How to Recycle Shutters Into a Plant Stand

Don't throw those old window shutters away! Whatever their condition is, as long as the frames are intact, you can easily recycle them into decorative and attention-catching pedestals for your favorite houseplants. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to recycle your old window shutters into a decorative plant stand.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Wood shutters
• Scrap plywood or laminate flooring strips
• Screwdriver
• Staple gun
• Wood glue or all-purpose adhesive
• Masking tape
• Wood screws and finishing nails (optional)

1. Remove hardware from shutters. Remove all the hardware attached to the shutter panels.
2. Staple panels in place. Align the panels to form a pedestal. Use a staple gun to hold them in place.
3. Glue top and bottom plywood. Cut a piece of plywood, scrap wood or remnants from laminate flooring strips to fit the top and bottom ends of the pedestal. Glue them in place. You can add stability by driving screws to attach the plywood to the pedestal panels.
4. Tape trim until adhesive dries. If you wish to add a wood trim to hide the edges of the plywood, attach them with wood glue and tape in place until the adhesive dries.
5. Make two. Make as many plant stands as you desire.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish to glue the panels together, apply adhesive along the joints and staple (or temporarily tape up the edges) to keep them in place while the adhesive dries. You can also screw the panels together if you prefer.
• If you wish to repaint the shutters, do so after removing the hardware. Dab on some wood putty on the holes left by the hardware, and then brush on a few coats of paint for a smooth finish.
• When adding trim to hide the plywood edges, you can also use finishing nails. Consider using wood-texture veneer tape (the kind that you would use a flatiron to make stick).
• If you're electrically inclined, you can install a lighting fixture inside the planter. Most shutters allow some light to pass through; installing a light source will make your planter double as an attractive floor lamp.
• Do not put heavy flowerpots on plant pedestals which could potentially topple and cause injury or damage.