Design & DIY

13 ways to repurpose old cottage appliances

Published: June 17, 2016 Updated: June 17, 2022
Turn an old fridge into a dockside cooler
Turn an old fridge into a dockside cooler

Just because your fridge no longer runs, doesn’t mean that it can’t still keep your bevvies cool. Instructions here.

Make a washing machine drum into a fire pit
Make a washing machine drum into a fire pit

There are a dozen uses for old washing machine drums, but this one is possibly the most cottage-worthy. The holes in the drum are perfect for allowing your fire to breathe—and keeping you toasty.

Turn an old blender into a bedside lamp
Turn an old blender into a bedside lamp

An easy starter project for those new to repurposing appliances, this blender light will lend an interesting glow to your bedroom or kitchen.

Plant a terrarium in an old coffee pot
Plant a terrarium in an old coffee pot

Turn something strictly functional into something strictly beautiful with this terrarium tutorial.

Repurpose your old television set as a liquor cabinet
Repurpose your old television set as a liquor cabinet

With this liquor cabinet, your ancient TV set will continue to bring you hours of entertainment—no electricity required.

Convert an old television into a fish tank
Convert an old television into a fish tank

However, if you need more family-friendly entertainment, you can also repurpose your television as a fish tank. These instructions made it swimmingly easy.

Convert an old refrigerator door into a pantry shelf
Convert an old refrigerator door into a pantry shelf

After all, fridge doors were designed to hold food. Although this works with any fridge, these upcycled shelves look best when you use retro doors.

Make a patio cart from an old barbecue
Make a patio cart from an old barbecue

Especially if the wheels are still functional, your old gas grill is the perfect place to store gardening equipment or food and drink during parties.

Turn your old grill into a planter
Turn your old grill into a planter

With old appliances kicking around, there’s no need to buy pots. Your faulty charcoal grill makes a perfect and—if done right—pretty planter.

Transform an old filing cabinet into garage storage
Transform an old filing cabinet into garage storage

It may not be an appliance, but a filing cabinet is still hard to get rid of. Instead of junking it, use it to file away the other things cluttering up your life, such as yard tools.

Turn a bathtub into a couch
Turn a bathtub into a couch

Again, it’s not an appliance, but old bathtubs can still be given a new lease on life. Our favourite option is to use the tub as a comfy upcycled sofa, as demonstrated in this tutorial.

Bury an old chest freezer for a pest-proof root cellar
Bury an old chest freezer for a pest-proof root cellar

Need a spot to store onions, potatoes, and root vegetables? Dig a hole in your yard for your old chest freezer and you’ll have a built-in root cellar—one that’s guaranteed to keep the mice and racoons out, and to keep your vegetables fresh.

Turn old car wheels into a fire pit and grill
Turn old car wheels into a fire pit and grill

Before your take your car to the scrapyard, check to see if there are any parts that you can use. As an example, this fire pit and grill is made of recycled car rims.

Whether you’ve decided to upgrade to an energy-efficient washer, or your old fridge finally kicked the bucket, you’re going to be faced with a major task—how to get rid of your old appliance. If you have a boat-in cottage, or if the dump is more than just a short drive away, this can be particularly challenging. Instead of starting an appliance graveyard, consider upcycling the appliance into something useful.

Here are 13 ways to give your dead cottage appliances a new life.

Looking to upkeep or renovate? Let Cottage Life magazine advise and inspire you.

Subscribe Now!

Tags

Related Articles