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Repurposing Old Wooden Shutters for Home Decor

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Education & Training with JenniferMaker

I visited my local "re-use" center here in Ann Arbor recently, on the search for old shutters. Why? Well, I had an idea on how I could use shutters to create paper storage for my home. And I went as far as to buy some shutters from a big box home improvement store. But when I got home and opened the package, I realized that the shutters were just hollow plastic shutters without the charm of actual wood shutters.

Real wood shutters, whether new or old, make excellent home decor! You can put them up on the wall, frame them around or mirror, or use them to store envelopes and postcards. They are quirky, vintage, and cute.

Unfortunately, real wood shutters are pricey. And usually unpainted. But I got lucky at my re-use center and found some old bi-fold doors with perfect shutters on them. We bought the set for $5 total, brought them home, and trimmed them down to "shutter" size. Here's what we have now.

Old white shutters against a blue wall

I'm really excited to turn these old shutters into paper storage! I already have a number of paper storage solutions, including my DIY paper storage tower.

White paper storage tower filled with colorful paper

The shutters can be used as is to organize things like postcards and magazine just by inserted the ends into the slats. But I envision something a little different, where each slat can hold a number of papers. I plan to attach fabric to the back of the shutter to keep the papers from falling out!

Check back later to see a photo of the finished and styled shutters!

Show All Comments Sort:
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Thanks for sharing a great idea Jennifer Maker . Congrats on your first post. I had turned a couple of shutters into business card holders and then my daughter painted them up really neat.

May 16, 2018 05:43 PM
Jennifer Maker

Thank you, Bob!

May 16, 2018 06:41 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Jennifer Maker welcome to ActiveRain and congratulations on successfully posting your first blog on this site.

May 16, 2018 05:44 PM
Jennifer Maker

Thanks, George!

May 16, 2018 06:41 PM
Michele Cadogan 917-861-9166
Fillmore Real Estate 2990 Av U, Bklyn , NY 11229 - Brooklyn, NY
Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker -

Welcome to Active Rain     .  Your creative upcycling/repurposing project looks good.  Something that I  will share on Pinterest too....

May 16, 2018 06:47 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Welcome to the ActiveRain community. Congratulations on your first post.

May 16, 2018 08:17 PM
Jeff Perlis Prime Properties
Prime Properties - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Experience Your Own Transformation!

Congratulations on your first blog post!  Welcome to the Rain community.

May 17, 2018 11:27 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Welcome to active rain. Good luck in achieving your goals on active rain 

May 19, 2018 05:00 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

Welcome to the Rain real estate community.   Congratulations on your first blog post! 

Jun 11, 2018 11:50 PM