How to Repurpose Chairs

A repurposed chair may result in a new and chic item for decor. Although "repurposing" may sound like a fresh concept for green living, many people who experienced the Great Depression, live in poorer countries, or cope with economic disadvantage in the contemporary U.S. practice this eco-friendly strategy to save money. To repurpose a chair means to give it a new use, whether you change its role in the home in "as is" condition or give it a makeover.

Explore Possibilities

Old chairs can store toys or accessories.

There are two basic ways to choose how to repurpose chairs: Examine the chairs themselves for what other purposes they might suit, or find a need and suit a chair to the need. For example, a pair of rattan armchairs could sit on a high shelf or be suspended from bike hooks from the ceiling to create a fun storage area for excess toys, including stuffed animals, beach balls and large dolls. If you need a plant holder, use a chair that complements the plant, such as a kitchen chair with a curved back to contrast with the straight leaves of a snake plant.

Alternative Seating

A blanket or new cushions makes a glider new for nursing.

Old chairs you have on hand, or find secondhand or salvaged may take on new life when repurposed as a different kind of chair. Vintage vanity or dining chairs might become whimsical playroom seats, or a pair of them could take the place of a bed bench in a romantic bedroom. Nailing a board across the seats of two or three matching chairs makes a bench for an entryway or garden. Wrought-iron or wicker patio chairs may find a new life as attractive seats for a kitchen or dining room table. Old kitchen chairs make suitable desk chairs for a homework table or craft room. An old glider from the living room draped with a quilt or plush blanket can substitute for a rocking chair in the nursery.

Side Table

An antique chair can hold a stack of reading material.

Chairs that are particularly appealing, including antique chairs, rustic chairs with woven seats and vintage finds such as chrome and vinyl kitchen chairs, make good candidates to be repurposed "as is" for use with tables. Setting the chair next to an armchair to hold magazines or books works with any type of seat. A glass tray on the chair's seat allows its upholstering or caning to show through while making it useful to hold drinks. You might park a stylish old chair between two sofas or armchairs as an end table.


Because rattan and bamboo chairs tend to be lighter than wood, they make a good choice where weight's an issue. For safety, use a stud finder and heavy duty hardware if you mount chairs on the wall or ceiling. If you store or display any hard objects on chairs overhead, secure the objects with a net to reduce the risk of anything falling and causing an injury, such as during an earthquake. Wicker chairs work well as indoor or outdoor plant stands. Painting chairs gives them a fresh look. You might repurpose straight-back chairs painted in bright primary colors to hold a stack of towels in the bathroom and extra pillows in a guest room.