Woman Repurposes Old-School Item Nobody Uses Anymore Into Gorgeous Home Decor

Too many old pieces of furniture get trashed every year, when they're actually gems in disguise. Sometimes all it takes is TLC and a new purpose to make them even greater than before. For example, if you were to walk past a large mail sorter in a thrift shop, would you even give it a second glance? It's not an item you typically see, nor would you probably want to purchase it to organize your mail. A mail sorter, however, with its many rows of cubbies, can easily be transformed into a statement decor piece.

Sandy from the TikTok channel @whimsybarn knows how valuable an old-school mail sorter can be. After finding one on Facebook Marketplace for a mere $25, she took it home and upcycled it in the most charming way. The piece was definitely in need of a good cleaning, which is to be expected of any item from a different time period. Once it was cleaned up, though, Sandy discovered a new purpose for the dozens of compartments that originally held letters. She cleverly began filling them with all of her favorite things, from old bottles to candle holders — and the results were beautiful.

Using the compartments of an old mail sorter to display items will really grab visitors' attention. Fill the cubbies with anything you like, whether it be quirky vintage decor or seasonal decorations like miniature pumpkins, Santas, and snow globes. This makes for a great organizational piece, as well as a decorative one. Instead of having all your favorite items cluttering up surfaces, you can contain them in your mail sorter. Put it in a main area of the home, like the kitchen, living room, or foyer — and it'll be a gorgeous way to display your belongings.

Another possibility would be to use it as a shoe storage solution, depending on the size of the compartments and shoes, of course. You could also fill it with little baskets for toys, kitchen items, or office supplies. Or, sprinkle in just a few of your favorite items and let the mail sorter itself steal the show. If your mail sorter is looking worse for wear, you can sand it and apply wood stain or a fresh coat of paint. Adding decorative labels below each slot is another way to make this old-school decor piece more aesthetically pleasing — and functional.