8 Creative Ways To Upcycle Old Wheels And Tires
Everyone has an old bike lying around somewhere. But even if it's seen irreparable damage and can't be used for its intended purpose anymore, there's more to old bikes than meets the eye. Here's a hint: wheel rims. Hang onto those rims because there's a whole lot of ways to repurpose them into something totally unexpected and awesome. For example, you can make super useful things for the kitchen, garden, or living room, like a pot and pan hanger or a stylish side table. And it doesn't stop at bikes, no sirree! Once you start looking at things on a larger scale, you'll see there's plenty you also can do with car and wheelbarrow tires. Recycling has never been easier – just see for yourself!
1. Pot & Pan Hanger
You'll Need:
- wheel rim
- threaded bolt
- wheel axle
- several hooks
Here's How:
Thread a threaded bolt through the hub of the wheel rim from one side and a wheel axle onto the bolt from the other side. To fix the hanger to the ceiling, you'll need the right screw anchor. Now turn the wheel axle onto the screw anchor, hang a few hooks on the edge of the wheel, and that's it – your DIY pot & pan hanger is ready to go!
2. Stylish Coffee Table
You'll Need:
- wheel rim
- drill
- spray paint
- 2 broom handles
- saw
- 4 threaded bolts
- 4 nuts
- 4 furniture pads
- round glass plate
Here's How:
2.1 Drill 4 holes with equal spacing between them in the wheel rim.
2.2 Spray paint the rim in the color of your choice.
2.3 Saw through 2 broom handles in the middle so that you get 4 equal-sized broom handles. Drill a hole in one end of each broom handle. Fix the 4 handles to the drilled holes in the rim with the threaded bolts and nuts.
2.4 Glue 4 furniture pads to the tops of the handles.
2.5 Place a round glass plate on the furniture pads and have fun with your new stylish coffee table.
3. Hanging Candle Garden Decoration
You'll Need:
- wheel rim
- string
- hot glue
- 5-6 glass jars
- 5-6 candles
Here's How:
3.1 Attach 4 pieces of string that are all the same length in evenly spaced gaps to the wheel rim so you can hang it on a tree later.
3.2 Wrap some more string around the rim of each glass jar and hot glue it to the jars.
3.3 Cut another 4 equally long pieces of string for each glass jar and glue them in 4 places around the string that's already glued to the jars. Then knot the strings at the ends to the rim. Repeat this process with all the glass jars. Put the candles into the jars and you've got yourself a cute hanging candle garden decoration to enjoy!
4. Photo Wheel
You'll Need:
- wheel rim
- binder clips
Here's How:
Use the wheel rim as a pinboard for photos. Fix the photos to the spokes with binder clips and hang the wheel rim with the hub on a nail in the wall.
5. Wall Clock
You'll Need:
- wheel rim
- wall clock mechanism
- hot glue
- nut
- 4 numbers (3, 6, 9 & 12)
Here's How:
Hot glue a nut to the back of the wall clock mechanism and then attach it to the hub of the rim. Then glue the 4 numbers to the spokes so that the wheel rim ends up looking like a clock.
6. Flower Decorations
You'll Need:
- wheel rim
- green & orange spray paint
- broom handle
- play mat
- box cutter
- threaded rods
- hot glue
Here's How:
6.1 Spray paint the wheel rim orange and the broom handle green.
6.2 Cut out 2 leaf templates from the play mat and spray paint them green.
6.3 Hot glue the leaves to the broom handle.
6.4 Using threaded rods, fasten the wheel rim to the broom handle. Now you're ready to display your ultra artsy "flowers" in your garden.
7. Tire Garden Furniture
As summer starts to wind down, it's time to start prepping for next year. With a little bit of luck, we might be enjoying more social summers in the future, so you're probably wondering if you even have enough seating for all the barbecues and garden parties you plan on throwing the first chance you get. We're happy to announce that this DIY project will ensure your garden features plenty of stylish furniture that'll wow your huge guest list! Get the instructions for the Tire Garden Furniture.
8. DIY Mobile Bench
If you're in the mood for a long walk to clear your head or you and your friends want to go check out nature, you're inevitably going to want to sit down somewhere and relax. We've essentially reinvented the wheel and come up with an ingenious mobile bench for when you're on the go. The bench sits atop a wheelbarrow, which means you can just wheel it around and then sit down whenever and wherever tickles your fancy! Get the instructions for the DIY Mobile Bench.
Give your old wheel rims and tires the gift of a second life, as a side table, garden decorations, or a pot and pan hanger. This is recycling done right: stylish and useful!