Unusual use for second hand item?

**crdurham** · 11-14-2006, 09:24 PM

A lady was at my house the other day and she commented on a few things that I have that are "made" for one thing but I use them for something else... like I use a fireplace stand that I painted red for a umbella stand and I have a coal pot (I got in the same auction lot) that I painted and use for magazines. I have my cooking utensils in a old crock pot on the counter. I think its neat to see what I can use stuff for...

What are some things that you have gotten second hand and used them for something different than they were made for?

**nuisance26** · 11-15-2006, 08:41 AM

~I'm using a trunk for a tv stand, A milk bottle carrier for holding my kitchen utensils, A plant stand for an end table, A school desk and small trunk for a computer stand, a minivan 'pew' for a bench in my sunroom, tablecloths for curtains, garment/coat rack for air-drying clothes, a pretty ceramic recipe box to hold my tea bags, and probably a thousand other things. My house is still furnished in a temporary style. Being cheap does require a bit more creativity.~

**Katybird** · 11-15-2006, 12:23 PM

I love both of your creativity!

Your homes sound really cute.

**danni** · 11-15-2006, 01:18 PM

I have a stool that I use for and end table, an old steamer trunk that is used for a coffe table, a big round plastic laundry tub that is used for a toy box, another laundry tub is beside the bathtub for clean towels, a wood toolbox that I use for my current crafts, another toolbox is used as a plant stand, wooden salad bowl we use as a catchall on top of the microwave, and an old toilet that sits outside the front door is filled with petunias and other flowers.

**Early Bird** · 11-15-2006, 06:38 PM

Not particularly creative, but I buy nice sleeveless knit tops ... and use them instead of thermal underware in winter.

**Mamaw** · 12-13-2006, 08:28 PM

Old rubber boots as plant containers in the yard are cute
Tool boxes to hold craft supplies
Cat litter buckets to hold yard tools to cart around with me

**favesis37** · 12-14-2006, 07:41 AM

i took an old wagon and tipped it on it's side, i use it for a planter, a old bucket became a planter, a old white and red enamil pan is what i use for the napkins on my table,

**YankeeMom** · 12-14-2006, 08:05 AM

I used cat litter buckets for my container garden last summer. Old coffee mugs for decoration (and to hold small things) in my kitchen. And old enamal pot filled with seasonal things as the centerpiece for my table.

I know there are other things, but I can't think of them pre-coffee...

**thriftstorequeen** · 12-14-2006, 03:17 PM

I'm using a old pedal singer sewing machine for a computer desk; an old woodeen crate with a trunk from the military on top as an end table, and a microwave cart for a tv stand.That's all I can think of right now.

**Bethany** · 12-14-2006, 04:06 PM

We use a beautiful, old wooden small ladder in our living room as a shelf. We get tons of compliments on it!

**favesis37** · 12-14-2006, 05:09 PM

oh i forgot, i have a ladder in my living room i use for a quilt rack

**acidcookie** · 01-10-2007, 12:51 PM

Mine are more thrifty things to save money, I guess, but re-using all the same. I'm using one of those little clementine oranges crates from the grocery store to hold toilet paper and essentials in our guest bathroom. I bought a cheap set of plain drinking glasses to serve as holders for my toothbrush, q-tips, and cotton balls in my bathroom.

I cut the top out of a special edition Dr. Pepper can to serve as a pencil/pen holder.

I'm using my old computer case to boost our TV on its table so it's not lower than the couch arm. A copy paper box serves as a storage file for my research articles.

I also turned an old USPS box into a takeout menu holder, but that's really more of a crafts thing. That's all I can think of.

**frugalfoster** · 01-10-2007, 04:19 PM

I think that the coolest thing that I have reused for a different purpose is that my ds and my dh worked on an old wooden oak sled that had been mine as a kid and made a hanging wine glass rack out of it. We use it at our mountain cabin.....people always comment on it. It always makes me smile when I look at it. I got the idea from the tightwad gazette and I have never seen another one like it.

**lohrewok** · 01-10-2007, 06:24 PM

I have an old ladder I picked up out of someone's trash. I whitewashed it and leaned it against the wall in the bathroom to hold magazines. The freakin cat just barfed again. Great.

**acidcookie** · 01-10-2007, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfoster

I think that the coolest thing that I have reused for a different purpose is that my ds and my dh worked on an old wooden oak sled that had been mine as a kid and made a hanging wine glass rack out of it. We use it at our mountain cabin.....people always comment on it. It always makes me smile when I look at it. I got the idea from the tightwad gazette and I have never seen another one like it.

TOTALLY off-topic, but I keep seeing "DH" ... what's it mean?