quirkiness. Old framed windows are much the same, and repurposed rusty roofing tin at this point has occupied a notable percentage of Pinterest posts.

That’s not to say that we shouldn’t be looking to repurpose pallets, framed windows, or rusty tin anymore, but can we dig deeper? find new things? get more innovative? Of course, we can, and making some shelves at home is a great project for repurposing and finding a funky way to do it.

Whether it’s some simple shelves in the kitchen, something kitschy in the bedroom, or a nice bit of artsy for the living room, there are lots of options for repurposing items into cool shelves. Most of the time the project is as easy, and much more impressive, than putting up a generic, store-bought shelving kit.

Hardback Books

Awesome for the office, above a bedroom desk, or even in the kitchen/pantry area, old hardback books can be quickly set up as floating bookshelves for holding a stack of books on the wall or other goods like office supplies or herbs and spices.

This just requires a couple of size angle brackets, some screws (possibly) with anchors, and glue. The tools required are a drill and a level.

Driftwood/Branches

A beautiful piece of driftwood or a remarkable-looking branch can make an amazing showcase shelf, where the shelf is every bit the eye candy as whatever is on it. Wire brush, sand, and oil the driftwood/branch if you like, then simply bolt it onto the wall, preferably in some studs. Balance some candles, photos, or trinkets on top of it. Voila.

Old Drawers

Old drawers are perfect for repurposing projects, and that goes for making shelves, too. They can be turned vertically so that the bottom side makes a bottom shelf and the top side makes the top shelf. Some people even add extra shelves within the drawer.

Drawer shelves are great for holding a vase of flowers or showcasing some family photos. The recessed effect draws attention to whatever is inside the drawer.

Boxes/Crates

Boxes and crates can be hung on the wall to work as shelves, too. They are the same basic, boxy shape as an old drawer. Old soda pop crates are awesome for organizing small things for easy access: mail, keys, phones, etc.

Vintage Suitcases

Vintage suitcases are just one of those items that are fun to have around period. They are funky and stylish, and using them can be as simple as storing stuff inside and slipping the case under the bed. However, they make cool shelves, too, and the inside is perfect for secret storage items.

Pick up any cool vintage suitcase seen for cheap at the thrift store. They can be used to make coffee tables, end tables, and ottomans, too.

Scrap Wood

A knocked-around, beat-up piece of barn wood or scrap wood makes for a very intriguing shelf. It can be an attractive showcase piece in the living room or a rustic utilitarian shelf/hanger in the bathroom. Just find a bit of scrap wood you like—think about something nice and thick and scarred—clean it up and sand it. Then, bolt it to the wall.

Retired Ladders

There are several ways to convert a past-its-prime wooden step ladder into shelving. The steps that were meant to climb can be leaned against the wall and fastened in place so that each step is a shelf. The other side of the step ladder, used to Support it, can be hung and the sides used as shelving.

Iron Pipe

Salvaged pieces of iron pipe and fittings can be linked together to make cool free-standing shelving units, or the iron can be attached directly to the wall with a flange to make shelves a la towel racks. This can be a really cool bathroom feature to hold toiletries or it can make a nice spice rack as well.

It only takes everyday tools that most folks have, a tinge of imagination, and some want-to, and repurposed shelves could be sprucing up your house in no time. Why go with a boring flatpack when a repurposed shelf could be cheaper, cooler, and fun to create?

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

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!