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Home » Recycled Crafts » 21 Things to do with an old crib

21 Things to do with an old crib

May 20, 2022 By Jamie Dorobek 16 Comments

Cribs are the perfect up-cycle project because what else are you going to do with an old crib when your kiddos out grow it? Typically, you can turn a crib into a toddler bed, but after that it’s not very useful. Before you toss the crib, consider using a little DIY magic and up cycle it into a bench, desk, craft organizer, or even a wagon! Below are 21 things you can do with an old crib including create new furniture and even organize with crib rails.

21 Creative ways to use an old crib

Turn old cribs into furniture

Just because your baby has outgrown the crib does not mean it’s time to give it away. Have you considered turning the crib into a desk, bench or a dog crate?

1. Child’s desk

Simply remove the side rail, and raise the bottom of the crib up to turn it into a desk. I also love that she added chalkboard paint to the desk top. Check out Little Learning for Two for more pictures and details.

DIY desk made out of a crib

2. Chair

This crib transformation takes a little elbow grease, but it’s worth it! For more details on how this crib was turned into a chair, check out Start at Home.

Upcycle an old crib into a chair

3. Bench

Christina converted her crib to a day bed and then sawed off the legs to make it the right height. For more details check out 2 Little Hooligans.

Porch bench made out of a crib

4. Dog crate

Gail added wheels and a solid wood top to create a beautiful extra large dog crate. For the complete tutorial, check out My Repurposed Life.

DIY dog crate out of a crib

Organizers

Who knew the rails of a crib could be used to organize everything from plates to books to craft supplies?

5. Plate rack

Turn the side of a crib vertical and use to hang plates. Genius! For the complete tutorial hop over to Remodelholic.

crib rail plate display

6. Magazine rack

This project is as simple as leaning the side of a crib vertically against the wall and slipping magazines over the rails. Oringially via on Blue Cricket.

crib rail magazine holder

7. Wall hanging

Brittany used the crib mattress springs as an adorable wall hanging and adorned it with sweet memories of her babies. For more details, check out The Painted Parsonage.

what to do with an old crib8. Cork  board alternative

Holly used an antique metal crib frame as cork board alternative. Adorable! Fore more pictures, check out Life as a Thrifter.

mattress springs as artwork

9. Jewelry organizer

Becky turned a dainty crib rail into a jewelry organizer. How clever is that? For more details, check out Farm girl Paints.

Jewelry organizer made out of a crib

10. Fabric organizer

Amy anchored a crib rail to the wall to store her collection of vintage sheets. For the complete tutorial, check out Gabriel’s Good Tidings.

Old crib DIY projects

11. Craft organizer

The Crafty Nest turned a crib rail vertical and uses it organize her most used craft supplies.

Crib turned craft station

12. Book shelf

All you need to do to make this simple bookshelf is turn a crib rail vertically and lean it against the wall. Voila! For more pictures, check out Makely.

Crib rail turned book organizer

Cribs turned toys

Get max fun out of a a cirb, and turn it into a new toy. The crib turned playhouse below is so fun and creative!

13. Wagon

It’s basically a mini crib on wheels! It’s the cutest wagon you’ve ever seen complete with a swinging door. For all of the details, check out Tidbits.

How to turn a crib into a wagon

14. Chalkboard

A crib head and foot board can easily be turned into an easel wit ha few hinges. You could also consider attaching one side to the wall or fence for a simple chalkboard for the kids. For more details, check out Prodigal Pieces.

Repurpose a crib into a chalkboard

15. Easel

Turn a crib headboard and footboard into an easel with a few hinges. Image oringially from The Red Kitchen.

Crib turned chalkboard easel

16. Playhouse

Turn a crib upside down for an adorable playhouse! Image via the pink butterfly.

Turn a crib into a playhouse

17. Upside down crib

Turn a crib into a fort toddler bed by flipping the crib upside down and putting the mattress on the ground. Wild! For more information, check out Clever Housewife.

Crib to toddler bed with fort

18. Loft toddler bed

Adriel modified her crib to make a loft toddler bed complete with storage underneath for larger toys. This is the perfect solution for a small space. For the complete tutorial, check out Adriel Booken.

DIY loft toddler bed

Crib garden projects

Consider turning your un used crib into a planter, trellis or even a porch swing!

19. Herb garden

Cynthia built simple garden box to fit inside of the antique crib. Instead of a baby bed, it’s a garden bed. For more details, check out Cynthia Weber.

Turn a crib into an herb garden

20. Trellis

Turn the crib rails vertical and secure them to a fence for a gorgeous new rose trellis. Image via Daves Garden.

recycle a crib

21. Porch swing

Turn a crib headboard and foot board into a porch swing with a few power tools. For the complete tutorial, check out Lolly Jane.

Crib turned porch swing

What do you do with old cribs? Have you ever turned it into something new? I’d love to hear…

If you love up cycled furniture, you will love these posts:

  • Garden planters
  • Pallet projects
  • Paint chip projects
  • DIY light fixtures

Filed Under: DIY Nursery Ideas, Recycled Crafts

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Comments

  1. Barbara Golder says

    September 15, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    I have an adorable old crib. I mean, maybe from early 1900’s. I would like to donate it to someone who would use it to make something with. I think you would have to pick it up. I live in Massachusetts. I will send a photo. It has 2 adorable pictures that might be hand painted.

    Reply
    • Ed says

      October 2, 2021 at 4:36 am

      I’m interested. I live in western Massachusetts.

      Reply
  2. Orline says

    January 26, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    Love them all but don’t have ababy

    Reply
  3. amber says

    August 27, 2013 at 1:12 am

    I was desperate for a large piece of art, so I used the wire frame from my son’s old crib to make something for over our front door. I think it turned out pretty great, and when I replace it with something else, I’ll have the trippiest frame to train my beans, evah!
    http://www.lovenestdesign.com/fixing-up-the-foyer/

    I really like some of these ideas….

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      August 27, 2013 at 5:02 pm

      Oh wow! What a fun, FREE idea! Thanks for sharing, Amber!

      Reply
  4. Tracy S says

    May 28, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    These are great ideas. I have some crib left over after making 2 projects already. First a display for my son’s track ribbons- http://athomewithsweett.blogspot.com/2012/10/sports-ribbon-display-option-2.html?m=1
    2nd a display for my daughter’s swim ribbons- http://athomewithsweett.blogspot.com/2012/09/display-for-sports-ribbons-repurpose.html?m=1

    Reply
  5. Christina @ No. 29 Design says

    May 21, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    I turned my retired crib drawer into a toy storage bin on wheels. I covered it with fabric first and it now fits perfectly under a twin bed.
    http://www.no29design.com/2012/02/my-recycled-crib-drawer.html

    Reply
  6. Jen @ de Jong Dream House says

    May 18, 2013 at 8:09 am

    So many great ideas. We turned our son’s crib into a magazine rack for our bathroom: http://www.dejongdreamhouse.com/2012/05/repurposing-crib-as-magazine-rack.html

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      May 20, 2013 at 7:27 pm

      Looks awesome! Thank you for sharing, Jen!

      Reply
    • April says

      March 11, 2020 at 8:12 pm

      How would u turn a baby bed into a makeup vanity

      Reply
  7. Ale says

    May 18, 2013 at 5:44 am

    Hallo! nice ideas for upcycling a crib! For the moment I just have a new crib for my baby who is due to come “yestarday”… But it’s good to have already some tips for reuse it! TnX

    Reply
  8. Patti says

    May 17, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    Wow, talk about clever…I especially love the kids’ desk & outdoor loveseat.

    Reply
  9. Laura @ The Experimental Home says

    May 17, 2013 at 11:18 am

    What fun ideas… Maybe I should take the dropside crib that has been in my father-in-laws attic for 30 years. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Abby says

    May 17, 2013 at 11:11 am

    My plan for the weekend is to hang the railing from my son’s crib to the ceiling in the laundry room and have it as a hanging rack that is not in the way.

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      May 20, 2013 at 1:38 am

      That’s a great idea! I’d love to see a pic!

      Reply
    • Sonya York says

      February 23, 2014 at 12:24 am

      Love to see after pictures

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Jamie!
I Create Really Awesome Free Things for your home, wardrobe, kitchen, and kids in Austin, TX with the sometimes help of Andy!
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