The Old-School Item Nobody Uses In The House Anymore (And 10 Cool Ways To Use It)

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Year after year, time moves forward, and common household items that were once considered essential are pushed aside in favor of the latest trends and technologies. Eventually, these items become relics of the past, forgotten or unknown by the newest generations. "Old-school" or "retro" are the words assigned to these items when they no longer serve a purpose in the home, yet bring back a sense of nostalgia for those who are old enough to still remember how to use them. The rotary phone is a vintage '70s item that nobody uses in the home anymore. Depending on the style, though, some rotary phones are considered collectible and may be worth more than you think.

Of course, not every rotary phone that you find collecting dust in your grandparents' attic is going to score you a payday. However, this once-dated thrift store find is making a comeback in home decor. Each of the following modern uses for old rotary phones is sure to bring a cozy, vintage style to your home. For book lovers, you can create retro bookends, or brighten up your space with a rotary phone lamp. For plant lovers, turn it into a whimsical succulent planter. Or, if you want something a bit more techy (and ambitious), you can convert old phones into new electronics like an iPhone docking station, a microphone, or a retro MP3.

Part of the charm behind retro items is the sense of nostalgia they bring into a home, and so do books. If you love retro styles and reading, you can try a unique DIY home decor idea that upcycles old phones into bookends. Some popular examples of this trend use corded phones that are a bit more modern than rotary phones, but the same idea applies. You can also add a stand to the bottom of the phone, or use a set of two phones to create vintage bookends.

If you love vintage decor and live plants in your house, this next one is the perfect blend of the two. You can easily turn your old rotary phone into a vintage-themed planter for succulent plants. Plus, it is really easy to do-it-yourself. Use a screwdriver to remove the back panel and cut the connecting wires. Disconnect the rotary piece and remove all electronics. You can also paint the phone or the rotary backing if you would like. Then, reassemble the phone with a succulent planter inside and the succulent growing through the hole left from the rotary piece.

Light up your reading space and reuse these outdated phones with the bright DIY idea of converting a rotary phone into a lamp. You don't have to be an electrician to run new wires for lighting through the old device; it's actually easier than it sounds or looks. If you don't want to mess with wiring, you can skip wired options and go straight for rechargeable light bulbs.

Using your old rotary phone to provide power to your new phone is a quirky idea that is just interesting enough to blend vintage decor with modern function. This project can be as easy or difficult as you want it to be. You could simply attach a small docking station from any electronics store to the back of the vintage phone with a safe adhesive. Or, you can disassemble the phone and splice the wires to give power to a phone charger, which can be placed anywhere on the phone for easy charging.

Planning a retro-themed wedding? Why not have your guests sign in with a rotary phone that records their message for you instead of a book? This is a fun, creative way to create a lasting memory from your wedding or other events that brings the happiness of that moment into your home for years to come. Plus, you can keep it around for decor that doubles as a conversation piece. You may need help because you will need to splice wires to install a recording and playback device into the phone. They are also for sale on Amazon.

Converting your old rotary phone into a music player can be a challenging task if you aren't very knowledgeable about electronics, but don't let that scare you away. There are companies out there that will help you convert old electronics into new things, and musical rotary phones are actually quite popular. For experienced DIYers, this YouTube video by whizzbizz could help. You will need a device to play your selected audio files. Then, the device needs to be programmed to play specific audio files when a number is dialed.

Remember that iconic ringtone from classic rotary phones? What if you could turn that into your doorbell? This creative upcycle greets your guests with vintage style right at your front door, and it's so simple! All you need is the rotary phone, a wireless doorbell button with a module, and a power adapter. Attach the doorbell button to your front door and plug the phone into the module. Then plug each respective end of the power adapter into the module and an outlet. Press the doorbell and enjoy the nostalgic ring from the past.

This idea may not sound creative, but having a "house phone" isn't commonplace anymore. So, if you're nostalgic for a landline, there's a modern way you can use a vintage home phone. Phone companies will still connect landline phones to your home because they can still operate in the event of a massive mobile outage. Plus, it can be a great tool for busy families who need a way to contact people at home without playing phone tag, and it gives parents a more monitored way to grant younger kids access to a phone at home for calling friends and family. 

While there are plenty of things you can do to upcycle an old rotary phone by altering it, some people advocate for leaving them untouched, or at least only aesthetically altered. Some rotary phones are already stylish, while others leave a little to be desired. For phones that are less ornamental, you can paint them or use synthetic dyes to bring your own artistic style to your decor. If you are using spray paint, you will want to remove the electrical components (at least temporarily) while you paint.

Turning your rotary phone into a clock is another fun decor option that can be simple or complicated, depending on how you want the project done. Just like any of the other options on the list, you can start by disassembling the phone and placing an appropriately sized timepiece into the rotary slot. Or, you could have the phone made into a custom clock by taking it to someone who knows about clockwork. If you are really crafty, you can get all the parts and assemble the clock yourself.