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Storage Tip of The WeeK
Recycle an Old Shutter
Create a Message Center from a Recycled Shutter

This pretty and functional mail storage solution comes to life with a repurposed fleamarket shutter. Not only good for storage, the piece would look beautiful in any living space.

What You’ll Need:
  • Shutter
  • Sandpaper
  • Tack cloth
  • Latex paint
  • Polyurethane
  • Paintbrushes
  • Wooden backing
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Corkboard
  • Decoative fabric
  • Ribbon
  • Crafts glue

Begin by carefully removing the top slats from the shutter, and then sand any rough surfaces. Wipe down the surface with a tack cloth. If you want, apply a layer of latex paint to the shutter; let dry. Apply two coats of polyurethane, allowing it to dry between coats, to give the shutter an easy-clean shine.

Cover the space where the slats were removed with the wooden backing by nailing it to the back of the shutter. Measure the exposed area of the wooden backing and cut the corkboard to this size. Cover the corkboard with decorative fabric and ribbon, using crafts glue to secure.

When the bottom slats are tilted completely upright, nail the leftover wooden backing to the back side of the shutter.  This will help keep the slats in place so cards and other papers don’t fall.

See a close-up of the shutter storage project.

Check out this project for another way to recycle shutters.

Discover other easy accent ideas to personalize your home!

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