23 January 2022

New Uses for a Broken Shelf

Hey guys, thanks for dropping by today!

You may have heard the line, "One person's trash is another person's treasure." Sometimes you may have to really look at the trash pile to find that treasure.   

treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture

For me, the treasure here is the wooden shelf. It's clearly broken, the shelves missing. 

leaning ladder, storage for throws and blankets, treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture

But if you pull it aside, can you see its potential? It's a free-standing ladder!

With some images from Pinterest, here's how I would transform it from "blah to TADA!":
 

leaning ladder, storage for throws and blankets, treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture
via awedbymonica

I would turn it into a leaning shelf to keep throws and blankets tidy.

leaning ladder, storage for accessories, treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture
via urban outfitters

I can use it to display accessories like hats, bags, and scarves.

kitchen storage, storage for pots and pans, storage for kitchen utensils, treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture
via Pinterest

I can mount it on the kitchen wall and use it to hang not-too-heavy pots, pans and other cooking utensils.

rack for drying herbs, rack for drying flowers, fresh herbs, leaning ladder, treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture
via Pinterest

I can use it to dry herbs and flowers.
Or hang some small potted plants using hooks.

hanging ladder, storage for potted plants, how to display hanging plants, treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture
via Pinterest

By bolting it to the ceiling, it gives a room character and an additional place to hang macrame planters.

bathroom decor, bathroom design ideas, plants in bathroom,hanging ladder, storage for potted plants, how to display hanging plants, treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture
via Pinterest

How about a greenery chandelier in the bathroom?

hanging ladder, how to display hanging light fixture, DIY chandelier, overhead lamp with edison bulb, treasures from the trash, broken shelf, furniture DIY, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture
via Pinterest

For the outdoors, I'm totally loving this DIY light fixture.

reading nook, reading nook sketch, leaning ladder, DIY storage solution, interior design ideas for a reading corner, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture

reading nook, reading nook sketch, leaning ladder, DIY storage solution, interior design ideas for a reading corner, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, upcycle, recycle, repurpose furniture

How about this idea that I sketched out: a lighting and storage solution that's perfect for a reading nook. The top rung of the ladder is outfitted with a plug-in overhead light with Edison bulb. One rung is transformed into a shelf for paperbacks and a small plant. Another rung is a place to hang a favorite throw. Just add a chair and it's ready for cozy afternoons and evenings...TADA!

Before you get rid of your furniture, find a few ways to turn them from "blah to TADA!" But if you really must, please do so responsibly. To keep them out of the landfill and help those in need, donate them to charity: Salvation Army, Goodwill, Housing Works, Habitat for Humanity ReStore or at a thrift shop in your town. Consider selling them on Craigslist, Facebook Market Place or share on a Buy Nothing group.

Want more "blah to TADA" posts in your inbox? Subscribe here. 

Crafted by

2 comments:

  1. Priscilla BettisJanuary 24, 2022 at 5:46 AM

    I like the idea that you sketched out, Claire. We are in the midst of a move right now, and we have donated furniture to Goodwill, passed along to friends with growing teens, and sold for cheap on Craigslist. Like you said, we don't need more used furniture in our landfills!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are very much appreciated!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)