A picture frame is a long-lasting decorative item that can repurposed for various reasons. While picture frames are generally used for framing wall decoration and art, repurposing is a sustainable upgrade than discarding old photo frames.
Redesigning old picture frames into personal homemade storage units is an upgrade and a creative DIY project. Repurposing is better than tossing old frames into the trash or abandoning them in your basement.
Upcycling old frames is a clever and creative approach to reusing decorative household items that would otherwise end up in the trash. Repurposing picture frames fosters creativity and is environmentally beneficial to a standard.
How to Reuse Old Picture Frame
#1. Shadow Box
Upcycling photo frames into a shadow box is a unique way to show creativity with old frames in your home. This project requires various materials such as construction adhesive, wood glue, paint or stain, craft board, fabric paper, screws, two hinges, hook and eye latch. Other tools you may need include a tape measure, shop saw, clamp, drill, pencil, and nail gun or hammer.
These tools are important for taking accurate measurements and ensuring the shadow box is sturdy enough to withstand the weight of items that will be placed in it once it’s completed.
#2. Easter Eggs Picture Frames
Oval picture frames are just in the perfect shape for this DIY project. If you have old egg-shaped frames abandoned in the basement, you can transform them into decorative Easter egg frames. You will need spray paint, floral linens, scissors, glue, foam board, paintbrush, and egg templates.
Start by getting the oval frame ready and wiped clean. Apply some coats of spray paint on the oval frame and allow it to dry. Once the paint is dried, pair the oval frame with a floral bed sheet.
Next, cut out a large panel of fabric and place the photo frame on it to get your desired design for the project. Trim the floral sheet to perfectly fit inside the picture frame. After that, trace the interior of the picture frame using a piece of white foam board.
Assemble each piece, with the floral sheet placed in front of the frame and white foam board behind it. Make sure the floral sheet is smooth before you add finishing nails to the Easter egg decoration.
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#3. Vanity Shelf
Wooden old picture frames are best for this DIY project. To get started, you need a glue gun, a tape measure, a hand saw, and a piece of wooden trim long enough to make horizontal shelves.
Start by putting together wooden boards to make shelf space. Use the glue to hold the wooden boards together at the back of the picture frame.
You can also do this using a shadow box that fits the size of the picture frame.
#4. Revamped Frame for Storing Sunglasses
Sizable picture frames are best recommended for this. An old picture frame upcycled to a revamped frame for keeping sunglasses. You will need a shadow box frame that is at least thicker by an inch or more. You can decorate with fancy paint of your choice and will need glue to hold the pieces together.
#5. Gallery Wall
Old picture frames can be utilized to decorate indoor spaces, specifically walls. If you have old frames, you can create a gallery wall in the available space.
Start by measuring the available space you want to work with. Choose your preferred gallery wall layout that best suits the available space on the wall.
Next, map out how you want the frames arranged on the wall by using a large piece of paper that would be first placed on the floor. After that, lay out your desired gallery wall frames within the paper on the floor.
Once you have your desired gallery wall arranged on the floor, cut out the paper templates, and tape them to the available space on the wall. Doing this helps you know the right places to install hanging hooks and strips.
Your DIY old photo frame alongside other gallery artwork can be part of the frames hanging on this gallery wall.
#6. Frame Hanging Plants
This is a green-inspired DIY project that can be completed using an old photo frame and garden pot. It’s a bit similar to vertical farming, an innovative farming technique that utilizes small spaces.
An old wooden picture frame would do just fine with a hanging basket holding a plant inside. You will need tools like a hammer, a drill, a rope, paint/stain, and a nail to get started.
#7. Wooden Frame Lantern
One of the best ways to reuse old picture frames is by transforming them into classy wooden lanterns. For this DIY project, you will need more than one picture frame.
You will start by removing the backing and glass from the old picture frames you have gathered. They need to be painted thoroughly with a specific colour or you make a unique colour combination of your choice.
Allow the paint to dry on each piece before you can apply glue on the frames to hold them together to create a box. Once the frames are secured on each side, add wood plaques on top and at the bottom.
Sand all rough edges before painting the wood plaques. For a durable wooden lantern, use two wooden plaques, a smaller one and a bigger one. The smaller wooden plaque should be placed on top of the bigger one.
Also, a bigger wooden plaque is used to form the base of the lantern.
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#8. Jewellery Display
Repurposing old photo frames as a jewellery display is a creative way to save oneself from the stress of misplacing jewellery. This requires materials like an old lace doily, wire coils, hooks, a hot glue gun, scissors, and tape.
Firstly, wrap the lace around the backing of the frame and use tape to hold it in. S-shaped hooks and wire coils should be placed on the lace for easy hanging of jewellery.
They can hold lightweight jewellery such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets strong enough not to fall off.
#9. Bookshelves
You can transform a sizable picture frame into simple, classy bookshelves – and it is suitable for storing a few books in the bedroom. To do this, you will need a handsaw, glue gun, tape measure, and flat wood.
#10. Key Hanger
This should be the easiest DIY project, with old picture frames being transformed into simple key hangers. You only need to find coat hooks, screws, or paint for an extra touch.
Screw the coat hooks into the bottom of the old picture frame. You can use an electric drill to make the work easier. You can also decorate the frame if you choose and hang it in an accessible spot.
Conclusion
There are several ways to repurpose old picture frames. It’s simple when you have the supplies and tools to complete each DIY project. You can reuse an old picture frame to make something unique instead of discarding it.