30 Clever Ways to Reuse Old Shutters

Old shutters can often be found collecting dust in garages or hiding in thrift stores, waiting for a new life. With a little creativity, these charming, weathered pieces can be transformed into beautiful and useful items in your home and garden. Here are 30 clever ways to repurpose old shutters, blending functionality with aesthetics to breathe new life into these timeless structures.

1. Shutter Wall Art

Transform old shutters into a statement piece by using them as wall art. Sand them down, paint them in vibrant colors or a muted tone depending on your decor style, and mount them on your wall. You can arrange several in a cluster or scatter them for an eclectic look.

2. Headboard

Create a rustic or shabby chic headboard by anchoring shutters horizontally or vertically behind your bed. This can add instant character and a vintage vibe to your bedroom. You can paint them in soft hues or leave them natural for a more rustic feel.

3. Room Divider

Repurpose shutters as a room divider. By joining several together with hinges, you create a foldable screen that can separate spaces in an open-plan home or provide privacy without the need for construction.

4. Message Board

Old shutters can be repurposed into a message board. Attach clothespins to the slats to clip notes, photos, or reminders. You can keep it in your kitchen, home office, or hallway for a functional and charming notice board.

5. Vertical Garden

Embrace a green thumb by turning shutters into a vertical garden. Attach small pots to the slats and plant herbs or flowers. This is perfect for small spaces where garden space is limited or to add a touch of greenery indoors.

6. Shutter Table

Create a unique and rustic table by using a shutter as a tabletop. You can cut it to size if necessary and attach legs or a sturdy base. This project works well as a coffee table or side table, and adds an artistic touch to your living area.

7. Bookshelf

Convert a large shutter into a bookshelf by adding simple wooden planks as shelves. This can be mounted on the wall or leaned against it to store books, plants, or decorative items while maintaining a vintage, homey charm.

8. Planter Box Backdrop

Use a shutter as a backdrop for a planter box. This is an elegant way to bring character to your garden or porch. Attach the planter box directly to the shutter to create a cohesive and stylish look.

9. Jewelry Organizer

Repurpose a shutter into a jewelry organizer by adding hooks and knobs to hang necklaces and bracelets. The slats can hold earring cards, making this an attractive and functional way to keep your jewelry organized and accessible.

10. Coat Rack

A shutter can turn into a charming coat rack. Attach sturdy hooks onto the shutter slats and mount it by your entranceway or in a mudroom. It’s a practical way to make use of vertical space while contributing to a rustic decor theme.

11. Outdoor Privacy Screen

Create a privacy screen on your patio or balcony by linking shutters together. This helps in defining your outdoor space, providing a cozy nook shielded from prying eyes, and offering protection from the elements.

12. Window Display

Old shutters paired with a mirror make for a stunning window display indoors. Hang them as if they’re functional shutters flanking the mirror to give the illusion of a window, perfect for brightening a room and expanding your sense of space.

13. Bench Backrest

Shutters can be used as a backrest for a custom-built bench. Their height and width are perfect for converting simple seating into an eye-catching piece of furniture, ideal for gardens or open hallways.

14. Photo Frame

Enhance your memory wall by turning a shutter into a photo frame. Secure photos between the slats or add small clips or pegs to create a casual but stylish display.

15. Craft Supply Organizer

Keep art and craft supplies tidy by recycling a shutter into an organizer. Add small baskets or attach mason jars to hold brushes, pens, and other supplies, so everything stays easy to find and ready to use.

16. Wine Rack

Transform shutters into a rustic wine rack by adding horizontal supports to hold wine bottles securely. The slats are perfect for an airy design that keeps your wine collection accessible.

17. Hall Tree

A hall tree using a shutter involves modifying it with a bench seat, hooks, and small storage cubbies. It’s a multipurpose piece perfect for entryways, combining a coat rack, seat, and storage in one.

18. Shutter Clock

Turn an old shutter into a decorative wall clock. Use a large clock kit to affix hands in the center, and paint numerals directly onto the wood for a custom timepiece that’s both functional and stylish.

19. Plant Stand

Elevate your favorite plants by converting shutters into an airy plant stand. Simply stack plant pots on each level of a directed shutter or affix small shelves to create a tiered effect.

20. Hanging Bed Canopy

Create a romantic atmosphere in the bedroom by hanging shutters vertically above the bed as a faux canopy. Drape lightweight curtains to complete the look, adding a touch of vintage elegance.

21. Accessory Shelf

Add small shelves to an old shutter to create an accessory shelf. This can be used to display perfumes, hats, or other décor items, turning a simple wall space into a delightful showcase.

22. Patio Tabletop

Revamp a balcony or porch by using shutters as a tabletop. They can be laid atop an existing table frame or set on sturdy legs for a standalone look that exudes rustic charm.

23. Fireplace Screen

Shutters make a wonderful decorative fireplace screen. You can arrange several together in front of an unused fireplace for a stylish cover-up, or incorporate fire-safe materials for a functional screen.

24. Towel Rack

In the bathroom, a shutter can be transformed into a towel rack. The slats are ideal for holding towels or add decorative hooks for larger capacity.

25. Upcycled Mirror Frame

Replace the center panels of a shuttered window with mirrors to create an upcycled mirror frame. It’s an effortless way to expand a room visually and add a chic touch to your decor.

26. Potting Bench

Craft a potting bench for your garden by using a shutter as the main backdrop. Include shelves and hooks to hold gardening tools and supplies, cultivating a delightful space for your planting needs.

27. Entryway Command Center

An old shutter can act as the hub of organization in your entryway. Add hooks for keys, baskets for mail, and a chalkboard for notes to keep your busy life running smoothly.

28. Nightstand

Craft a unique nightstand by affixing a shutter to a sturdy frame and adding shelving or drawers as needed. Its slim design is ideal for tight spaces, and it offers functional surface area beside the bed.

29. Room Accent Panel

Enhance a plain wall with a shutter accent panel. Paint or stain them to complement your color scheme, then attach them in a pattern that adds texture and interest to your environment.

30. Holiday Decor

During festive seasons, shutters can take on celebratory roles. Decorate them with wreaths, strings of lights, or holiday cards. They provide a rustic backdrop that enhances the charm and joy of any holiday celebration.

Conclusion

The charm and versatility of old shutters make them a favorite for creative DIY enthusiasts and interior decorators alike. By envisioning new uses for these previously overlooked architectural details, you’re not only saving them from the landfill but also enriching your home with elements of history and personality. The next time you come across an old shutter, remember that its potential is limited only by your imagination. Whether repurposed as functional household items or transformed into aesthetic enhancements, old shutters offer endless possibilities to anyone ready to pick up a paintbrush or screwdriver. Enjoy the process of this soulful upcycling journey, breathing new life into these storied, enduring pieces.