How to Reuse an Old Wrought Iron Patio Table

If you have an old wrought iron table that you no longer have use for, you're in luck. Wrought iron lasts decades, looks great and stands up very well to the elements. For these reasons, it can be reused in a number of ways, both indoor and outdoor. Instead of throwing your wrought iron table away, consider one of several creative techniques for reusing it. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1




Clean the table with a rag and warm soapy water.

Prep the table. Remove the legs and clean the tabletop. You don't need any special solvents or detergents; a rag and warm soapy water will suffice. Dishwashing detergent works well. To make the job even easier, clean the table outside and simply hose it down when you're done, but do not let it air dry; wipe it down with a dry cloth to avoid the formation of rust. If you're planning to use the wrought iron outdoors, apply a coat of rust-preventing paint.

2




Paint the wrought iron.

Decorate the wrought iron. First, paint the tabletop. Use a color that catches your eye, or treat the surface with crackle paint or something similar to produce an eye-catching effect. Next, dress up the tabletop however you like. Use wire to hang beads, feathers, wooden or metal carvings or other trinkets and odds and ends. Glue on bits of colored glass, decorative tiles, small mirrors, arrowheads or beads. Tie on colorful fabric scraps, tassels or ornamental cord. Or, leave the iron as is; just apply a coat or two of varnish to make it shiny and glossy.

3




Use the wrought iron piece as a support for climbing plants.

Use the decorated piece however you please. Attach hooks and hang it on a wall lengthwise or crosswise. Suspend it horizontally from the ceiling in the kitchen to make a pot rack, or in the garage to hold water pitchers, sporting equipment and tools. Suspend it vertically from the ceiling in the living room to make a room divider, or bolt two tabletops together with hinges to make a free-standing room divider. Outside, use the tabletop as a support for climbing plants. Lean it against a wall and at its base plant climbing plants such as grapevines, wisteria, bougainvillea, honeysuckle and roses, which will bring butterflies, songbirds and pleasant scents to your outdoor space.