Old Shutter Ideas: 15 Thrifted Shutter Projects That Make Your Porch Look Like a Christmas Card

Old Shutter Ideas are popping up everywhere this season, and it is easy to see why. A pair of chippy wooden shutters costs a few dollars at a thrift store, salvage yard or yard sale, yet it can become a snowman greeter, a Christmas card holder, a rustic tree or a cozy headboard. One video about homeowners falling in love with old shutters drew more than a hundred likes on MSN, and a snowman shutter reel passed 32,000 reactions on Facebook. These 15 projects are simple, budget friendly and perfect for grown ups who love farmhouse charm. Just remember that old paint can contain lead, so test it and seal it instead of sanding indoors..

Old Shutter Ideas: Snowman Shutters for the Porch

Snowman shutters are the friendliest of all Old Shutter Ideas, and they greet every guest with a smile. Paint a pair of white shutters with coal eyes, rosy cheeks and a carrot nose, add a black top hat, then tie a real knit scarf around each one. One snowman shutter reel by a vintage decor creator on Facebook passed 32,000 reactions. Stand them on each side of the door with evergreen planters. Would your snowmen wear red or plaid scarves..

You will need: 2 old shutters, white exterior paint, black and orange paint, pink paint for cheeks, 2 knit scarves, a lead test kit, clear outdoor sealer.

How to make it: 1. Test old paint for lead, then clean and seal or repaint the shutters outdoors. 2. Paint the hat, eyes, nose, cheeks and buttons near the top. 3. Seal, tie on the scarves and stand them by the door.

Shutter Christmas Card Holder

Louvered shutters were practically made to hold Christmas cards. Lean one against the wall in the entry and slip each card into the slats as it arrives in the mail. Add a little evergreen swag with a red bow on top and it becomes a growing holiday display. After the holidays it holds mail and notes. Where do your Christmas cards usually end up?

You will need: An old louvered shutter, a small evergreen swag, a ribbon bow, a wall anchor or furniture strap.

How to make it: 1. Clean the shutter and seal any chipped paint. 2. Lean it on a console and secure it to the wall with a strap. 3. Tie the swag to the top and add cards as they arrive.

Old Shutter Ideas: Porch Sign With a Wreath

A tall shutter beside the front door is one of the easiest Old Shutter Ideas for the porch. Hang a fresh wreath with a plaid bow on it, and set a lantern with battery fairy lights and a small sled at the bottom. It fills an empty wall and makes the entry look layered and welcoming. Change the wreath for each season. What color would your shutter be?

You will need: A tall old shutter, a wreath, a plaid ribbon, a wreath hook or nail, a lantern with battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Clean, seal and stand the shutter beside the door, securing it with a hook. 2. Hang the wreath with a ribbon loop. 3. Style the base with a lantern and greenery.

Leaning Shutter Christmas Tree

This might be the most clever of all the Old Shutter Ideas: cut a few old shutters into different lengths and stack them into a triangle for a rustic tree that never drops needles. Screw them to two back boards, paint them soft white, and top them with a wooden star. Drape fairy lights and pine cone ornaments across the slats. It is perfect for a porch or a small apartment. Would you add lights or keep it simple?

You will need: 2 or 3 old shutters, a saw, 2 wood strips for the back, screws, a drill, white paint, a wooden star, battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, cut the shutters into 5 pieces from long to short. 2. Screw them in a stacked triangle onto two back strips. 3. Paint, add the star on top and drape the lights.

Old Shutter Ideas: Mail and Key Station

Mount a short shutter sideways near the door and it turns into a handy mail and key station. Letters slide into the slats, and brass hooks along the bottom hold keys, leashes and scarves. A tiny pine sprig makes it festive for December. It is one of the most useful Old Shutter Ideas, and it keeps the holiday rush organized. Where do your keys usually hide?

You will need: A short old shutter, paint, 4 to 6 brass hooks, a reclaimed wood strip, wall anchors and screws.

How to make it: 1. Paint the shutter and let it dry. 2. Screw the wood strip along the bottom and add the hooks. 3. Mount it horizontally on the wall with anchors.

Shutter Headboard for a Guest Room

Four tall shutters side by side make a charming headboard for a guest room. Paint them white or a soft color, screw them together from the back, and mount them to the wall behind the bed. Add plaid flannel bedding and a small wreath for holiday guests. It costs far less than a store bought headboard and looks like a cozy inn. Who will sleep in your guest room this Christmas?

You will need: 4 tall old shutters, paint, 2 wood strips, screws, a drill, wall anchors, a small wreath.

How to make it: 1. Clean, seal and paint the shutters. 2. Screw them together with two strips across the back. 3. Anchor the headboard firmly to the wall behind the bed.

How to Pick Old Shutters With Character

The best shutters for these projects have chippy paint, solid frames and slats that are not broken. Look at thrift stores, salvage yards and online marketplaces, and ask neighbors who are replacing theirs. Old paint can contain lead, so test it with a kit from the hardware store, never sand it indoors, and seal it with a clear coat. You can learn more about lead paint safety from the EPA lead page. Have you spotted any shutters at your local thrift shop?

You will need: A lead paint test kit, gloves, a mask, a damp cloth, clear sealer.

How to make it: 1. Check the frame and slats for rot or breaks. 2. Test the paint for lead and wear gloves. 3. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and seal before using indoors.

Shutter Garden Trellis for Winter Greens

An old shutter makes a pretty backdrop for a winter planter. Stand it behind a pot filled with evergreen boughs, red dogwood branches and pine cones, and it adds height and charm to a bare garden corner. In spring, the same shutter becomes a trellis for climbing plants. It is one of those Old Shutter Ideas that works all year long. Which corner of your yard needs some love?

You will need: An old shutter, 2 garden stakes, zip ties, a large planter, evergreen boughs, red twigs, pine cones.

How to make it: 1. Push two stakes into the ground and zip tie the shutter to them. 2. Set the planter in front. 3. Fill it with soil or foam and arrange the greens and branches.

Shutter Mantel Backdrop

Two tall shutters standing behind a mantel create a farmhouse backdrop that frames everything in front. Hang a wreath in the middle, drape garland across the shelf, and the whole wall feels finished. It works beautifully on a fake mantel or a console table too. Make sure they are secured to the wall so they cannot tip. What would you hang between your shutters?

You will need: 2 tall old shutters, paint or sealer, L brackets or furniture straps, a wreath, a garland.

How to make it: 1. Seal the shutters and stand them on the mantel ends. 2. Secure them to the wall with brackets. 3. Hang the wreath between them and add the garland.

Shutter Coat Rack With Hooks

A bright red shutter mounted on the mudroom wall makes a cheerful coat rack for winter. Screw sturdy iron hooks along the bottom rail for coats, hats and tote bags. It adds color to a plain entry and gives everyone a place to hang their things when they come in from the snow. Paint it to match your front door. How many hooks does your family need?

You will need: An old shutter, red paint, 4 to 6 iron hooks, wall anchors, screws, a drill.

How to make it: 1. Clean, seal and paint the shutter red. 2. Screw the hooks along the lower rail. 3. Mount the shutter on the wall into studs or anchors.

Shutter Photo Display With Clips

Clip family photos and holiday cards to the slats of an old shutter for a gallery wall that is easy to change. Mini clothespins hold everything in place, and a little garland on top makes it festive. It is a lovely way to show off photos from Christmas past. When January comes, swap in new pictures. Which photos would you clip first?

You will need: An old louvered shutter, mini clothespins, photo prints, a small garland, wall hooks.

How to make it: 1. Hang the shutter on two sturdy wall hooks. 2. Clip photos and cards to the slats. 3. Drape a small garland across the top.

Old Shutter Ideas: Shutter Window Box

Shutters and window boxes are a classic pair, and a few short shutter pieces can even become the box itself. Cut the slatted panels to size, screw them into a box shape with a solid bottom, and fill it with evergreens and berries for winter. It is one of the prettiest Old Shutter Ideas for the front of the house. For more outdoor ideas, see our front porch planters. Which window would you dress up?

You will need: Short shutter pieces, a wood board for the bottom, screws, a drill, brackets, liner, evergreens and berries.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, cut shutter pieces for the front, back and sides. 2. Screw them to a bottom board and add a liner. 3. Mount it under the window and fill with greens.

Shutter Tray With Handles

A short piece of shutter becomes a charming serving tray with two handles screwed on the ends. Add a thin board underneath so mugs sit flat, then use it to carry cocoa and cookies to the living room. It also looks great on an ottoman next to a small battery lantern. It makes a sweet handmade gift too. Who would you serve cocoa to first?

You will need: A short shutter piece, a thin plywood board, 2 drawer handles, screws, wood glue, paint or sealer.

How to make it: 1. Glue and screw the plywood to the back of the shutter piece. 2. Paint or seal the tray. 3. Screw a handle onto each end.

Painted Gingerbread House Shutters

Turn a pair of shutters into giant gingerbread cookies for the porch. Paint them warm brown, add white icing style trim with a paint pen, then candy cane stripes and big gumdrop buttons. They are playful, sweet and make kids and grown ups grin. Pair them with snowman shutters for a full holiday crew. Would you add a candy cane to each side?

You will need: 2 old shutters, brown, white, red and green paint, a white paint pen, outdoor sealer.

How to make it: 1. Paint the shutters brown and let them dry. 2. Draw icing trim, stripes and gumdrops. 3. Seal them and stand them by the door.

Old Shutter Ideas: Bathroom Shelf

A narrow shutter with two shelves attached makes perfect storage above the toilet. Rolled towels, a small plant and a tiny tree make it festive for holiday guests. It adds farmhouse style and space in one easy weekend project. It is a handy way to end this list of Old Shutter Ideas. What would you store on yours?

You will need: A narrow old shutter, 2 wood shelves, L brackets, screws, wall anchors, paint or sealer.

How to make it: 1. Seal or paint the shutter. 2. Attach two shelves with L brackets. 3. Mount it securely above the toilet with anchors.