Clever Uses for Old Furniture 2013 Ideas By Farima Alavi

Check out these easy ways to repurpose old home furnishings before you decide to toss them out. From a ladder display shelf to cabinet mantel decor, you will find a way to repurpose many forgotten household items.

By Farima Alavi

Oversized, Vintage Message Board 

Don't turn your back on an old mattress. Hang a mattress spring on the wall for a one of a kind, oversized message board. Donna of Funky Junk Interiors cleaned the rust from the spring with a wire brush and treated it with a clear overcoat for a vintage look. Simple clothes pins hold up messages, and hangers keep other everyday items at hand.

Cottage Style Display Shelf 

When you think an item has no functionality, think again. Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room placed a small, brightly colored stepladder on the wall to function as a display shelf and eye pleaser. The weathered finish on the ladder paired with crisp white frames on the adjacent wall gives the room a classic cottage look.

Playful Kid's Dresser

If you don't like the look of an old dresser, update it with a bright color. Janell Beals of Isabella & Max Rooms painted a forgotten dresser with bright pinkish-red chalkboard paint for a playful look that works perfectly in a kid's room. The dresser allows kids to use their imaginations by drawing or writing anything they want on it, keeping the walls safe from any unexpected drawings.

Salvaged Home Office

This home office is filled with items from the junkyard. Sawhorses make up the legs of the desk, a wood pallet works as the desktop and an old ladder provides the framework. Donna used a garage storage unit and wood pallets as back support to create an industrial style shelving unit to maximize storage space. Fill the shelves with vintage-inspired objects to finish the rustic look.

Practical Antique

A piece of old, unused furniture can become functional again with a little creativity. This Hoosier cupboard, popular in the early 20th century, was sitting in a woodshop for years. With some refinishing and paint, Janell Beals turned it into a practical home office desk. The crisp white cupboard against the black walls makes it the focal point of the room. The cupboard drawers allow for an abundance of storage space, and the size of the cupboard provides plenty of room for office equipment. "The piece not only adds to the design of the room but holds great memories as well," she says. Hang framed memorabilia to add to the timeworn look.

No Damage Here

Damaged furniture doesn't have to be thrown away. Marian Parsons suggests hiding imperfections on furniture with decoupage. She used aged sheets of music to hide imperfections on this neglected dresser, while also giving the all white bedroom a shabby chic look. Other items great for decoupaging furniture are maps, book pages, letters and postcards. "The treatment will hide gouges, water marks, missing veneer and other signs of abuse on furniture," she says. Decoupaging furniture will also add dimension and distinct style to a room.

Bright, Bold Focal Point

Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is all a piece of furniture needs to breathe new life into a space. Melissa Michaels painted this once dull coffee table into an eye catching royal blue color. "The unexpected pop of color is a fun contrast to its otherwise traditional lines," she says. The bold color makes the table the focal point in this mostly neutral living room.

From Tired to Stylish

Even the smallest, most outdated items can be repurposed with a little love. Marian Parsons updated a tired wood frame with decoupage using aluminum foil, antiquing glaze and polyurethane spray. The gold finish gives the framed chalkboard a contemporary, stylish look that works great resting on a dresser or hanging on the wall.

Wallpaper Table

Turn to unexpected materials to freshen up old furniture. Will Taylor of Bright Bazaar used scraps of old wallpaper samples and some paint to transform this dining table into a work of art. The different patterns and colors make the table a versatile piece of furniture that fits any room and style.