11 Ways To Repurpose Shutters
Weathered, chipped and peeling paint? Yes please!
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »
Due to budget constraints and landfill guilt, I'm on a repurposing streak lately. When I look around Houzz, my eyes are peeled for interesting objects used in different ways. The other day I stumbled across a headboard made of old shutters and thanks to our handy-dandy keyword search function, I was able to find a slew of ways that architects, interior designers and design bloggers are repurposing shutters. Here are eleven you shouldn't miss.
As outdoor decor. The colors in these shutters pick up on the hues from the floor, walls and furniture, helping to tie it all together.
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As a frame, of sorts. A small shutter makes a lovely backdrop for this simple clock. This idea could also be used for a group of small prints or vintage postcards. Also, note the way the colors of the shutter pick up the colors of the tiles.
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| To break up a wall. Battered shutters bring in age and ornament while breaking up this tangerine dining room wall. This is an especially effective trick in a house may be lacking in architectural details. Private Comment
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As a headboard. A composition of shutters becomes a tall shabby-chic headboard in this bedroom. I especially love this look for a pair of twin beds, using old-fashioned cottage shutters with little cutouts like pine trees, crescent moons and other shapes.
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As a cabinet door. A weathered shuttered door adds patina and texture to this bathroom. If you're handy, you can find the shutter first and built a cabinet around it.
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To add architectural details. Shutter doors add cozy charm and architecture to this beachfront condo's dining cove. I imagine shutting them when playing a good game of cards with family and friends. It could make a game of UNO seem more like a poker game in a saloon in the Wild West. Or not.
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To punctuate a plain exterior wall. White shutters against this deep blue exterior pain, accompanied by French-style chairs gives this patio Caribbean flavor.
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| As a room divider (indoors or out). An assemblage of exterior shutters becomes functional decor in this Lowcountry coastal color palette. Private Comment
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To hang notes and ornaments. Blogger Tracey of French Larkspur used a pair of shutter frames as a spot for hanging special notes and vintage ephemera.
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To create a backdrop. Blogger Maria of Dreamy Whites loves to move shutters around as backdrops and props when styling photos. I like the way she's used this one as a place to hang the calendar. Here's a peek at different items around the same shutter.
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To replace artwork. The paint job on these shutters has an eye-catching marbled look. They are a textured 3-dimensional replacement for a print over the sofa.
More:
Book Tour: Patina Style
Decorating on a Budget: 10 Repurposing Ideas
Decorating on a Budget: 12 More Repurposing Ideas
Modernizing Cottage Style
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More:
Book Tour: Patina Style
Decorating on a Budget: 10 Repurposing Ideas
Decorating on a Budget: 12 More Repurposing Ideas
Modernizing Cottage Style
Comments
Boutique-de-la-Mer.com says:
Fabulous ideas - I'm on a re-purposing trend too so appreciate your thoughts.
4 months ago ·
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Jaime Costiglio says:
Beckie I just made a headboard myself from old shutters, the tutorial is here:
http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2012/01/h-is-for-headboard.html
http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2012/01/h-is-for-headboard.html
4 months ago ·
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wrxkathy says:
I have old shutters used as a room divider (bought at an antique store), but I also have some old, ordinary window shutters that I plan to hinge together to hide the garbage cans!
4 months ago ·
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ellie48 says:
This is a super post. There are some great ideas here for different uses of shutters!! Thanks so much!
4 months ago ·
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Laurie Bird in Hand VTG says:
I've got a pair of yummy green ones in my basement with pink paint peeking through. Not my colors but hate to refinish and ruin the fabulous patina . . .
4 months ago ·
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Gina Fitzsimmons ASID says:
Shutters can also be used to anchor an art grouping. I found these very old shutters in Cape Cod. They are put together with wooden pegs!
Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID Interior Designer in Annapolis, Md.
Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID Interior Designer in Annapolis, Md.
1mlee says:
I hinged three together and made a screen to hide the big water heater in my laundry room. I then hung vintage aprons on them. So cute!
4 months ago ·
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marylouburton says:
Love old shutters with peeling paint and rich or muted colors. That aged finish can not be created. The older the better. The tall shutters in Kim Woods picture, really anchor the dining room. I have been looking for two old tall shutters to put on the side of an old paned window with a mirror in place of the glass. Then I will hang a wide metal trellis flower box under the window. Something to dress up the back wall of the garage and deck.
4 months ago ·
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Stephanie Norris says:
So many fun ideas! I love how Gail repurosed these shutters into a magazine rack.
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2011/10/repurposed-shutter-magazine-rack.html
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2011/10/repurposed-shutter-magazine-rack.html
4 months ago ·
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I used them to disguise some small basement windows in my guest room. The windows now seem larger and the room has added charm. It no longer feels like it's below ground.
3 months ago ·
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casablue says:
Jill & Gina, I really like what you both did With your shutters - great ideas!
3 months ago ·
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Decor Made Simple says:
Love the colorful low country porch Becky. Thanks for including my shutters that were upcycled as an art piece.
Dianna
Dianna
3 months ago ·
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Susie Van Deventer says:
I love decorating with shutters, thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas. Add interest to a grouping of small wall art by hanging them on a shutter. Including the shutter in this instance brings your eye upwards; the shutter provides more visual weight to the art that might otherwise be lost on a large wall. http://SusieV.WillowHouse.com Heritage Wall Art, Jamestown Tray, Ruffled Glass Pitcher and Scrollwork Oversized Throw and Embroidered Pillow shown here.
3 months ago ·
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seaturtle60 says:
Love to see how clever the many can be. I had this pair of shutters in my decor for maybe 20 years, used it for a screen for the water heater in a butlers pantry, used it to screen a home office area, on and on and finally repurposed it, by cutting them in half, staining it a deep mahogany and creating a head board for my daughter, until she can afford real furniture....
3 months ago ·
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gschneider says:
We used old shutters found in the basement of our old home as backdrops for photos we've taken at different vineyards while traveling. These hang in the dining area of our kitchen & helped create more visual impact than just the regular frames on the wall alone.
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