Take Old Or Broken Spindles From Trash To Treasure With These Clever Repurposing Ideas

At some point, you've likely crossed paths with old spindles at a thrift store or some that were tossed out from an old staircase, chair, or bed frame. Most people wouldn't give cracked, mismatched, or chipped spindles a second glance. But here's the thing: old spindles hold lots of DIY potential for repurposing into cute decor. If you're decorating on a budget or just love the idea of giving old things a new purpose, there are a slew of projects that'll turn old spindles into something else entirely and elevate your home decor, too.

Spindles are a great upcycle because they come in different shapes and sizes. Since most spindles are made from solid wood, they're sturdy and pretty easy to work with. Spindles can blend into almost any decor style — farmhouse, rustic, cottagecore, or shabby chic. You can pick them up at flea markets, thrift stores, or salvage yards. If you're lucky, there might even be a spindle on a piece of old furniture that was part of your childhood home or passed down from a grandparent, just waiting for you to give it new life. Whether you want to take old chair spindles and make them into a soothing wind chime, a set of candlesticks, or a unique jewelry holder, these clever, budget-friendly ideas are the perfect way to transform old or broken spindles into functional art displays for any area of your home.

With just a skinny dowel, a wooden base, and a fresh coat of paint, you can change that spindle into a rustic display for your necklaces, bracelets, and watches. A spindle's natural vertical shape makes it perfect for hanging up your pretty bling without it getting tangled. You can paint designs on the stand to give it a little extra oomph.

For a cute and functional display, take wooden trays or vintage plates and insert a long spindle through their centers to hold them together. The rustic spindles give it extra height and a vintage-y feel. The tiered tray can go anywhere you want to show off your favorite things. Use it in the kitchen to organize spices or the entryway to toss your keys. It's a creative way to give new purpose to something old.

Turning old spindles into candlesticks might take a little extra work, but it'll be totally worth it in the end when you have a one-of-a-kind look. You'll have to carve out the middle of the spindles so they're wide enough for your tapered candles. Slap some paint on them to go with your home style and then mix up the heights for a spectacular centerpiece or mantle display.

A spindle pedestal bowl is an adorable way to freshen up an old wooden spindle that's way past its prime. To make it pop, paint the spindle in a brighter color than your wood or metal bowl. You can use it as a rustic centerpiece in your dining room, in the entryway to catch keys and mail, or even as a fruit bowl in the kitchen.

For those with farmhouse style vibes, wooden carrots made from spindles are a perfect craft for spring or Easter decor and cute enough to display year-round. Paint them in soft or bright orange hues, and top with green raffia or faux greenery. Give them a good sanding to add a smidge of distressing for a realistic look. They make smashing rustic bowl fillers, tiered tray accents, or porch decor.

Cleverly transform an old spindle into a functional rack to hang on the wall in your entryway, mudroom, or hallway. The longer the spindle, the better for hanging up hats, scarves, and anything that can fit on a hook. We love the distressed, shabby chic look for adding extra character to an otherwise lackluster wall. Secure wall hooks directly into the spindle for a more architectural, vintage vibe.

If building a budget-friendly, rustic-inspired toolbox decor with fence pickets is part of your upcoming plans, then this idea is for you. Give your DIY toolbox some pizzazz by skipping the wooden dowel handle and using a spindle in its place. The spindle's curves add texture and visual interest to counter the fence pickets' smooth surfaces. Use it for cute decor with some faux florals or make it more functional as an organizer for craft and garden supplies or your household tools.

Different from candlesticks and spindle bowl pedestals, a decorative spindle pedestal is like a mini riser with a flat top to spotlight your favorite things. They're made by attaching a cut spindle to a wooden base and a flat or square board to the top. The result is the cutest mini pedestal, perfect for large candles, small plants, frames, or seasonal decor. Vary the heights and shapes to create a unique display on your shelves, mantels, or tabletops.

When you need a vertical piece to throw tea towels, blankets, string lights, or home decor onto, then you could create a functional DIY rustic decorative ladder using old spindles. Though not meant to climb on, a spindle ladder is a practical DIY that can give your rustic-inspired vibe an extra boost. You can customize its size, number of rungs, and finish to blend effortlessly with your aesthetic.

Turn an old spindle into a unique bud vase for a minimalist way to display your faux florals. Drill a hole in the center big enough for the stems to fit into. If you want to use real flowers, hollow out the top and add a test tube inside. They make cute table centerpieces or mantle accents when grouped together at different spindle heights and sizes.

If you're overrun with wooden cutting boards, throw a spindle on one and turn it into functional decor. The spindle acts like a handle to give the board a tray-like feel, perfect for serving fancy-schmancy cheeses at dinner parties. So, whether you prop it up against a wall as decor or use it to serve posh finger foods to your friends, this spindle DIY is always a great idea.

Spindles can also become the trunk for a whimsical Christmas tree, with metal sheets cut in a triangle forming the rest of the tree.  Group several together in different sizes for a whimsical tabletop forest on mantels, entryways, or as festive centerpieces. You can keep it super simple without paint, or you could paint the metal sheet in festive colors like green or white.

For cottagecore enthusiasts, design faux birdhouses to elevate your whimsy decor with some old spindles and a few wood pieces from the craft store. Although they aren't functional birdhouses, real birds will wish they could fit inside this adorable DIY. Add some bows and faux greenery to make them extra special, and then group them inside or outside your home for a curated collection.