10 surprising ways to repurpose a baby crib

I love repurposing items! So today I’d like to share with you 10 great ways to repurpose a baby crib that might just surprise you.

Have an old baby crib and don’t know what to do with it?  Or did you find a great crib at a garage sale and just knew you could do something awesome with it?  Well, get ready for some surprising ideas!

1. Repurpose a baby crib into a kids’ art station.

*This post includes some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my full disclosure policy.

Paint the desktop with chalkboard paint, attach some Command hooks for hanging items, and even make your own DIY desk caddy (from cereal boxes). See how here.

This is a great way to repurpose your crib into something functional as your child grows!

2. Use a crib rail to display Hot Wheels and other small toys.

This is the easiest re-use of all! Simply hand the crib rail on its side. It’s a great way to display small toys and makes it fun for kids to put their toys away!

I also like this Hot Wheels storage case if you don’t have enough wall space or if the kiddos want to take them with them.

3. Use a crib rail to hold craft supplies.

This is such a simple DIY project. Nails are pounded into the crib rail so they are at an angle. Perfect for holding spools of thread or bobbins.

Pound in the nails a little further apart and it would be perfect storage for washi tape or ribbons. The possibilities are endless!

If you are a crafter, then you know that thread racks can be pretty expensive, and I’ve never seen one as big as this!

Here are other ways to help get your craft room organized (whether you have a full craft room, a closet or just a corner)!

By the way, are your craft supplies a jumbled mess?

Get a FREE copy of my top ways to organize them below. 👇

4. You can repurpose a baby crib in many ways to make awesome seating.

So many possibilities here…

This upcycled rustic bench:

This gorgeous rustic bench is made from crib rails and end pieces. It’s painted with a dark brown base coat, then coats of dark and light gray with some distressing in between coats.

Or this sweet chair:

This little peach of a chair is made similarly to the bench above. It is just a smaller size. Pair it with a small side table, and create a functional space. The apricot color paint is just perfect for a little girl’s room, too.

Or even this gorgeous porch swing:

I think this is my favorite crib upcycle of all! I just love the elegant lines of this forner crib.

(Wouldn’t you just love to sit out here with a good book and this cozy blanket?  Ahhh, heaven…)

5. Repurpose a baby crib rail into a drying rack for the laundry room.

This is another simple design. Your grandma may have had a drying rack similar to this. It’s called a Ballard design drying rack. When closed the front of the drying rack sticks to the solid surface with magnets.

When you want to use the rack, you just pull it down. It is attached to the solid surface with ribbon, so it swings out at the top, allowing you to dry items on the rails. When done, just swing it back up and the magnets hold it snug against the door or wall.

Need more help getting your laundry room organized? Here are 7 other ways to make your laundry room better!

Ready to get organized?

Grab your free guide of 10 fast and easy ways to get organized for under $10 below, created by a professional organizer (me 😊).

6. I just love this easy patriotic art, made by simply painting a crib rail.

Isn’t this a clever ideas? I like that this can be used either inside or outside, too. Get a 3-pack of red, white, and blue paint here.

Here are some patriotic food ideas to go with your painted crib flag.

7. Repurpose a baby crib rail into a magazine rack.

Turn it on its side and hang it on the wall. So easy!

Are you or someone you know an avid reader? As a retired librarian, these are some of my favorite gifts to give to your favorite bibliophile!

8. How about an upcycled chalkboard easel?

Love, love, love this idea! Works easily as either a signboard for a business or in a child’s room. Get chalkboard paint here.

9. What a darling dress-up station.

This sweet dress-up station looks hard, but really all it takes to repurpose your crib is simply adding a dowel between the head and foot board, and removing sides of the crib! Easy-peasy!!!!

I love the fact that there is storage both on the shelf and on the floor underneath the rack, so all the accessories and shoes can be kept all together.

Of course, dress-up clothes need colorful hangers to go with them. Try these hangers!

Need better organization of your kids’ clothes? Check out these tips!

And,

10. Two different (but very clever) ways to repurpose a baby crib to make a garden trellis.

As an avid gardener, I am always looking for cool new trellises, and these are both cute but still functional and sturdy.

Use the side rails as a bean or cucumber frame:

Or simply paint and re-use the mattress springs:

I love this propped in the corner! And the fun paint adds a nice pop to your garden!

(Looking for cool gifts for your favorite gardener? Check out our ultimate gardener gift guide!)

I see baby cribs at garage sales all the time and had no idea of the possibilities for them!  I hope some of these surprisingly clever ideas have inspired you to take your kids’ old crib down out of the attic or hunt for one at your local flea market or recycle center and transform it into something awesome.

So, go repurpose a baby crib! It’s a great way to save a treasured family item or salvage one that someone else was getting rid of.

I think a trip to the flea market or the garage sale circuit is in my future!  How about you?