7 Ways to Repurpose These Old House Features

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Old dwelling house often have plenty ofmagical featuresand magic spell , but they also might have characteristics that no longer dish their original purpose . So what do you do if your home has one of thesequirky honest-to-goodness featuresthat you do n’t plan to use , like a wardrobe that ’s too pocket-sized , a theme cellar , or a Dutch door ? or else of getting disembarrass of these feature on the whole , you might be able to give them a flake of an update to make them more utilitarian . Here are some ways to repurpose onetime house features into something a bit more functional for today ’s need .

1. Repurpose a Phone Nook

With fewer people keep their demesne telephone lines these days , the phone corner or headphone cubby seems less usable the past yoke of decennary . Yet these nooks offer quite the case to old homes . Depending on its sizing , an old telephone set corner can be transformed into a small shelf to display books or a spot for a sign of the zodiac flora . If there ’s already electric nearby , consider turn it into a saddle station for smartphones and tablets . If you need towire an wall socket to a speech sound nook , take these precaution .

2. Update the Root Cellar

Many old house stylesincluded a root cellar that was once used to store vegetables , canned goods , and maybe even coal . Those who are n’t canning probably do n’t see themselves getting much economic consumption out of the space . The adept news is that depending on the place , an sometime root cellar might easily translate into a functional room that can get plenty of use . Consider adding a home gym , workshop , office , or even a playroom . To witness out if it ’s a workable space for converting , talk to a reputable builder .

3. Convert an Old Porch

Although porches are making a rejoinder , an subject - air or sort - in porch might offer practical use only in summer . Convert it into a three - season porch . While this can be a costly investiture , it ’s one worth considering since , depending on the local climate and extent of the renovation , it could be a great outdoor living space for three out of the four season . Thecost of adding a sun lounge , as an good example , average out $ 30,000 and can run up to $ 80,000 , but it might be a smart investment in the home base ’s economic value .

“ It ’s estimated that a sunroom conversion restoration retain 72 percentage of its value over time . That ’s an impressive boost for homeowners who need to enjoy the renovation now , but plan to reap the benefits from a future sale , ” statesPella Windows and door .

4. Rethink a Too-Small Closet

Many old homes have closets that are just too low or are located in a spot in the planetary house that makes them a second unuseful . Try convert a too - little loo into a reading nook . This can be a wide-eyed DIY projection accomplished by dispatch the door , sum some cushions , a bean bag chair , or agood reading pillow , plus a lamp to create a cozy reading spot .

5. Repurpose a Dutch Door

Dutch door , also make love as one-half and split doors , were once all the rage , but it ’s rare to find them these day . These doors have two sections and split in the middle so the top can swing out open while maintain the bottom half closed , and vice versa . If the Dutch door on your home has outlive its intention , try giving it a novel exercise by call on it into a coffee bean table or even a headboard . There are plenty ofnew role for old door .

6. Update a Laundry Chute or Dumbwaiter

With many Americans looking to long time in place and make their current homes more manageable , some might consider update an old laundry slide to put back in Robert William Service or into a food elevator — anold house feature we believe should be keptif you ’re lucky enough to have one . A food elevator is a lot like a small lift that operates via a pulley system and make it easy to transport laundry or other item both up and down between floors . While it might not wash and shut down the clothes , a food elevator can go into a space fill by an sometime laundry chute and make move washing , toys , grocery , and even snacks from one trading floor to another a whole lot easy .

7. Give an Old Ironing Board Cabinet New Life

Some quondam homes have an former press board cabinet in a sleeping room , hallway , or laundry expanse that occupants do n’t see themselves using . That in - bulwark or in - console space can be utilitarian for other purposes , however . Depending on the placement , it could be a great spot to showcase magniloquent decor like a faux works , repurpose with shelves to make a spice stand , or evenadd shelvesfor other storage .

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . study why we look at this restoration the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to quell on budget .

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