Five Fun Uses For Old Screens

Don’t throw out your old screens! This is especially true if you purchase an old home to renovate. Some of those older screens are just busting with charm. Believe it or not, this makes them perfect to decorate with or repurpose into another functional use for the home. Just like old windows, vintage screens have a lot to offer with a little TLC. If you are having trouble visualizing a use, don’t worry! Here are some of the top uses for old screens inside the home.

uses for old screens

Top Uses For Old Screens

Turn A Small Screen Into A Rustic Sign

Even if you don’t have any old screens just lying around, you can find them for sale at flea markets or antique stores. I picked up this small screen from an antique store.  It is very rusted and old and I of course just loved the look!  I figured it would be perfect for some wall art.

Since I had some steampunk-style metal floral pieces on hand, I decided on the theme “Bloom Where You Are Planted”.  The metal flowers compliment the frame nicely I think.  I attached the floral pieces and rhinestone centers with jewelry adhesive:

old screen sign

Then, I stenciled my message on a vintage newspaper print paper and decoupaged it onto the screen.  Finally, I decoupaged a coordinating paper to the back to add a little more color and bring out the rusty brown on the frame.

For hanging, I attached a section of bark-covered wire with E6000 craft glue.  I was going to keep this for myself but ended up selling it.  Now I will be on the lookout for more unique old screens!

Paint Directly On A Screen

how to paint on an old screen

Source: Prodigal Pieces

Out of all of the uses for old screens, signs are probably my favorite. You can easily paint directly on a screen to make any sign or graphic. A chic idea is to use white paint. It’s subtle but still easy to read.

Use Old Screens To Make A Breathable Hamper

Source: Country Home

A very functional use for old screens would be to make a hamper like this rustic-looking one.  The airflow that you get through the screens is perfect for a hamper. Since the hamper is so decorative, it makes doing laundry more fun…..o.k. that’s a stretch! It does make a laundry room more inviting though.

Create An Ornament Display

old screen christmas ornament display

Source: Fresh Vintage By Lisa S

When you have more than enough Christmas ornaments for your tree, hang them on a screen! This makes such a pretty display for the holidays. This particular screen was from an old door which is a perfect size for all of the ornaments.

Make A Jewelry Holder With A Vintage Screen

SOURCE: The Painted Home

Jewelry organizers are very popular and using a screen to hold earrings and necklaces is a perfect idea. The old screens with wood frames are charming enough to have on display.

Create A Photo Holder

SOURCE: Salvaged Curiosities

Along the same lines as the jewelry holder, this screen holds photos. This example, for a picture board, uses straight pins to attach the pictures through the screen.  Since screen mesh is made of metal, you could also make a message or picture board using magnets.

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Creating rustic styling on a budget by giving new life to old things and using the beauty that is already found in nature. Read more about me.
10 comments
  1. So cute and a creative way to use up old screen. I just found some in my garage and now you’ve got me inspired to do something with it! Thanks for sharing!

  2. I love all of these screen uses, especially the hamper. Thanks for linking this too. 🙂

  3. LOVE your screen – what a fun little saying and the vintage bling really adds charm!

    Of course, I now Need that hamper too!

    So glad you joined our Cinch party! New Linky follower
    Kelly

  4. Cool ideas!

  5. I love the wall art- and the ideas for using old window screens. I haven’t seen a lot of old screens around but I will now be on the lookout for them, just my style! I would love if you would share this with my linky party- Scout’s Sweet Sundays!

    1. I will do that Zoe!

  6. So cute and creative!

  7. Great ideas!

  8. You are so right — these screen ideas are great! Love what you did with your little screen!

    1. Thanks Lauren! It was fun to work with!

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