20 Creative Ways To Use Old Furniture In Your Garden
Ever looked at your worn-out furniture and thought, ‘I should toss this’? Hold that thought! Old furniture can find new life right in your garden.
From planters to benches, these creative ideas will transform your outdoor space while saving money and reducing waste. Let’s explore some exciting ways to repurpose those forgotten pieces.
1. Turn a Dresser into a Tiered Planter
Remove the drawers from an old dresser and stack them at different heights. Fill with soil and your favorite flowers for a cascading display of colors.
Leaving some drawers partially open creates a whimsical, tumbling effect. Just remember to drill drainage holes in the bottom of each drawer!
2. Convert a Chair into a Flower Pot Stand
Got a wobbly chair nobody wants to sit in? Cut a hole in the seat just large enough for a pot to rest in without falling through.
Sand down rough edges and apply outdoor paint in a color that complements your garden. Wooden chairs work best, but metal ones can be stunning with the right treatment.
3. Use an Old Bed Frame as a Garden Trellis
Metal bed frames make spectacular supports for climbing plants. Simply anchor the frame securely in your garden soil and watch as morning glories, clematis, or beans transform it into a living wall.
For wooden frames, a coat of outdoor sealant will help protect against weather damage and extend its garden life.
4. Repurpose a Table as a Potting Bench
Why buy a new potting bench when that old kitchen table can serve perfectly? Add hooks underneath for hanging tools and install a small shelf above for extra storage.
Consider attaching a pegboard to the back for organizing smaller gardening implements. A coat of weather-resistant paint will keep it looking fresh for years.
5. Turn Drawers into Hanging Wall Planters
Salvaged drawers make charming vertical gardens when mounted on a fence or exterior wall. Line with landscape fabric before adding soil to prevent wood rot.
Vary the drawer sizes and hanging heights for visual interest. Shallow drawers work wonderfully for succulents, while deeper ones can accommodate herbs or annual flowers.
6. Make a Bench from a Broken Headboard
A headboard’s decorative elements create a stunning garden bench back. Attach it to a simple wooden bench seat, or use concrete blocks as supports for a rustic look.
Add weather-resistant cushions in bright colors for comfort and visual pop. Positioning your new bench under a tree creates a perfect reading nook in your outdoor sanctuary.
7. Create a Garden Sink from a Vanity
Breathe new life into an old bathroom vanity by converting it into an outdoor sink station. Keep the plumbing functional by connecting to a garden hose, or simply use the basin to hold plants.
A mirror above reflects light and creates the illusion of more space. Perfect for washing vegetables or rinsing garden tools after use!
8. Use a Crib Rail as a Vertical Garden
Mount an old crib rail to a fence or wall and attach small pots between the slats for an instant vertical herb garden. The uniform spacing between rails creates a perfectly organized display.
Small S-hooks can hold hanging planters for added dimension. Label each pot with decorative tags to identify your culinary herbs.
9. Build a Birdbath from a Chair Seat
Feathered friends will flock to a birdbath made from a chair seat mounted on a sturdy post. Seal the wood thoroughly and add a shallow bowl in the center to hold water.
Place near flowering plants to attract butterflies too. Positioning it where you can view it from a window brings wildlife-watching pleasure year-round.
10. Convert a Cabinet into Garden Tool Storage
Keep garden tools organized and protected from the elements in a repurposed cabinet. Add wheels to the bottom for mobility around your yard.
Install hooks inside doors for hanging smaller tools and use shelves for pots and supplies. A chalkboard panel on the door helps track planting schedules or garden to-do lists.
11. Use a Nightstand as a Mini Greenhouse Base
Place a clear plastic storage bin upside-down on top of a nightstand to create a charming mini greenhouse. Drawers below store seeds and gardening supplies.
Small potted seedlings thrive in this protected environment. During warm months, remove the cover and use the nightstand as a decorative plant display stand.
12. Repurpose a Bookshelf as a Herb Garden
Horizontal bookshelves make excellent tiered plant displays, while vertical ones create interesting depth in garden corners. Paint with outdoor paint in a bold color for a modern look.
Group herbs by watering needs on different shelves. Lower shelves can hold garden reference books protected in weatherproof containers for convenient outdoor reading.
13. Make a Wheelbarrow Planter from a Dresser Drawer
Attach decorative handles to the sides of a dresser drawer and add wheels to one end for a charming mini-wheelbarrow planter. Line with plastic before adding soil to extend its life.
Plant cascading flowers that will spill over the edges. When positioned near a garden path, this eye-catching display becomes a delightful focal point.
14. Turn an Old Door into a Garden Gate
Vintage doors make charming entrances to garden sections or vegetable patches. Mount on sturdy posts using heavy-duty hinges and add a simple latch.
Leave a window pane intact for a peek-through effect, or replace glass with chicken wire for climbing plants. Weathered paint adds character, but fresh color creates a cheerful welcome.
15. Use a Mirror Frame for a Living Wall
Remove the glass from an ornate mirror frame and attach chicken wire across the back. Hang on a fence or wall and tuck small potted plants or moss-filled pouches into the openings.
Gilded frames create striking contrast against green foliage. Mist regularly to keep plants happy, especially during hot weather when vertical gardens dry quickly.
16. Create a Fairy Garden in a Vintage Suitcase
Open a vintage suitcase, fill it with soil, and design a miniature landscape complete with tiny plants and whimsical accessories. Drill drainage holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
Add a small path made of pebbles and miniature furniture to create a magical scene. Children love helping design these enchanted gardens that spark imagination.
17. Build a Compost Bin from Old Wood Furniture
Salvage wood from broken furniture to construct a practical compost bin. Slat design allows for air circulation while containing materials.
Make one side removable for easy access when turning compost or harvesting finished material. Positioning near your vegetable garden provides convenient access to this garden gold for enriching soil.
18. Use a Vanity Mirror Frame for Climbing Vines
Mount a large vanity mirror frame on posts in your garden and watch as climbing plants create a living picture. Remove the mirror but keep the frame intact for this eye-catching trellis.
String fishing line across the frame in a grid pattern for plant support. Sweet peas, morning glories, or clematis transform this structure into a vertical garden masterpiece.
19. Make a Rustic Garden Sign from Table Parts
Fashion distinctive garden signs from table leaves or tops. Cut into smaller pieces and use wood-burning tools or outdoor paint to add plant names or inspirational quotes.
Mount on stakes for border markers or attach to fences for decoration. Adding a coat of clear sealant protects your handiwork from weather damage while preserving the wood’s natural character.
20. Repurpose a TV Cabinet into an Outdoor Bar
Convert an entertainment center into a garden bar for outdoor entertaining. Remove shelves to accommodate bottles and glassware, and add a fold-down panel for a serving area.
Waterproof with marine varnish for durability. Wheeled versions can be moved to follow shade or sunshine. Perfect for summer gatherings when refreshments need to be close at hand!
