54 Creative Ideas for Decorating with Old Shutters
Using old shutters in home decor can infuse your space with a vintage or rustic ambiance. These versatile pieces can be converted into wall art, garden features, or quirky organizational tools, bringing a creative twist to traditional decorations.
Start your decorating journey with these charming ideas to reuse old shutters.
Shabby Chic Window Headboard
Dim grays and ocean hues adorn the bedspread, adding a unique charm to the room. The bedside table, painted inconsistently in off-gray, matches the bedspread and floor perfectly.
The weathered shutters, available in a multitude of colors, turn shabbiness into a breathtaking fashion statement.
Charming and Decorative Plate Display
White plates with charming ridges hang on repurposed slats, providing an elegant touch. Flanked by shutters, they frame an ornate mirror, creating a window-like illusion.
Beyond dining, many display their fine china in cabinets or hutches, adding a decorative element to their homes.
DIY Shutter Kitchen Tool Organizer
A bright yellow stripe brings a cheerful vibe to the white walls. Hooks and towel racks offer plenty of storage by holding baskets neatly in place.
Knives are arranged on a slant for easy access, while hooks above let utensils dangle conveniently. The shutters have been cleverly repurposed into a handy kitchen organizer, making everything tidy and accessible.
DIY Headboard with Curtains
A curtain rod above the slats drapes airy curtains on either side of the bed. The bedspread shows soft, gentle waves, and the calming lamplight creates a mermaid-like atmosphere.
This design uses shutters as the headboard, giving the room a unique vibe.
Window Shutter Toilet Paper Holder
Turning an antique shade into a toilet tissue holder reveals the creativity of a DIYer. The mounted basket on the slats provides space for extra rolls and towels.
Meanwhile, the bar below holds the current roll, making the bathroom both functional and visually appealing.
Hanging Poolside, Off The Beach, In The Mud Room
Mount faucet accents in the pool house or mudroom for wet bathing suits and towels. Arrange several shutters with hanging utensils and mounted baskets to frame a bathroom mirror.
Protect the wood on a shutter with a heavy-duty, oil-based paint.
Vintage And Retro, So Happy Together
The imperfect whitewash paint on the shutters contrasts beautifully with the dark wood table. Hosting blooming orchids, they look elegant and un-fussy.
You don't need to hide a well-loved table, even one with nicks and scratches.
Antique Shutter and Wreath Wall Decoration
A wreath pulls everything together. The sleek sky-blue table below looks stunning with the addition of these antique shutters.
A DIYer rescued the old brown slats and the equally aged blue ones from the trash. Most people wouldn’t have given them a second glance.
DIY Old Window Shutter Bench
The legs of the bench are painted opaque white, contrasting beautifully with the aged and flaking slats. This stunning piece of furniture made from old shutters is a brilliant blend of vintage charm and modern style.
Creativity took a leap, turning an old shutter into something unique and captivating.
At The Head
Refresh your bedroom décor with sturdy, larger shutters. A basic bed frame becomes unique when you add a headboard from matching shutters.
For a restful sleep, choose cool wall paint colors like slate and stone.
Vintage Shutter Hall Tree with Mirror
Panels are creatively integrated into the furniture, featuring floor-length shutters as the backdrop for a vintage vanity-inspired table. A round mirror is mounted on these panels, adding a unique touch.
Mossy green paint gives the piece a blend of youthful and antique charm.
Freshen Up A Throwback Color Trend
Minimalist dark purple bows look posh and neat against gray painted shutters. Many embrace this trend through nail polish and lipstick.
The ’90s are back, bringing colorful accents in vampy, dramatic purples into the crafting world.
Every Day Were Shufflin
Keep everyone in your home organized by repurposing an old shutter in your entryway. Attach a basket for mail, use clothespins to hold to-do lists, grocery lists, receipts, and bills.
Add a charging cord station to ensure you stay on schedule, even when life gets hectic.
Upcycled Window Shutter Shelving Unit
Decorations on the shelf resemble those you’d find in a cozy log cabin. Ingenious removable shelves allow for constant height adjustments, thanks to the slats.
Each shelf balances on a ledge hooked over the shade’s ridges. Cover stretches across the top, and shutters have been converted into a shelving unit.
Easy DIY Antique Shelf
An antique shelf stands against shutters, showcasing flawless white dishes on its pale gray surface. The rounded top of the shelf adds an extra touch of vintage charm.
Shelves are meticulously attached to the frame, completing the classic look.
Make It Door Greeter, Not Floor Greeter
Greet your guests warmly with a French door shutter at eye level instead of the usual Welcome mat. This stylish touch can adapt throughout the year with interchangeable signs for family birthdays, seasonal messages, or a re-writable chalk paint sign.
It’s a creative way to add personalized charm to your home.
Old-Timey Multi-Media Shutters
Start by painting your own view if the windows aren't scenic. The green theme flows through the antiqued wood treatment and flower designs on the glass of the shutter.
The shutters feature a unique faux finish paint job, distinct from the window frame. Achieving this unique look is just a couple of YouTube videos away.
Vintage Window Photo Display
Vintage photos clipped to shutter slats create a nostalgic display. Clothespins clamp securely onto the slats, which are just the right width.
This installation brings a poetic touch through its use of classic materials and images.
Antique Shutter, Window and Wreath Decoration
"The Cottage" sign rests on a wooden plank below the window. A pink-flowered wreath adds a festive touch to the glass panes.
The antique window, mounted above a cozy couch, retains its original slats and untouched charm, accompanied by shades on either side, creating a peaceful design.
Vintage Shutters Photo Frame Display
Blue shades, rearranged upside down, are now nailed to a gently sloping wall. This setup allows anything to be clipped to the slats, making it a unique method for displaying framed photos, diplomas, and decorations.
The seafoam blue contrasts beautifully with the ochre walls, adding a striking visual element.
Build An Off-The-Wall Scene
Adding mini shrubs and fabric flowers gives a plain shutter a lively touch on the porch. The pastel and sherbet hues complement a pink flamingo wonderfully.
Likely sourced from a craft store, the curvy wood accent could be accompanied by various other shapes and animals.
Hanging Out The Window
Imagine shutters outside your windows, but repurposed in a surprising way! Small shutters can form a charming window box, painted in a bold color.
This window box also doubles as a unique canvas for creative painting, such as a pet portrait.
The plants and flowers can be switched out as often as you like.
Its Okay To Draw On The Walls
Mounting these shutters transforms a child's bedroom wall into an ongoing art project. Youngsters can decorate clothespins to hold their unique works of art, school awards, photos, birthday cards, and more.
This living scrapbook encourages creativity and personal expression.
Window Shutter Backdrop for Hanging Pictures
Pots of thriving plants, along with old books and unique decorations, adorn the furniture. A framed picture hangs above, secured with twine.
The shutters mimic a closed window, creating a cozy and familiar atmosphere. Shades complete the look seamlessly.
Charming Shutter Wall Art Decoration
Tangled branches frame the top and gracefully drift down the sides. Neutral-toned stars line the centerfold, while metal letters below spell out “live,” “laugh,” and “love.” Once a horizontally-hung shutter, this piece now exudes a soft, cozy, and organic charm.
DIY Window Shutter Jewelery Organizer
A DIY enthusiast has turned a shutter into a unique organizer by flipping it horizontally. They installed numerous hooks within the frame, making it easy to arrange bracelets and necklaces.
The faded paint, with black streaks showing through the primer, adds a deliberate, rustic charm.
Support Your Local Crafters
Pairing homespun shutters with beautiful woven baskets creates a cozy atmosphere. Handmade baskets or purses, found at local farmer's markets, arts festivals, or unique vacation spots, can enhance this look.
These pieces add charm and a personal touch to any space.
DIY Window Planter Box
The cheerful flowers brighten the faded wood of the shades. These tiny slats once flanked small kitchen or bathroom windows.
Now, they’ve been turned into a window planter box. With the slats closed, filling the box with earthy soil is a breeze.
Even small shutters have a purpose.
Knock And Give The Password
This shutter gives the impression of needing a secret code for entry. With a complimentary brown hue paired with a vine wreath and burgundy flowers, it becomes a stately fall hanger.
Choose a color that contrasts with your door to achieve this striking effect.
DIY Vintage Shutter Pedestal
The pedestal top features a shiny, opaquely finished green surface. The vintage shutters, now forming a cube, exhibit weathered charm.
Their teal paint, now mostly brown, adds character that glossy repainting would diminish.
Romance And Utility In A Window Box
A key-shaped key hanger adds an ornate touch while serving a practical purpose. Sweet, blossoming flowers complete any window box shutter.
Adorable jars can hold fresh cut flowers and herbs, easily changed to suit your mood, whether fresh, potted, or artificial.
Painted Accent Wall
A daring project awaits anyone with an abundance of shutters and ambition. The wall is entirely covered with various slats, each uniquely shaped and sized.
Painted in earthy shades, the arrangement showcases meticulous measuring skills.
Repurposed Sliding Doors
The old shades have been cleverly repurposed into sliding doors. Affixed to a sliding bar above the closet, they seamlessly blend in, resembling closet doors with the hinges removed.
The rustic paint job provides a charming contrast to the immaculate room, especially when paired with the marble countertop.
Vintage Window and Wall Art
Decorated with a red wreath and red-painted shades, the cozy setup sits beneath a rustic "Antiques" sign. A table below showcases modern lamps and decor, blending seamlessly with the rustic theme.
While the shutters frame a window, the window is actually part of an indoor decorative art piece.
Vintage Table Centerpiece
Antique wooden slats form the table. On its surface, a mix of items add charm: a worn sea-green pail filled with fresh flowers, a candle, and a sugar bowl.
The vintage wooden shutter matches the rustic style beautifully, almost as if they were made for each other.
Multi-Color Themes And Patterns
Experimenting with painting patterns on louvered shutters can be exciting, especially since they often appear dull on paper or canvas. The star stencil gains visual interest, as the shutter's depth adds a unique lift.
Bright silver or metallic hues can give it a stunning “star-spangled” look.
Painted Old Shutter Decor
Love doesn't have to be flawless to feel heartfelt. Knotholes and nicks only enhance the charm, adding happiness to the scene.
Using super-clippable slats, DIY enthusiasts hang wooden black letters to spell "love." Warm messages aren’t limited to spray paint.
Shutter Wall Display
A rustic bell, embedded above the picture, adds an earthy charm. Between the shades, a lively photo of a farm brings warmth.
Below, a couch adorned with sandy, modern cushions enhances the sense of timeless, organic comfort.
Shutters, But Make It A Puzzle
The effect resembles one of the most beloved video games of the early '90s, evoking a sense of nostalgia for both Gen X’ers and millennials. The textures, colors, and variety of shutter sizes present here convey the grandeur of wall-to-wall bookshelves.
Though this took some planning, I know some crafters who are definitely up to the task!
Upcycled Semi-Circle Wall Art
The slats feel like they could have come from an old shipwreck, embracing a nautical vibe. Below the decoration, a stunning shelf displays seashells.
The home cleverly arranges four shades into a half-circle with wooden framing, proving shutters don’t need to be rectangular.
Window Shutter and Mason Jar Herb Garden
Jars of herbs, tied with twine to slats, add a beautiful green touch. The creamy wooden panel supports an herb garden's growth while ensuring each plant gets plenty of sunlight.
This vertical setup not only saves space but also looks charming.
Rustic Window Shutter Design
The wreaths, fastened with festive white ribbon, sit at the center of each pair. These horizontal slats mimic a floor-length window.
It's difficult to discern if they are truly floor-length or if several average-sized shutters have been combined. Most likely, this is intentional.
Squeeze In To Make Space
Every corner of our homes deserves love and attention. A shutter, a mounted light, a pop of color, and a few small bottles can create a charming space.
Shutters can make small areas feel more open, adding a touch of warmth and personality.
Enshrine Your Most Precious Memories
Displaying photos and mementos from a distant loved one can be made charming with a set of shutters turned into a photo display. Using a simple hinge, this display becomes free-standing and versatile.
Keeping the shelf easily disassembled adds flexibility without permanent fixtures.
DIY Outdoor Welcome Sign
Fall's warmth comes alive with hay bales, pumpkins, and scarecrows. A black background with yellow stenciled spray paint forms foggy impressions, adding a special touch.
A warm welcome message painted across the slats brings a little hospitality to everyone.
Add Depth With Simple Text
Mounting two sets of evenly spaced shutters on the main wall creates a striking focal point. Adding a word sculpture over the shutters enhances the depth.
Sconces on either side contribute to the symmetry, while candles or framed photos can accentuate the piece.
Easy DIY Shutter Shelf with Hooks
A sturdy coat hook is nailed at the bottom of the shutter. One shelf holds a mug, while another shelf has been attached to the shade, using slats as clips.
The paint and finish show careful craftsmanship. The slats remain in excellent condition, showing no signs of weather damage.
Bring It Up, Brighten Up
A single panel shutter beautifully elevates an autumn accent table. Its natural wood tone serves as a charming backdrop for a vivid yellow burlap scrap wreath.
This setup captivates the eye and adds a touch of seasonal elegance.
A Power Prop For Everyday
A mirror in the center turns this shutter into a distinct vanity. Place it over a sink for toothbrushes and skincare items, or above a dressing table to hold jewelry and perfumes.
Its shelf, adorned with small aluminum containers for succulents and candles, adds a stately touch.
DIY Window Magazine Organizer
A lamp filled with seashells gives the space a coastal vibe, almost like a mermaid's cove. The dark chocolate-colored wood of the slats beautifully contrasts with the colorful magazine covers.
Thin rods inserted into the shutter’s frame hold the magazines neatly, repurposing the slats into an elegant organizer.
Chalkboard and Home Organizer Station
Repurposed shutters serve as a home command center. At the top, find a chalkboard and bulletin boards.
Below, coat hooks and a storage basket hold essentials. Two designated envelopes organize important papers.
Upside-down shades make a great spot to clip and hang various items. The DIYer thought similarly to the previous idea!
Repurposed Living Room Table
The creamy paint looks silky smooth and glossy. You might never guess that the shade was once a shutter.
Matching the rest of the table, it appears perfectly natural. The smooth finish blends seamlessly.
There might also be storage space beneath.
Old Shutter and Wreath Decoration
Shutters with flaking paint and water stains exude vintage charm. A cheerful pink and green wreath hangs in front, adding a whimsical touch.
This combination, against a stone wall with wooden furniture below, enhances the room's cozy feel.
Repurposed Home Organizer with Hooks
This home organizer features a brightly painted teal surface. Hooks are effortlessly held by the slats, making it simple to hang keys.
Important papers and reminders are clipped with clothespins. Minimal construction is needed as gravity supports the hooks.
