Uses for Old Cabinets

Don't throw out old kitchen cabinets; they can still be useful in other areas of your home.

Updating a kitchen or bathroom is an exciting experience, but before you say goodbye to your old cabinets, see whether they have more life left in them. In an effort to save money and resources, you can find new uses for old junk. Old cabinets, for example, can be repurposed into a number of helpful storage solutions and unusual furniture pieces. So before you throw them out, see if your old cabinets will fill a need in another part of your home.

Garage Organizers

Garages have a way of collecting clutter, such as tools, sporting equipment, holiday decorations and other items. Install old cabinets in your garage to help organize and store the clutter and keep it off the garage floor. Since garages typically aren't the cleanest room in the house, old cabinets are a good storage solution since you won't be worried about the dings and smudges of dirt that are likely to occur.

Craft Storage

Just because you don't want your cabinets in their current location doesn't mean that they can't be used somewhere else in your home. Whether you're involved in sewing, scrapbooking or some other craft, chances are you have plenty of supplies that are difficult to keep organized. Add old cabinets to a spare bedroom or to the back of an unused closet to solve this problem. You can remove the doors for easy access, or keep them on to hide the clutter.

Unusual Furniture

Consider turning your old cabinet into an unusual piece of furniture for somewhere else in your home. Remove the cabinet door, and smooth out the top to create an open front nightstand or end table. You could also add a decorative stone or glass top to the cabinet for an extra bit of visual interest. The good thing about this project is that it can be customized to match your decor. Paint comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes, and there are many faux painting techniques that you can use to customize your piece.

New Kitchen Cabinets

In the spirit of saving money and resources, turn your old kitchen cabinets into your new kitchen cabinets. While some cabinets really are beyond repair, most can be reinvigorated with sanding, a new coat of stain or paint and updated hardware. These simple steps will make old cabinets feel new again for only a fraction of the cost.

References

• Peg's Place: New Uses for Old Kitchen Cabinets
• DIY Life: New Uses for Old Kitchen Cabinets