Things to Make With Old Outdoor Shutters

Outdoor shutters serve practical and decorative functions, protecting a house from weather and intruders and enhancing the appearance of the exterior. An aging shutter too worn to fulfill its original purpose might be replaced but need not be discarded. For the ecologically minded or creatively inclined, the salvaged shutter can provide sturdy support or intrigue to many useful and decorative projects.

Hinged Shutters

Similar shutters connected by hinges can be re-purposed as free-standing screens inside or outside a house. Paint or stain the shutters to complement decor or, for a rustic effect, leave them weathered. A tall screen could divide a room while a smaller one might conceal a rusty pipe or ugly outlet. Hinged shutters can also provide an indoor or outdoor backdrop for an arrangement of flower potsor a bistro table and chair set. To turn the screen into a cabinet door, attach one side of the screen by more hinges to the front of an open-faced wooden box of a corresponding size. Add a decorative knob or handle.

Supporting Board

With the hardware removed, shutters become sturdy but interesting planks with many possible uses. Add legs to turn a shutter into a decorative table top. Turn one large plank on its side, attach thick table legs to the ends and use it as a headboard for a bed. Shutters can also provide a sturdy back or side board for a rectangular shelving system or comprise the entire support structure for a set of corner shelves. To construct the latter, stand two matching shutters on end, join them with hinges and rotate them toward each other at a 90-degree angle. Slide flat boards horizontally through the slats of both shutters, forming a set of triangular shelves. Use a similar arrangement with narrow shutters to support stacked DVDs. An added base and small tabletop will preserve the structure's angle.

Slat Manipulation

When fixed into a partially open position, shutter slats provide a number of supports from which fishhook-backed earrings can dangle or open Christmas cards can hang. Slanted at a right angle and backed by a solid piece of plywood, slats can also organize mail or folders. Leaving the slats movable, however, offers two choices of surface, which can be useful for a wall hanging phone or address directory. Slats in the upward position can bear labels with frequently used phone numbers or addresses that, when the slats are turned down, are hidden from view.

Slats as Filters

Take advantage of open slats as ready-made air and light openings for appropriate projects. A rectangular hamper employing at least one shutter as a side panel allows air to circulate among dirty clothes, reducing moisture buildup and odor. Painted discreetly or cheerfully, a tall birdhouse with sides made from small shutters can provide an airy home for inhabitants. To create a decorative lighting effect, secure four narrow shutters standing on end into a tall vented box, leaving the top and bottom open and the slats open or adjustable. Attach an arching wire handle to the box's top and lower the box over a clear glass hurricane lamp containing a lit candle.