The Thrifty Homeowner: Repurposing Used Car Parts Around The Home

You are known for taking things that other people toss aside and using them in some new and creative way.  Have you ever thought of turning your talents to repurposing used auto parts as part of the household decor?  Here are some ideas that will get those creative juices going.

Candle or Lamp Sconces

Take a good look at those used shock absorbers available for a pittance from the local auto shop. Notice how the exposed springs add some interesting detail to the device?  What if you used some hardware to mount the shock absorber on an old flywheel and ran the cord from a lamp kit through the body?  Secure the mount for a light bulb on the top and screw the flywheel to the wall.  Once a shade is attached to the bulb, you'll have a one-of-a-kind lamp sconce.

Is the electrical part a little too much for your tastes?  Instead of wiring your new sconce, hot glue a small candle holder to the top and place a votive candle in the holder.  A pair of these sconces flanking a piece of art would easily liven up the hallway.

Wine Rack

Have you ever thought of pairing an old engine with wine bottles?  With the pistons removed from the engine, you have something that will make an interesting wine rack for the patio and also provide a great way to display wine for a party.  Used engines, especially those that are kept around for part harvesting, will work just fine.  Since you want to buy something without the pistons included anyway, the price will be low.  To jazz up the look, consider painting the engine jet black or maybe a bright metallic shade of silver or copper.

Spare Bunk for the Kids

Children like sleepovers, so it makes sense to have a place for everyone to sleep.  Investing in the back end of an older vehicle with the trunk intact allows you to create a great bunk for sitting and sleeping. Remove the trunk lid and slide the back seat into the open trunk space. You may need to place padding under the seat to provide the right height.  Secure the bunk to the wall using heavy screws and invest in a set of dowels to provide legs for additional support. 

A Coffee Table Engine

Remember the engine that you used to make the wine rack? Take the same idea, but invest in a used engine that does still have the pistons intact.  You can remove and then secure the pistons so they create a level surface for a piece of tempered glass.  The result is a coffee table that works great in the sun room or the den.  Paint the engine to pick up one of the secondary colors in the room.  If you want to use smoked glass for the tabletop, consider painting the engine base in one of the brighter accent colors used in the space.

Window Awnings

If you can find a set of matching car hoods, it is easy enough to add some hardware and turn them into window awnings.  Make sure all the hoods are from the same make and model of vehicle. Choose a color that helps to accent the siding of the home and paint each of the hoods in that shade.  Remember you can always add a racing stripe to each of the new awnings if you want to give them a little more visual appeal.

Ask at the local auto parts shop about any used car or truck parts they have available.  You'll find that they're already cleaned and ready for you to transform into whatever decorating element the home needs.

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