How to repurpose old stuff

There are hundreds and thousands of ways to reuse old stuff. Examples can be found in magazines as well as individual sites on the web. Young House Love do-it-yourself remodelers turn an egg carton into a jewelry divider and glass apple juice bottles into flower vases. Trash2Treasure transforms an ordinary spice rack into a cool sorcerer’s apothecary kit. Yes, there is more than one way to use any household object. But the question for today is — can the discarded or broken find renewed purpose?

Martha Stewart Living says yes, featuring whimsical pieces that get a second chance to shine.

• Stacked-bench shelf — it’s just what it sounds like. Sturdy benches placed one on top of another to create an uncommon showcase piece.
• Lid-rack mail sorter — wooden pot-lids or dish-racks, for that matter, are ideal for holding letters and catalogues.
• File drawer – traditional wooden chests don’t adorn bedrooms as much as they used to, but they are perfect for organizing paperwork in a home office. Plus you’ve got a bench to sit on.
• Wooden-shutter wall organizer — don’t throw out the old shutters; convert them into dramatic wall accents that double as paper holders!

So get your creativity on. Repurpose those non-functioning objects into pieces that add story and function to the home or office.