Vintage shutters, once used solely for their practical purpose on windows, have now found a cherished place in home decor. Transforming old shutters into stylish accessories or statement pieces allows you to add a touch of charm and character to any room.
Whether you prefer a rustic, farmhouse look or something more eclectic, incorporating reclaimed shutters into your decor is a wonderful way to blend history with creativity. From wall displays to functional organizers, these timeless wooden panels offer endless possibilities for refreshing your space with warmth and personality.
Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Shutters
1. Build An Off-The-Wall Scene
Incorporating 3D features like mini shrubs and fabric flowers brings this simple shutter off the wall, onto the porch. The pastels and sherbet colors are perfect with a pink flamingo. This curvy wood accent probably came from a craft store, which probably has other animals and shapes to choose from.
2. Knock And Give The Password
Doesn’t this suspended shutter look like a gatekeeper should open it, demanding a secret code for entry? With complimentary brown against a vine wreath and burgundy flowers, this shutter makes a stately fall hanger. Use a color that stands out against the paint on your door for this door-within-a-door effect.
3. Make It Door Greeter, Not Floor Greeter
Instead of looking down at the Welcome mat, let a French door shutter invite your guests in at eye level! A shutter like this can be a versatile touch year-round with a few interchangeable greeting signs—family birthdays, seasonal salutations, and a re-writable chalk paint sign are a great start.
4. Multi-Color Themes And Patterns
Louvered shutters are the perfect place to experiment with painting patterns that come out a little boring or “flat” (literally!) on paper or canvas. This star stencil pops, thanks to the shutter’s dimension giving it some lift. You could use dazzling silver or metallics for the full “star-spangled” treatment.
5. It’s Okay To Draw On The Walls
These shutters joined together and mounted, turn a child’s bedroom wall into an appropriate, ongoing art project. Crafty youngsters can decorate their own clothespins for a living scrapbook that displays their unique works of art, school awards, photos, birthday cards, and more.
6. Bring It Up, Brighten Up
I love the power of a shutter display to lift the gaze. This single panel shutter adds height to a fall-themed accent table, and its natural wood color creates a perfect stage for a burlap scrap wreath in vivid yellow, bringing the whole display to life.
7. Every Day We’re Shufflin’
Use an old shutter in the entryway of your home to help everyone in your household stay more organized! Details like a basket for mail, and clothespins for to-do-lists, grocery lists, receipts, and bills—even a charge cord station—will keep you running on time, no matter how often you rush in and out.
8. Romance And Utility In A Window Box
No window box shutter would be complete without sweet, blossoming flowers. What a perfect place to keep fresh cut flowers and herbs in adorable jars. Change the flowers to suit your mood, whether you’re using fresh, potted, or artificial. The key-shaped key hanger here adds an ornate touch, and it serves a purpose.
9. At The Head
Larger, more heavy-duty shutters can make for a great bedroom décor refresher! Upgrade a basic bed frame with a headboard made of joined, matching shutters. Cool, soothing bedroom wall paint colors are recommended for the best sleep, so think about slate and stone colors for a great shutter headboard.
10. Squeeze In To Make Space
It’s worth it to show every corner of our homes some love and attention. This shutter creates the illusion of a small space being able to “open up.” A shutter, a mounted light, a pop of color, and a couple of small bottles, make a well-loved space here.
11. Shutters, But Make It A Puzzle
This took some planning, but I can think of some crafters who are up to it! The textures, colors, and variety of shutter sizes here suggest the dignity of wall-to-wall bookshelves. To Gen X’ers and millennials, they also suggest nostalgia because the effect resembles one of the most popular video games of the early ’90s.
12. Hanging Out The Window
Shutters outside your windows, but in an unexpected way! Use small shutters to build a window box, paint it in a striking color, and change out the plants and flowers to your heart’s content. A window box is also a great space for creative painting, like a pet portrait.
13. Hanging Poolside, Off The Beach, In The Mud Room
Use a heavy-duty, oil-based paint on a shutter to protect the wood, and mounted faucet accents for wet bathing suits and towels in the pool house or mudroom. Several shutters with hanging utensils and mounted baskets could even be arranged to frame a mirror in any bathroom.
14. Old-Timey Multi-Media Shutters
If the windows don’t open to a view, paint your own! A fresh-looking green theme carries through the shabby-chic antiqued wood treatment and the flowers painted on the glass of this paned shutter. If you look closely, the shutters themselves have a slightly different faux finish paint job than the window frame does. You’re just a couple of Youtube painting videos away from something truly special to display.
15. Freshen Up A Throwback Color Trend
The ’90s are coming back, and with them, colorful accents in vampy, dramatic purples. Some people will mostly engage this trend in nail polish and lipstick, but there is plenty of room in the crafting world! This minimalist dark purple bow looks posh and neat with the gray painted shutter.
16. A Power Prop For Everyday
This shutter looks stately with a shelf and small aluminum containers featuring succulents and candles. With a mirror secured in the middle, a piece like this makes a unique vanity. Set it over the sink for toothbrushes, skincare, and hair products, or over a dressing table for jewelry, perfumes, and cosmetics.
17. Support Your Local Crafters
When the shutters look as homespun as these, put them together with beautiful woven baskets. For a look as cozy as this, try to find some special, hand made baskets or purses. This might mean your local farmer’s market, arts festival, or a cool vacation find.
18. Add Depth With Simple Text
Two sets of shutters, taken apart and spaced evenly, can make a strong central piece mounted on the main wall. This wall adds a layer of depth with a word sculpture over the shutters. If you don’t know a wood sculptor, you could assemble craft store letters over a shutter set. Sconces on either side add to the symmetry here. Sconces, candles, or framed photos, in different arrangements, could accent a piece like this.
19. Vintage And Retro, So Happy Together
If you have a well-loved table, beautiful regardless of nicks and scratches, you don’t have to hide it! These small, narrow shutters look un-fussy but elegant, hosting blooming orchids. The imperfect whitewash paint stands out against the dark wood table, contrasting the smooth finish without contradicting the visible wear.
20. Enshrine Your Most Precious Memories
A simple hinge turns a set of shutters into a free-standing photo display. You could secure the shelf permanently, but the display will be more versatile if it can be easily disassembled. This would also be a lovely way to keep up with a distant loved one’s photos and mementos.