Rain gutters may seem like a simple home feature that just directs water flow, but they can actually be used for a lot more. Here are 5 Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Gutters:
2. Turn into a marble maze or water channel for toy cars and marbles.
Add a fun twist to your summer block party by serving ice cream out of gutter-turned-troughs. Simply crimp and paint 10-foot sections of guttering with end caps and fill them up with your favorite treat. Contact Colorado Springs Gutters for more information.
1. Mail Holder
Rather than throwing out old gutter sections, try one of these creative uses instead. These easy DIY projects will breathe new life into your gutters and improve both indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Gutter sections make excellent shoe racks for mudrooms and entryways, especially when mounted horizontally along the wall. This shoe storage solution keeps shoes organized and off the floor, which is important in preventing dirt and moisture from tracking into the home. To make this project, cut a gutter to the desired length and mount it horizontally to the wall. Add a piece of non-slip rubber to the bottom of each gutter section for added stability.
The long and narrow shape of gutters makes them perfect for building sleek and modern bookshelves. Cut gutters to the desired length and mount them horizontally to the wall using brackets. This handy storage solution can be used to store books, binders of fabric or craft supplies, and even small tools like spray paint or seeds. It’s also an ideal solution for storing rakes, torches, brooms, or mops in garages and workshops.
Children will love playing with old gutters when you turn them into a fun and functional toy. Depending on the child’s age, you can use gutters to build dollhouses or play structures for them to play in. Older kids can also create their own toys by connecting gutter pieces together to make tunnels, ramps, or race tracks for toy cars and marbles. In addition, you can use gutters to create water channels for outdoor water play on hot summer days. You can even repurpose gutters into garden planter boxes for herbs and flowers. Simply cut them into the desired length and mount them to walls, fences, or railings. Fill the gutters with potting soil and plant herbs that thrive in vertical gardens, such as basil, thyme, or rosemary.
2. Light Fixture
When most people see a section of gutter, they think of it as an eco-friendly way to channel runoff water from the roof to a downspout. But a few creative DIY enthusiasts have taken these utilitarian home accessories to a whole new level, repurposing them for a wide variety of practical purposes.
Many homeowners are embracing gutter gardens, which are used to grow flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Simply attach a gutter to a wall or balcony, fill it with soil and seeds, then provide it with plenty of sunlight and water. This green-thumb hobby is both functional and decorative, creating a relaxing ambiance in your garden.
Gutters are also popular for use as a unique, eco-friendly fence or barrier in the yard. Just cut a gutter to the desired length and mount it on a wall or other structure. Fill it with vines or other plants to create a gorgeous, green fence that is both functional and stylish.
If you have a lot of spools of ribbon, cut a piece of gutter to the desired length and mount it on the wall to create an easy-to-access storage space. This is a great solution for anyone who uses spools of ribbon to wrap gifts, as well as paper and other craft supplies.
Gutter sections can be mounted to a wall or other surface to serve as a book shelf for home or office use. This is a great option for people with limited space who want to add shelving to their home or office without purchasing an expensive piece of furniture. You can also use this method to create a simple, yet stylish bookcase in your children’s room or bedroom.
3. Shelves
Whether you’re working to replace gutters or simply have extra lengths lying around, they don’t have to go into the trash. With a little ingenuity, you can repurpose these long, narrow containers into all sorts of helpful items for your home and garden.
Gutter shelves can be used to house all manner of small trinkets or curio items, much like primitive Shaker-style wooden shelf units and glass-fronted curio cabinets. They can also serve as shelving for tools, garden supplies, books, or other hobby supplies in a garage or workshop. Stack them up, bind them together, and hang them on the wall to provide an additional storage option without taking up valuable floor space.
A longer, 10-foot length of gutter can be turned into a handy cooler for beverages at barbecues or other outdoor gatherings. Cut it to the desired size, cap both ends, and add ice to turn a picnic table into a beverage station that will be sure to impress your guests.
If you’re prone to bouts of cold weather, use a length of gutter as a protective shield for delicate seedlings and other garden plants. This simple DIY project will extend the growing season and protect your precious investments from frost and cold snaps.
Unlike unmodified lengths of gutter, downspouts have closed ends that make them perfect for holding long, thin items such as rakes and badminton rackets. Stand them upright to keep rakes, brooms, and mop handles organized in the shed or garage, or lay them horizontally to store spray paints, seeds, and other gardening products. They can even be used to hold spools of ribbon that would otherwise be a mess in a box or drawer.
4. Toys
A gutter is a perfect material to create an outdoor herb garden, especially if you don’t have a lot of yard space. Mount gutters to a fence or railing, fill them with soil and plant herbs that thrive in vertical gardens, like basil, mint, rosemary and thyme. This easy-to-create project adds fresh herbs to your meals and provides a nice aesthetic to your home’s exterior.
Gutter sections can be used to create a fun children’s play structure for your kids. Use them as the walls and roof of a miniature house, or let your children use them to create a teepee or fort. Add a few chairs, some pillows and other toys to complete the structure and your children will have hours of fun.
Using old gutters to create storage shelves is another functional and creative way to repurpose them. Bolt lengths of gutter to the wall to create a stylish shelving solution for your home. This is a great way to organize your garage, basement or workspace and can hold everything from spray paint and seeds to gardening tools and slender supplies like ribbon and twine.
Gutter sections can also be repurposed to serve as picture ledges. Cut a section of gutter to your desired length, then add end caps and paint it to match the color of your decor. Screw the gutter to the wall, then display framed photos and artwork on the ledges. You can also use this system to display small potted plants. A repurposed gutter can make an excellent bird feeder for your backyard, too. Cut a length of gutter to your desired size, mount it on a fence and fill it with birdseed. This simple project is a fun and eco-friendly way to bring wildlife to your yard.
5. Planters
Gutters are not just a common sight in the backyard but they can also be an integral part of your garden design. Whether you turn them into boat races for kids, an eco-friendly fence or a stylish planter, there are many creative ways to upcycle old gutters that are functional and beautiful.
A repurposed gutter is an easy and affordable way to add a towel rack to your bathroom. Simply cut a section of gutter to the desired length and mount it on a wall or near your front door for a decorative and space-saving solution.
Lengths of gutters that are not in use can be used to create a unique and creative storage solution for tools, gardening supplies or even books. Simply mount the gutters on the wall in your shed, garage or home to free up floor space and keep all of your supplies organized.
You can also repurpose gutters to grow plants and herbs in your yard. Plant a vegetable garden along the length of a repurposed gutter for an innovative alternative to traditional terra cotta pots. Or, line several gutters with strawberries or other herbs along a fence or balcony railing for a stunning, edible outdoor decoration.
For pet owners, repurpose a gutter into a fun and convenient feeding station. Simply cut a section of gutter to fit over your pet’s bowl and mount it slightly off the ground for easy access during feeding time. You can also mount gutters on a wall in your workshop to organize spools of thread, ribbon and other craft materials. These creative uses of old gutters provide an eco-friendly and sustainable way to keep your home organized and clutter-free.