Fun Stuff to Make with Broken Household Items

Whether the trend is in or on life Support, it’s inarguable that repurposing and upcycling can be a fun and fruitful way of doing a little something positive for the planet. Rather than rushing old or broken items to the overstuffed landfill, we could keep them around for longer and make imaginative things that’ll brighten our lives (and the lives of others).

Sometimes things inevitably break. Dishes crack. Handles give way. The doors come off. Window panes shatter. Motors burn up. Legs splinter. Things simply deteriorate and get too old to be what they once were. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t be reborn anew into something exciting and fun. Those moments are the perfect time to repurpose.

Of course, if items can be repaired and live on, that’s always a great consideration. However, when it’s time to move on to a replacement, that’s also when some fun new projects can come about. These are some items that can be fun to make for your own home or to possibly sell for a bit of spending money.

Table Leg & Fan Blades = Dragonfly

One habit that repurposing enthusiasts and crafters develop is recognizing stuff that can become useful later. Table legs and fan blades are just these types of things, and together they can make a wonderful bit of décor. A table leg from a broken table makes an awesome dragonfly body, and blades from a turned-out fan make fabulous wings. Add some other flourishes and hang it up on the shed wall or the kid’s room.

Crack Tea Cup & Saucer = Birdfeeder

Birdfeeders are an exciting addition next to the porch or kitchen window, and there are tons of ways to repurpose things to make DIY birdfeeders. A favorite is using a broken tea cup and saucer. The teacup is glued on its side so that the birdseed “spills” out of it onto the saucer. The birds can flitter in and land on the rim of the saucer to get a snack.

Old Ladder = Bookshelf

Using a broken or shaky ladder is no good. One tumble could put a DIYer out of commission for a few months. Rather than risking it, when the old ladder starts to feel unreliable, it can be used for repurposing glory. The stepping side of the ladder leaned against the wall makes a great set of shelves that can work as a kitschy bookshelf. A short ladder can become a funky nightstand.

Broken Chair = Outdoor Swing

One of the more common household accidents is the snapping of a chair leg. The remaining legs can be saved for later projects, and the chair can be converted into a fun new seating option. Drilling four holes in the chair bottom and hanging it like a swing is a cool way to sit in the garden or on the porch.

Broken Hard Rake = Wall-Mounted Holder

Handles on garden tools break now and again, and truth be known, those handles are easy (and much less expensive) to replace. That said, sometimes we run across (figuratively speaking) old garden tools, such as the heads of hard rakes. Mounted on the wall, these make awesome holders for coats and hats or kitchen utensils.

Surviving Drawer = Under Bed Storage / Shadow Box

Whether it’s an end table, dresser, or entertainment center, when larger pieces of furniture break, they often leave in their wake a drawer or two to play with. Drawers are awesome for repurposing. One great idea is attaching some wheels to the bottom of the drawer and using it as under-bed storage. Another fun project is making shadow boxes to hang on the wall to store ornaments or books or whatever.

Old-School Suitcase = Table w/ Storage

Old, hardcase suitcases often have nice brass corners, patterned covers, and lots of personality. However, those heavy bags have become a bit impractical for carrying around (and taking on flights). They make cool tables. Just use some of those old legs stowed away or bought at a thrift store. The inside can be used for hideaway storage.

Just because things break doesn’t mean we have to trash them. They can be transformed into things we once again treasure. Plus, these are the sorts of projects that can be rewarding and relaxing.

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• Things You Need To Stop Throwing Away That Can Be Repurposed
• 10 Materials That Can Be Repurposed for Landscaping

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