Shutterboards may be an eyesore. Here are 13 ways to revamp them instead

If you have old, peeling, and battered shutter boards on the front of your home -- we understand why you'd be in a hurry to get rid of them. But before you rip them off and toss them to the curb, you should probably read this list of diy projects.
Just because your shutters look terrible on the front of your home doesn't mean you can't transform them into something totally new, functional and special for your home. In fact, most of the time all they need is a fresh coat of paint and a little love -- as well as a little bit of vision.
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If you don't have shutters to work with, rest assured you can find these at garage sales and home sales for cheap all the time. And believe us, you're going to be hunting for them once you see all the cool things you can do with an old shutter board! Check out the list below to get started.
1. Hallway tree
Firstly -- look at that color! We can't get enough of that robin's egg blue. Plus, this shabby-chic hall tree looks like it was just plucked from the pages of a glossy magazine. You can easily turn those unsightly shutters into this gorgeous statement piece with a little help from the DIY over at Life at the Cottage.
2. Home command center
Ready-made wall organizers can cost $100 or more, but you can make this one-of-a-kind version for the cost of some cork and a couple of clipboards. Not only is this homemade version bursting with character, but you can also customize it to match your existing decor. Get the full tutorial here.
3. Hanging jar organizer (h/t Made by Marzipan)
Upgrade an old shutterboard into a hanging jar organizer with the help of mason jars. In this case, you can build out a craft supply organizer by filling the different jars with various craft supplies.
4. Headboard (h/t The Lettered Cottage)
Those old tattered shutters might look like a nightmare on the front of your home, but we assure you that with a fresh coat of paint and some TLC they'll help you drift off to dreamland. This diy project is super simple and adds a lot of great texture to your space -- a great upcycling project!
5. Succulent holder (h/t My Repurposed Life)
This creative and stunning spin is so artfully executed we bet you can't wait to try this in your own home. Give an old shutter board new life through a fresh coat of paint. Then, hang your favorite succulents in metal tin pots. The tin pots make it easily to switch out the plants all year round.
6. Rustic arbor DIY (h/t Scavenger Chic)
If you want to really put those old tattered shutters to good use, try this arbor DIY. Pick up some old shutterboards from an old local salvage yard; you might just be surprised with how many free ones you can get! This particular project will be the star of your backyard!
7. Kitchen island (h/t Beyond the Picket Fence)
Create a moveable kitchen island with the help of some old shutter boards. We love the textured lines this adds to the piece, and it's a lot more interesting than just using old wood. Although, you will need a nice piece of butcher's block to top this beauty off.
8. Plate rack (h/t Laurie Annas)
Now this is smart and crafty! By using the slats in the shutter, you can stand up your plates. Then, by adding some hooks you can attach mugs. This is an awesome craft for a pantry, coffee bar or even a small apartment that's short on space.
9. Coffee tray
A farmhouse chic coffee tray makes for beautiful decor and a lovely gesture of hospitality. Repurposing antique or vintage items such as shutters, windows, ladders and wood palettes has been trending, and it’s easy to see why. Get the full tutorial here.
10. Bench (h/t Liz Marie Blog)
Turn a big long shutter board into a beautiful bench for your home. This will look great as a dining table bench, or even a dressing bench for the end of your bed. Get creative with color and the wooden legs you choose to create your personalized country and shabby chic look.
11. Console table
These long and skinny shutters will make the perfect console table for your entryway, hallway or living room. Actually, it'll look good just about anywhere. Plus, it's easy to put together. Get the full tutorial here.
12. Towel rack (h/t Ask Anna Moseley)
We adore this diy! Simply paint your shutter whatever color you want -- or keep its natural rustic finish -- and add some beautiful new knobs. The glass ones here are adorable, but you can go for whatever finish will match your home. This project not only looks great but is totally functional, too.
13. Night stand (h/t Castle Lemon)
Is this inventive, or what? What's great about this night stand is that it doesn't take up a whole lot of room physically or visually. But, it sure does look great. Simply screw your shutters into the wall and add a shelf at the height of your bed to achieve this look.
14. Plant stand
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The end result is a stunning piece of furniture that friends will think you ordered from a favorite high-end furniture store. This project works well if you want to always keep a piece of your first home with you, and would make a useful gift for that someone special in your life. The best part is it's surprisingly quick and easy. Get the full tutorial here.