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Repurposed Baby Crib Projects ~ Junkin’ Fun!

Okay…confession time.  Yes, I am the lady that drives around with my son during city spring cleanup and grabs all your junk, all the while wearing a skirt and a glorious smile on my face! I’m all about some repurposed baby crib fun!

You know you want to join me. tsk. If not, can I just say that you are missing out?!

Each year our city has an annual spring cleanup where you can set curbside up to a pickup truck load of unwanteds (some call it trash).  This city-wide dejunking lasts for four weeks – one quadrant at a time. Let me tell you, by the end of the four weeks, I was exhausted and had a garage full of someone elses’ trash.  Yipppeee!!  (You should see my husband’s face when I roll in the driveway.)

Today, I’d to show you just a sample of what I came home with…baby cribs. Now you’re thinking…whaaaat??

At my first stop out on our first day out was this absolutely gorgeous pink baby crib.  This old piece has such character with it’s original paint, time-worn love, and markings.  I knew in a minute I wanted it to be a chalkboard sign for my one-day-brick-and-mortar shop.  But for now it would be used as my garage sale sign.

Repupose Your Baby's Crib Into a Chalkboard Easel, Garden Trellis, Drying Rack & More! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesThankfully, I had a pickup truck this time around because the crib was the type that folds flat lengthwise for storage – it was very long and very heavy.
Guess what, I not only found 1 crib, I found 5! Seriously.

MOTHER LOAD

Some of the other sets were just the same in folding design, but the next time I had my suburban and would have to squeeze them in.  I definitely get a workout junking (another reason to join in!). And may I say that everyone should own a suburban or minivan…they can be stuffed to the brim.
To make the easel, all you need is a repurposed baby crib (obviously),a couple of hinges, and a set of locking hardware or a chain to keep it from opening up and falling flat.  You can leave the frame as is or paint to your choosing, then paint the center panel with a chalkboard paint or a flat black paint.  I made my paint, but you can find it at most craft & home improvement stores. Just be sure to lightly sand the area you’re painting to promote adhesion.
How to Upcycle a Baby Crib | prodigalpieces.com
*A little note on the reason for having a hardware stash: When I was getting ready to build my easel, the best part was I already had the hinges and locking hardware in my stash from a curbside folding table that was broken I picked up a year ago.  I had salvaged all the hardware off of it and threw the rest away.  I knew that metal treasure would come in handy someday!

GARDEN

Keep in mind, when you get a complete crib you will have two side rails that are totally useful too.  I’ve used mine to dry my hard-necked garlic.
Repupose Your Baby's Crib Into a  Garden Trellis, Drying Rack & More! by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces
 Upcycled Garden Trellis | prodigalpieces.com

The side rails also make a great garden trellis.  I’ve used them to trellis my sugar snap peas, pole beans, cucumbers…for any climbing plant, really.  I have more rails in my shop and will be putting them to use soon.  I can’t wait to show you!

DIY Garden Trellis by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

MORE JUNKY FUN

Another bonus is the hardware you’ll acquire.  When I was building my snack stand, I went to my stash and found these.
Metal Crib Parts | prodigalpieces.com
Do you know what they are?  In the old style cribs, these held the rails at different adjusted levels.  Here’s what I used them for…
Snack Stand from Repurposed Baby Crib | prodgialpieces.com
…snack holders on my beverage cooler.  Perfect!  You can learn how to build one for yourself in my tutorial.
Upcycled Snack Stand by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com
Below are the pictures of the other cribs I snatched up.
Reclaimed Crib Easels by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com
It was fun to list these as custom easels in my online shop and to see what they would become.
Set of Repurposed Baby Crib Easels by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com
With a repurposed baby crib chalkboard easel, the possibilities are endless!!
I hope maybe you’ll reconsider throwing out your outgrown baby cribs, even the one’s that are not good for resale.  If you don’t want to build one, then give it away because someone out there can make use of it for sure.
Repurposed Baby Crib ! by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Have any questions?  Please feel free to send me an email! To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!

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More junkin’ goodness like my repurposed baby crib:

Handmade Feedsack, Linen, and Leather Purse by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesRepurposed Industrial Style Sewing Storage by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Comments

  1. Liz @ Quirky Vistas says

    Super cute. I snagged a really cool crib in the trash one day hoping to make a sign sometime, but the wood was soooo heavy and I finally needed the room and had to get rid of it. They make great signs though and yours is really cute as well as those trellises!
    Liz

    • Larissa says

      Hi Liz! Thanks. Too bad you had to get rid of it, but believe me I know about space, and that’s why I have to clean out every once in awhile! :o)

  2. Jeanette@Creating A Life says

    Larissa, were we separated at birth? Haha. I also recently came home with a van load of stuff from a nearby town’s “spring cleanup”, I also belong to my local Freecycle group, I also used the side panel from an old crib as a trellis for my sweet peas at a previous home (before blogging) AND I also repurposed the end panel of the crib into a chalkboard!

    http://www.hometalk.com/760102/chalkboard-from-salvaged-crib-parts

    Looking forward to exploring a little more-loving your stuff!

    Jeanette

    • Larissa says

      Yes, I think so! Wow, the similarities are awesome. I, too, look forward to perusing your blog, and I became a follower! :o)

  3. Shirley Wood says

    I am visiting from Hometalk where I came across this marvelous post! So creative! I would love for you to please come and share this on my blog at our Home Matters Linky Party. We are looking for great DIY, Repurposing, Thrifty ideas like yours! Here is the link. Hope to see you there with several of your fabulous posts! http://wp.me/p4fJXd-TY
    Shirley @Intelligent Domestications

  4. Gwen says

    love the crib-turned-sign! i have a question – i have used several products to make chalkboards and none of them erase well, not like the good ol’ ones i grew up with at school. i end up having to use water and a rag to erase and then wait for it dry. is this typical? can you recommend a good chalkboard product? thanks!

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Gwen! I typically make my own chalkboard paint and it does erase, but none are as good as the real deal boards, sad to say. The basic brands are overpriced and even regular flat paint works just as well. Hope this helps!

  5. Barb says

    LOVE them all, but that bucket idea is most awesome….sad, I think I threw away the hardware from last one.

    be blessed
    Barb

    found via FB thru Vintage Trifles share.

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Barb, and so glad to have you! Yes, I keep everything I know I will use, but sometimes let things go and regret. :/

  6. Cassie says

    I love your post here. I’ve got two drop-side ends waiting in the garage for me to figure out something to do with them, so now I have a new project for my upcoming yard sale!

    I have salvaged drop-side crib parts into other household tools. My favorite is the diaper-drying rack, which is here: http://www.nwedible.com/wall-moutned-clothes-drying-rack-perfected/. We modified it a little bit by using short, thin bungee cords so the four legs sat on the floor, since the rails are so long. We have also used it on the back of a door in our apartment with an over-the-door coat rack (the kind with four or five hooks on it). Your readers could use bungee cords with little eye hooks if they don’t have braces or chains readily available (or in the crafting budget!). You can get those bungee cords at the dollar store.

    After my cloth diapering days are over, I now know where to use my crib rails–in the garden! Yay for reusing and upcycling! 🙂 Thank you!

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Cassie! Sounds like you’ve got a winner. I’ve done the drying rack idea and would use it if I had the space – tiny laundry. 😉 We cloth diaper too and wouldn’t have it any other way!

  7. Susan Homeroad says

    Nice job Larissa. I use the rails on their side attached through the holes in the top like sandwich board….Painted it white, then I put little screws all over both sides and I use it to hang small projects and signs for craft fairs

  8. Lauren Morgan says

    Hey there , this is a great ide I need for a friends wedding, I was wondering if you had a picture of the Hinges or the name/type you used at the top there’s so many at the hardware store and I don’t wanna have the sign fall apart or be flimsy lol. Thanks!

    • Larissa says

      Thanks, Lauren! Congrats to your friend. 😉 I usually buy the hinge based on the crib style because they’re all so different. My typical one is found at Home Depot and I believe has a sort of floral design to it – I use it because it’s deeper. Supports, something like this, or this.

  9. Lindsay says

    Hi ? I found your idea on Pinterest and had to do it! I found an old crib for $10 and my husband is currently staining it for me…. I was just wondering where you got the locking hardware. We went to lowes and they said they didn’t carry it which I thought was weird. So I thought I’d ask you before driving all over creation to find one lol. Thanks in advance!! ?

    • Larissa says

      Hi Lindsay! I’m so happy you found me. I got my locking hardware at Home Depot and also at my local True Value hardware store. I hope that helps! 🙂

  10. Laurie says

    We used the rails from a broken jenny lind crib for a wide doorway dog gate.

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