Best DIY Projects: Repurposed Furniture, Decor, and Storage
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If you love a good before-and-after, you are in the right place. This roundup pulls together some of the best DIY projects on My Repurposed Life, the ones readers keep coming back to for repurposed furniture, simple decor upgrades, and innovative storage ideas. A few are newer, some are old favorites, but each proves the same thing. The best projects do not start at the store; they begin with what you already have.
Tip: Click any photo to pin the image that leads directly to that project.
Repair, Refresh Broken Wind Chimes
A sad, tangled set of wind chimes gets a second chance. This makeover focuses on preserving what you already have and restoring the porch’s aesthetic with a fresh, clean look using spray paint and scrap wood pieces.
20 Repurposed Window Projects
If you have ever dragged home an old window and thought, “Now what?”, this is for you. It’s a big bundle of creative window ideas that turn a basic frame into decor with real personality.
No Drill Closet Shelves (Renters + Campers)
Tiny closets can be so frustrating. This project shows a simple way to add functional shelf space without turning your closet into a construction zone, perfect for renters, campers, or anyone who needs storage fast. This is a temporary solution that can be used permanently.
Between the Studs Broom Closet
This is one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” projects. It uses the hidden wall space to create a tall, narrow storage area that keeps awkward cleaning tools tucked away yet easy to grab. This is also an excellent solution for your health and beauty aids. Some of the best DIY projects can come about unexpectedly.
Wooden Spindle Project Ideas
If you have a stash of spindles, chair parts, or porch balusters, you are sitting on a gold mine. This roundup is packed with ideas that turn those skinny wooden pieces into practical, good-looking projects.
Easy Shadow Box from a Picture Frame
A plain thrift store picture frame becomes a cute little display space for small treasures. It’s a simple way to add storage and charm, and it works with all kinds of styles, depending on what you put inside and which orientation you choose for hanging. While you’re visiting this article, be sure to check out the rest of the awesome shadow boxes I’ve made.
Vintage Magazine Rack Upcycle
That old magazine rack is not just for magazines. This is one of the best DIY projects because it takes a simple thrift-store find and turns it into a handy organizer for just about any room. Additionally, I share 30 ways to use it so you have plenty of ideas beyond holding magazines.
Easy Painted Sewing Table Makeover
A worn-out sewing table gets a total glow-up with paint and a refreshed top. The after has that clean, classic look that makes you forget how tired and scratched it was at the start. The original hardware is a bonus surprise! This easy sewing table makeover is a definite favorite on social media. This makeover and the plant stand below are two of my favorites from this past year.
Paint a Metal Plant Stand with Bold Colors
This vintage metal stand went from dull and forgotten to bright and happy. The bold color makeover turns it into a fun, versatile piece that works indoors or outdoors and makes your plants look even better.
Dollar Store Basket Solar Light
This one is a budget-friendly favorite for a reason. A basic basket and a few simple add-ons can be turned into a hanging outdoor light that adds glow and sparkle at minimal cost.
Small Church Pew Makeover
This sweet little pew had been through a lot, and the before definitely shows it. But that’s precisely why it’s one of my best DIY projects. The makeover brings the old pew back to life so it feels special again, the kind of piece that earns its spot in a room.
DIY Kitchen Island from a Sewing Cabinet
A dated sewing cabinet gets repurposed into a hard-working kitchen piece. The after is a compact island that adds storage and prep space while still looking like it belongs in the kitchen.
Before we wrap up, I wanted to add a few of my own personal favorites. These did not land on the most visited readers list, but they are projects I still think about, the kind that were especially fun to make or turned out even better than I expected. If you missed them the first time, here are a few that deserve a little extra love. If you would like to share them on Pinterest, click the image.
Gingerbread Village Using Dollar Store Christmas Houses
Those bright little village houses were cute, but they were not my style. With a gingerbread twist, the whole set becomes a cozy, candy-inspired display that looks custom and high-end without buying an entire new Gingerbread Village.
Salvaged Jewelry Suncatchers
This is one of those projects that makes you smile every time the sun hits it. Old jewelry and glass scraps become sparkling outdoor decor that adds color, shine, and a little bit of magic to a porch or garden. See the full tutorial for my favorite Salvaged Jewelry Suncatchers.
Floral Decoupaged Side Table
This Floral Decoupage Side Table started rough, the kind that makes you wonder if it is even worth saving. The after is all charm, with a floral finish that makes it a sweet statement piece rather than a sad thrift-store find.
Boho Farmhouse Wicker Basket
A plain wicker basket gets a cozy boho farmhouse upgrade that makes it look styled, not just stored. It ends up being the kind of basket you actually want to leave out on a shelf or table.
Antique Dresser Makeover
This antique dresser had great bones, but it needed a refresh to bring out its beauty. It’s one of my best DIY projects because the makeover preserves the classic character while giving it a cleaner, brighter look, and the triple mirror becomes the star again.
Faux Birdhouse Garden Decor
This faux birdhouse garden decor is full of personality. Scrap wood is turned into a rustic faux birdhouse that adds height and charm to planters, porches, and flower beds without being functional for actual birds.
Art Deco Vanity
An old vanity gets a second life as a cute, functional desk. The after keeps the Art Deco style but makes it work for everyday use, perfect for a small space that needs both pretty and practical.
Three-Tiered Table Plant Stand
This three-tiered table was ready for a new job. The after makes it a perfect plant stand, giving you vertical space for greenery while adding a fun, layered look to a corner, porch, or sunroom. The story behind this antique table is very personal for me.
That was a fun walk down memory lane. If you clicked a few you missed, I hope it sent you down a happy little rabbit hole of ideas. Please tell me which project was your favorite and whether there is anything you would like to see more of in 2026. I’m already dreaming up the next round of before and afters.
If you’re in a hurry, each of the images in this article is pinnable, so you can find your favorite project when the inspiration hits you.
