While we reckon that recycling your scrap metal is one of the best ways to put old pieces of metal back into use, we realise that some people want to be a little more crafty or handy and use their metal seconds in a different way.

Depending on your personal tastes and interests, there are quite a few ways you can creatively repurpose metal you have lying around the house. Here are a few ideas you can put into practice.

No, we don’t mean creating a strange lounge set made from bits of twisted metal…with your metal seconds, you can for example transform old metal pipes into a coat rack, side table, or bookshelf. Combining different metal pieces with different wood and wood textures is also a great way to give an industrial touch to your home or office. Or, you can get creative with larger metal pieces including storage boxes, gas cans (make sure they are empty!), oil drums, and much more.

(An original piece by RustySpoke on Etsy)

Metal seconds can be repurposed to enhance your garden or outdoor space. They can make great frames for climbing plants such as passionfruit, jasmine, bougainvillaea, banksia and many more, and old sheet metal can make a great privacy screen. You can also make decorative planters by either cutting or shaping old metal, or just upcycling pre-existing metal pieces. Sheet metal can also make a fantastic privacy screen – you can combine this with climbing or creeping plants, or paint the metal in colours that bring some visual interest to your garden.

(Privacy screen/fence by Noelle O Designs)

Give your space an industrial and contemporary look by repurposing metal seconds into lighting fixtures. You can use metal scraps to craft pendant lights, sconces, or chandeliers. Play around with some different shapes and sizes to create visually interesting designs that illuminate your space in style.

(Pendant lights upcycled from old metal jelly pans, from Yodomo)

You can turn metal seconds into practical and stylish magnetic memo boards for your home or office. Attach a metal sheet to a frame or repurpose an old metal tray. Paint the metal surface with magnetic paint and mount it on the wall. Use magnets to hold notes, reminders, or even display artwork.

Get crafty with metal seconds by crafting unique jewellery pieces and accessories. Cut and shape the metal into pendants, earrings, or bracelets. You can combine different metals, add gemstones or beads, and experiment with various finishes to create fashionable and statement-worthy pieces.

(Falling Leaves Bracelet by Rings N’ Things)

Of course, there’s always another option: recycle your metal seconds for scrap, with Elite Recyclers. Get in touch with us today, let us know just what type of metal you’re looking to offload, and we can find a recycling solution for you.