13 nifty ways to upcycle cabinets nobody ever told you

You might be tired of those old dated cabinets in your kitchen, but it's possible to salvage them and create something new. We've scoured the web and found some simple do-it-yourself projects that use entire cabinets to create functional new pieces of furniture, as well as some projects that transform the doors into useful items, statement pieces and awesome play spaces for kids.

For those of you who aren't in the middle of a kitchen renovation, don't fret. You can find cabinets like these at secondhand shops, yard sales or salvage businesses. The ways to reuse kitchen cabinets are limited only by your creativity.

With a little TLC, some wooden feet and a fresh coat of paint, you can easily create this kids' craft station. It's perfect for small spaces or for kids who don't like sitting at a traditional desk.

Turn those old cabinets into tiny little cabinets your kids will love and cherish. Depending on what kind of cabinets you have to work with you, can play around with the "kitchen" layout. We just can't get enough of this adorable DIY project!

Instead of buying all new cabinets, upgrade your look. Decor and the Dog shows how to transform boring flat cabinets into custom creations that will look like they were just installed by a professional.

Turn an old cabinet from a flea market into a chic beverage station that can hold your favorite glassware and drinks, such as this one from Petticoat Junktion. This cabinet can go on a backyard patio or indoors. The top can serve as serving space for a small buffet or station to create drinks.

Turn a section of old cabinets into something useful by breathing new life into them. My Fabuless Life shows you how simply adding a fresh coat of paint, pretty new handles and a wooden top create a totally customized piece of furniture for a home.

Once a cabinet door is off its hinges, it can find new life as a chalkboard surface. Creative blogger Holly Baker says all you're going to need is chalkboard paint and possibly some new trim color to brighten up this piece.

Turn old, tired cabinets into a beautiful headboard for your bedroom with help from tips at Jen Thousands Words. You can paint them however you like, but crisp white creates a classic look.

Transform an old cabinet into this cute little mug holder. Picking paint and choosing a saying might be the hardest part. We love how you're reusing a kitchen cabinet for something that ends right back up in the kitchen.

Use an old cabinet to create a piece of wall art or to simply stencil a favorite saying. The dimensions on a smaller cabinet door lend themselves perfectly to this project.

If you have a bunch of cabinets to get rid of, find ways to incorporate them throughout your home. This mail holder lets you toss letters in the basket, put your keys on the hook. Apply chalkboard paint to allow reminder notes.

Big picture frames can be pricey! Instead, turn old kitchen cabinets into beautiful frames worthy of being hung front-and-center in your home.

This sideboard looks like it came out of a shabby-chic magazine, but it was actually created by a Pinterest user. Kara Mcentire replaced the glass with chicken wire — you could do glass or something else — and added table legs to the bottom. A new top and a fresh coat of paint led to this useful piece.

13. A floating shelf
Do you have an old shelf hanging off the ends of your cabinets? Turn that dated piece into a floating shelf by simply turning it on its side and adding a fresh coat of paint.