Imagine unlocking a second life for that tablet you have tucked away in a drawer, or the old PC tower you’re using as a doorstop. Electronics don’t have to end up in a landfill the moment their primary function ends. Even a device that’s no longer reliable as a tablet, camera, or gaming console can serve as something entirely fresh — decor, home utility, or an art piece.
The key is to shift the mindset. Instead of broken electronics, you should see “potential resources.” Artists are used to using recycled materials when creating, so why not feel a bit artsy? Is your old keyboard not as responsive as it used to be? Is your console no longer able to handle your games? Things like physical casings, ports, buttons, and keys can be re-imagined as well. If you have electronics that are still somewhat working properly, it’s time to repurpose them. This article explores some of the most creative ideas that transform old devices into something surprising, breathing new life into the technology that would otherwise be filling a dumpster.
Old tablet as a smart cookbook
Rather than consigning your retired tablet to a drawer, why not assign it an entirely new mission: the kitchen station. An old device with a viable screen and a working touchscreen becomes the perfect digital recipe book. This way, your main tablet will remain free of splatters and its charging port won’t end up being filled with flour. You’ll be less worried about making a mess in your kitchen if you’re not endangering any expensive hardware.
To make a smart cookbook out of your old tablet, try mounting it on a wall bracket near your prep area. Load it up with your favorite recipe apps or your PDF collection, and disable all unnecessary notifications. That way, the screen will stay focused on the current recipe and you won’t be distracted while cooking. If the touchscreen is still responsive, this digital cookbook will become a practical tool instead of a disposable device.
Old keyboard keys turned into art
That battered old keyboard may still have a few good keystrokes left, but the real magic happens when you extract the keycaps and let them become your artistic medium. Even if you’re not an artist, you can use the old keys from a broken keyboard to create beautiful mosaics. If you have enough keycaps from several keyboards (perhaps even hundreds), you can create giant, wall-sized murals that will decorate your living room or office. Artists have used keycaps in the past to create anything from coasters to portraits and modern sculptures. You may use them as your inspiration.
By removing the keys, cleaning them, and arranging them onto a backing board or a frame, you transform electronic waste into wall art. It won’t function as a keyboard anymore, but as a visual statement. You can do something as simple as mapping the keys onto a nameplate, or work on a complex project such as a cityscape. If you’re into abstract art, keys are perfect for creating different patterns that can also be a tactile experience.
Game consoles as planters
Old game consoles, whether they’re cracked open or just out of service, have cases that lend themselves remarkably well to housing plants. You can upcycle your vintage consoles by hollowing them out and turning them into an indoor planter. This way, you’ll make your home feel livelier by introducing greenery with a touch of nostalgia coming from that old, broken-down Atari.
But the process might not be as simple as planting something in your old Xbox 360. You’ll have to carefully disable all internal electronics and remove them. Then, you’ll have to add drainage by drilling a hole so your plant won’t get too much water, causing it to die. You can also consider adding a planted container with a pre-drilled hole, and let your old console casing gather extra water. That’s how your once-gaming hub can become a perfect pot for succulents, herbs, or decorative plants. It’s a playful and green way to honor your childhood gear. Don’t simply throw it away. Give it a new life.
Turn your old camera into a wildlife or time-lapse cam
If you have an old or used DSLR camera that you’ve upgraded from, it can do more than sit on a shelf gathering dust until you remember to sell it or give it away. It could become your time-lapse hero, or a dormant wildlife cam. DSLRs are perfect for various time-lapse projects, as you won’t feel guilty leaving your old equipment outside for prolonged periods of time to capture that perfect cityscape or natural phenomena.
Moreover, you can use your old camera to convert it into a camera trap and capture stunning photos of wildlife. You can set it to record continuously if you have enough memory. Alternatively, you’ll need a Raspberry Pi Pico and some basic coding skills to add a motion sensor. This will allow you to capture the exact moments when an animal approaches. However, if you want to protect your newly built wildlife camera from unpredictable weather, you’ll have to invest in a waterproof hard casing. You could also go for a UV filter on top of your lens for some additional protection.
Use an old PC case as a mailbox
One of the most creative ways to repurpose an old desktop tower is to transform it into a fully functional mailbox. The sturdy metal shell of a PC case is surprisingly well-suited for this. It’s weather-resistant, already shaped as a box, and comes with hinges or a removable door that makes retrieving mail easy. Start building this mailbox by stripping out all of the internal components, such as the motherboard, fans, and drive bays, until you’re left with just an empty case.
Next, decide how you want your mail to enter. You can cut a horizontal slot near the top of the case, or remove one of the front panel planes to create an opening. You can add a small flap or a hinge to cover the slot for some extra weather protection. Secure the case to a post, wall, or your fence and add some personal touches. Once a silent box of circuitry now stands proudly outdoors, receiving “e-mails” the old-fashioned way.
