22 Ingenious Ways To Repurpose Old Junk

Landfills are full of steel rims available for cheap.

Place the rim on its side and you've got an instant fire pit. Surround it with bricks to protect hands and feet from hot steel.

Old keys can pile up quickly in drawers and lead to confusion.

Add a bend to your old keys into a U-shape and you've got the perfect wall hook.

An old pile of rusted pipe ends and fittings destined for the junk pile.

With a bit of rust remover to make them shine, you can transform your old fittings into a steampunk chess set.

Source: 9 Bizarrely Beautiful DIY Chess Sets

These vintage glass bowls are pretty, but always hidden away in cabinets.

Bring your beautiful bowls into the open by using them to plant succulents, which look great in any kitchen windowsill.

Abandoned entertainment centers are available at thrift stores across the country.

With a little paint and a few pieces of hardware, you can transform that sad entertainment center into a fun play kitchen for kids.

Steel office filing cabinets often last longer than the businesses they support.

Add some fresh paint, casters, a butcher block top, and some hardware, and you've got the perfect kitchen cart or island.

Source: Curbly.

Doors are a dime a dozen on Craigslist. Look for wood doors with great character and panels.

Convert your door into a sliding screen that reveals a hidden pantry.

Source: Design*Sponge

A typical wire wastebasket doesn't seem very inspiring.

Turn it upside-down, add some paint and a stained wood top, and you've got a modern side table.

Source: Shabby Creek Cottage

Plastic containers can always be recycled, but why not upcycle them into something that will make your life easier?

Attach your plastic coffee canisters to a wood backing and you've got easy-to-reach storage for nuts, bolts, and anything else small enough to fit.

Source: Instructables

There are myriad uses for old tires (just make sure to clean them thoroughly or you'll end up with dirt everywhere).

Here's one: Cut an old tire in half, attach a 12-foot board, and use it as a see saw.

Source: Built by Kids