We are such a fan of repurposed furniture projects. Not only do you create something that is unique and custom for you, but you are also helping the environment by upcycling something that already exists. Here is a list of 31 repurposed & upcycled furniture projects to help you inspire your next project.

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What is repurposed furniture?
Repurposed furniture is when you redo or makeover a current furniture item to either have a new purpose or just a new look. Dressers can become chairs or you can give a whole new look to a desk with new materials. Furniture makeovers are such a great way to make you love your home…
And that is why we are all here!
Hopefully, this post will make you rethink the next time you just want to throw something out or you will look twice at that item at the end of the driveway.
Where can you get furniture for furniture makeovers or repurposed furniture projects?
- Buy-Sell-Trade Groups on Facebook (We have a post to help you learn Facebook lingo and abbreviations…ppu anyone?)
- Craigslist
- Driving around on trash day (especially in more affluent neighborhoods)
- Taking those hand-me-downs from relatives even if you are not sure you have a purpose yet
- Thrift Stores
- Salvage shops/Antique Stores: One of our local favorites has a “barn” room where things may be broken or need lots of love, but you can score them for cheap!
- ReStores: Not only are you helping Habitat for Humanity, but you can find some really great pieces of furniture
So once you have the items, how do you make old furniture look new?
- Add a fresh coat of paint (chalk paint, spray paint, any paint)
- Change out the hardware
- Add wheels
- Give the furniture a new purpose
- Put two pieces together
- Contact paper can work wonders (See 12 Clever Contact Paper Projects)
- Create a different finish
- Don’t be scared to take apart and use different pieces and parts
- Reupholstering can be your best friend
- Add fun accessories to a piece of furniture
- Use rope or other craft supplies to repurpose an item
- Add circuit lettering and designs
- Handpaint or draw designs
Upcycled & Repurposed Furniture Ideas
Isn't it great when you can take something old and turn it into something modern for your home? Here are 31 repurposed and upcycled DIY projects that will inspire you to turn trash into treasure.
DIY Repurposed Dresser Ideas
From turning a dresser into a chair to just refinishing what you already have. We love these ideas of how to upcycle your old dresser into something new.
Redo An Old Entertainment Cabinet
Do you know what this dress-up storage was made from? Yes, this is a repurposed tv cabinet that was found for free at the end of a driveway. It is amazing how organized your children can be when they have a place to put and hang things.
Upcycle An Old Dresser
What? Did you know you can turn an old dresser into a chair and ottoman? This is an awesome way to think outside of the box and totally upcycle that old dresser sitting in your garage for under $50.
DIY Midcentury Modern Dresser Makeover
This midcentury modern dresser was beautiful before this makeover. This two-toned look was created using gel stain and a DIY chalk recipe. We even naturally cleaned the brass hardware to give it a new shine.
DIY Dresser to Hamper Project
No one likes see that hamper overflowing in the corner of your room. This is a brilliant way to repurpose a dresser if you ask us. THough, be warned this DIY dresser project is not the easiest to make, but sometimes those are the most rewarding and custom projects.
Create DIY Wedding Anniversary Decorations
Use old wine bottles and repurpose them into a fun DIY photo holder. This is such an easy and inexpensive party decor idea.
Use DIY Chalk Paint
Here is that DIY chalk paint recipe using Plaster of Paris we keep talking about. It is such a great way to reuse old paint samples and easily repurpose furniture pieces.
Small Cabinet Makeover
This unique rustic cabinet was redone using a crackle medium to store craft supplies easily.
Ombré Dresser
This ombre dresser was created using...
a DIY chalk paint recipe (how did you guess)? We love this ombre dresser in our children's nursery. It was a great way to repurpose a mid-century modern dresser with a completely different feel.
Repurposed Table Ideas
Just like old dressers, there are so many different ways to upcycle an old table. We love the variety in these projects.
Simple Wine Bar
Who doesn't love a fun wine display when hosting a party. This cute wine bar is perfect for that small corner or outdoor space. We love how this old tv tray was repurposed into something that will get a lot of use when entertaining.
Repurpose a Vintage Sewing Machine
You can't buy iron legs like this anymore. Being creative with an old sewing cabinet and adding a new top created this awesome repurposed table. Such a fun and creative way to get a new table out of an old sewing machine cabinet.
Use Barn Board
We are a sucker for hairpin legs. They not only help you repurpose something into a functional piece of furniture, but they totally can go with any decor style. This console table is to die for with the rustic barn board top.
DIY Art Table
This DIY art table was done by taking an old coffee table and adding fun art accessories, like a cute paper roll holder. We love that there is a place to store all of your children's art supplies and that the organization is made easier with chalkboard labels.
Chalkboard table top
Have an old table that really needs to be updated? This tabletop was easily repurposed using chalkboard paint and is such an eclectic way to add a fun home decor item to your space. If you want a more permanent design, consider using watered-down acrylic white paint or chalk markers.
Repurposed DIY Home Decor Items
There are so many ways to completely transform tires, old trays and drawers to add to any home decor style.
Upcycled Chairs
These chairs in this homeschool room were taken from garage sale finds to fun and eclectic chalk-painted chairs. Using DIY chalk paint with plaster of Paris and reupholstering the seats, gave these old chairs a brand new look.
Farmhouse Ladder
You honestly won't believe how simple this farmhouse ladder idea is. This upcycled ladder created from an old serving TV tray. We just love how one person's junk can be redone to create a treasure.
Vintage Suitcase Chair
Don't throw away that old suitcase! You can repurpose it to make this funky chair. We can even see a set of these be fun in a kid's bedroom or playroom.
Unique Pipe Lamp
This industrial lamp is such a fun way to use pipes and other materials to create something that you can't even buy. It is awesome when DIY projects create such a special home decor item. P.S. We love all the tips provided in this tutorial Who would have to know that finishing paste is a way to not allow pipes to rust over time.
Repurposed Tire
We have said it before, but we love when DIY projects are good for the environment. By using an old tire for this ottoman base, you are saving just one more from going to a landfill. A win, win in our book. Not to mention you get this amazing repurposed ottoman for a fraction of what you pay for a new one.
Repurpose A Tabletop
Don't buy that expensive rustic clock when you can make you make one from an old tabletop. Paint and stain to match your decor style and add these inexpensive clock spades.
Use Old Pallets
You can't have a repurposed furniture post without involving some pallet wood. This crate was created out of old pallet wood and adding casters made it a great piece to help keep our family organized.
How to Make a Vase Look Old
Sometimes you want something new to look old. And this is the perfect repurposing project for you. Not to mention the spray paint used makes it a pretty simple DIY project. Love your new "old" vase!
DIY File Cabinet Makeover
The finished file cabinet redid this old compressed file cabinet using contact paper and spray paint. The finished repurposed file cabinet looks nothing like the original piece and we can't believe how inexpensive it was to complete.
Upcycle Old Doors
Man have we thrown out some old doors when we have updated our homes. Now I wish we had saved them to create a fun storage box idea that rolls.
Redo That Old Fishbowl
Repurpose that old fishbowl or vase using nautical rope to achieve this modern vase for your home.
Upcycled Tray Project
Give a tray a new life by upcycling with matte paint (we love this darker color from the Magnolia line) and adding new hardware. We think you could even pull this DIY tray off with an old dresser drawer if you are feeling adventurous.
Repurposed Planters
Use those mismatched ceramic and household items to create one-of-kind planters.
Easy DIY Marbled Pots
Repurpose those old terra-cotta pots using this awesome spray paint technique. No one will believe how cheaply you were able to create this faux marble finish.
DIY Repurposed Cooler Planter
We are always looking for a fun way to display and grow our plants and never would have thought to use an old cooler as a planter. Just make sure you drill holes in the bottom to make sure your planter can drain properly.
Other Awesome Repurposed Furniture Ideas
These DIY projects are just more examples of how you can redo old things into awesomeness!
Repurposed Piano
We didn't even realize this was a piano at first. This is such a genius way to repurpose a piano into a piece of furniture you will use! We are amazed at some of the restoring techniques. Who would have thought to use a syringe to help get the wood veneer restored in this DIY bar. Cedar gel stain completed this awesome look. We think this repurposed furniture idea was well worth all the hard work.
Spray Paint Old Furniture
Teal spray did a wonderful job repurposing this metal tanker desk. The most unique part of this DIY furniture update is the cloth and glass desktop to help cover up the old and beat-up desktop.
DIY Playhouse Makeover
You have to see the after of this Little Tikes playhouse makeover. We experimented with a variety of ways to paint plastic outdoor toys and think we found the best way!
Reuse A Shelf
If you don't want to build new garden boxes (like our cedar raised boxes that we love), then this garden hack is a great way to upcycle that old cube shelf you have. Easily create a one-of-kind raised garden box.
Related Reading
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We hope these repurposed furniture projects will have you rethinking that “trash”! You can always repurpose or upcycle it into a brand-new home decor item.