With the downturn in the economy, many people have been catching on to the idea of repurposing. Repurposing is taking something you no longer use or would throw out and change it slightly to give it a new purpose. Repurposing has come a long way from the times when you used a milk crate as an extra seat back in your college days. Repurposed items can be both functional and beautiful; often all you need is a coat of paint and a spark of creativity. It’s great for your wallet and for the environment.
Here are some ideas to get you thinking about what you can repurpose in your own home, from the simple to the more complex.
Mason Jars
Almost everyone has mason jars lying around your house. Instead of recycling them or throwing them in the garbage, make them useful. They can be used to store dry goods like rice and pasta, and are a great way of keeping loose bags of spices organized. For a soft glow at an alfresco dinner, add some tea lights. For a dinner party, instead of having one large center piece, use them as mini vases, fill them with a few flower stems and place them along the table.
Skateboard
If you have a boy in the house then chances are you have a skateboard or two lying around.If they are too worn out to be used on the
streets, add some pizzazz to their bedrooms buy turning the skateboard into a shelf. All that’s needed is to remove the wheels and add some wall brackets.
Silk Scarves
Many women have a bunch of silk scarves in their closets. If yours are tucked away and you haven’t worn them in a while, make them unique pieces of art. Measure the approximate size of your scarves and then pick up some inexpensive frames that match the scarf size at a department or craft store. Simply pop a scarf into a frame. Make sure to smooth out all of the wrinkles beforehand. Using a picture hanging kit, hang them up in your home. Be creative, mix up colours and patterns.
Step Ladder
Do you have an old wooden step ladder gaining cobwebs in your garage? Clean it up and move it next to the bath vanity cabinet. The 
rungs can be used to hang decorative towels, and the steps can hold soaps, bath salts, scented candles and other accruements that add to a relaxing bath. Make sure to sand the step ladder well and add a fresh coat of paint in a complimentary or accent color.
Filing Cabinet
Only the largest kitchens have enough counter and storage space. An old filing cabinet can be used to make a beautiful and functional rolling kitchen cart. The top of the counter functions as an extra cutting board and work surface and the cabinets function as extra storage space for pantry items, extra dishes etc. An added bonus of using a file cabinet is that it typically has a lock, so if you have little ones running around the house, you can lock away the cleaning chemicals and other hazardous products. This project requires a bit more work than the others mentioned in this article, but the end effort is worth it. Check out the full instructions here.
Hopefully these repurposed ideas have inspired you to come up with your own DIY project reusing what you already have. Good luck!
My name is Vanessa and I am the writer of today’s guest post. When I’m not working for PartSelect.com I’m repurposing old items to decorate my new condo.
Photo Credits
Mason Jar
Skateboard
Ladder
Scarf
Cabinet
Tags: bath vanity cabinet, Do it yourself, Home and Garden, recycle, repurpose, Reuse