Used gutters can be repurposed for brilliant new projects around the home or office. Made for easy modification, aluminum and plastic gutters are quickly cut to any size with basic tools and their u-shaped designs create a host of unique possibilities. Re-purposing household waste reduces our impact on the planet.
Gutter Gardens
The most popular idea for transforming old gutters into new projects comes from creative gardeners. Old gutters are great for maximizing gardening potential in confined spaces. Compact yet complex planter systems ranging from freestanding staircase designs to gutters stacked above each other on exterior walls give gardeners more room to grow. Some gardeners have also made overhead vertical gardens from old gutters. This layout has been especially popular for strawberry crops. Old gutters from the 1970s and earlier tend to be coated with lead paint. Gardeners should avoid using these dated gutters as food planters.
Gutter Shelving
Another popular use for old gutters is transforming them into shelving. A quick search of Google images reveals all sorts of neat ideas to make gutter shelves. Books, toys, and other items can be stored on gutter shelves. Of course, not all used gutters are suitable for this but they can actually look really good. A gutter’s u-shaped form is also ideal for durable utility shelving in the garage, woodshop, basement, art studio and more.
Gutter downspouts are perfect storage units for various kinds of long and skinny supplies such as glass, metal, plastic and wooden rods which, for one reason or another, need to be separated. Hidden shelving for wiring under desks, shoe racks perfect for high heels and discrete canned food pantries are three other common shelving ideas for old gutters.
Picnic Table Gutter Coolers
An intriguing use for an old length of gutter comes is to repurpose it in the center of a picnic table. Install in the center of a picnic table or the armrests of yard swings for intimate get togethers or personal enjoyment. Use a much longer piece of gutter as an ice cooler for large outdoor parties.
Gutters And Art
Repurposed gutters used as art materials are pliable enough to build an infinite number of sculptures only limited by an artist’s interests. Public sculptures in Sao Paulo, Brazil have famously focused on transforming old gutters into public art pieces. Funky picture frames are being made from old gutters as well. Again, the pliable nature of the material makes them a no fuss choice with an industrial look.
Repurposed Rainwater From Repurposed Gutters
Taking a further step towards conservation than the above projects, utilizing old gutters as a component in rain water collection systems conquers both issues of industrial waste – throwing out old gutters – as well as water shortages which are due to increase over the following decade. As with using old gutters for planting food, gutters turned into parts for a rainwater collection system need to be free of lead and other toxins. Again, one rule of thumb is gutters dating back to the 1970s and earlier probably contain lead and other toxins. Gutters dated after the 1970s should be researched for their properties if it is possible to identify their manufacturer or, at least, style.
Time To Create
Gardens in gutters, new shelving from old gutters, ice coolers from gutters and rainwater collection systems built from old gutters are all projects most of us can tackle with a little imagination and basic tools. Every variation added to the general idea broadens efforts to confront waste. Creating a vertical garden or multi-tiered corner display shelf has never been easier. Don’t waste. Create. Add your creativity to the repurposing community. Expand your storage. Expand your garden. Thrill dinner guests.
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