When an item breaks, we’re used to throwing it away and replacing it with a new one. This style of consumerism leads to landfills filling up quicker and resources depleting faster. Repurposing old or broken items can help break this environmentally damaging cycle, this is something you can apply to your old acoustic guitar.
When that old acoustic guitar breaks, there is no need to throw it away. Here are some of the things you can make with it:
- Bookshelf
- Lighting fixture
- Chair/Bar stool
- Table
- Art piece
- Clock
- Planter
- Key or coat hanger
- Hanging jewelry holder
- Dollhouse
In this article, we will give you ten suggestions for things you can do to your older acoustic guitar. We will cover everything from practical ideas to more creative design recommendations. So get your DIY supplies ready—it is time to craft!
Related: the pros and cons of acoustic-electric guitars explained and should the top of an acoustic guitar be flat.
👇😀👇NOTE👇😀👇
If you want to find out what my recommended guitar gear is, then here is what I recommend on Amazon:
- Fender Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle (MY FAVORITE GUITAR)
- Snark SN-8 Super Tight All Instrument Tuner (Easiest Tuner I’ve Used😏)
- 6 String Acoustic Guitar Capo (Best CAPO for quick changes)
- Dunlop Max Grip 1.0mm Nylon Picks (Thick Guitar Pick So You Don’t Lose Grip!)
- Universal Guitar Stand (Cheap & Minimalist Guitar Stand I Recommend)
- Levy’s 2″ Wide Quick Adjust Guitar Strap (Best Guitar Strap For Any Level)
1. Bookshelf
Bookshelves are no longer just tall and box-shaped pieces of wood—they now come in various shapes and sizes. Coffins, old phone booths, old boats, and many other unconventional items are being transformed into bookshelves. So why not turn your old guitar into a bookshelf?
Depending on where you purchase one online, a guitar bookshelf can range from $145 to $200. If that price tag made you wince, all the more reason to do it yourself!
We know a guitar-shaped bookshelf might sound like an impractical shape, but it is not. The space on this shelf will be limited, but it still offers a decent amount of space to display your items.
You can display books, DVDs, CDs, your Funko Pop collection (bonus points if you collect ones of different musicians), and many more items on this shelf.
Turning a guitar into a bookshelf is also an easy project to do. All you need are some flat and thick pieces of wood to use as your shelves. If you’re hanging it on the wall, you will need a guitar hook (which you probably have). You can use a guitar stand for its legs or put new legs on it for a floor bookshelf.
For an extra and noteworthy touch, you can get a custom glass cover made for it and turn it into a display case. A glass cover is a great way to keep your rock memorabilia dust-free!
A guitar-shaped bookcase also adds visual interest to a room and makes a great conversation piece for when you have guests come over.
So if you need additional shelf space and want to spice up your home decor, this could be the option for you.
2. Lighting Fixture
If you look at most floor lamps, they are very dull in color and shape. They might add light to a room but do not add visual interest. Floor lamps tend to blend into the background of a room and go unnoticed.
A guitar floor or wall lamp adds visual interest to the room and gives you the light you need for reading, writing, and more.
You can be simple with the lighting, putting an LED light strip in it, or you can make it more complex by turning it into an electric-powered floor or ceiling lamp.
If you choose the electrical route, we recommend hiring an electrician to help you set things up if you can’t do it yourself safely.
If you were to purchase a guitar floor, ceiling, or wall lamp, it would cost you hundreds and even thousands of dollars. DIYing it might be a bit of a hassle depending on how you choose to do it, but you will save yourself a lot of money this way.
If you need extra lighting in your room or want a more exciting light fixture, this could be your best option.
3. Chair/Bar Stool
We will be the first to admit it—a guitar-shaped chair or bar stool does not sound like the most comfortable thing to sit on. But hear me out on this one!
Some men are lucky enough to have a man cave in some part of their home. They use it to watch sports, play music, work with tools, or do other activities. Your man cave most likely has a bar of some sort, either alcoholic or dry (soda).
If you have ever been to a bar, you know bar stools are not comfortable. However, by making your own, you have complete control over how comfortable it is. You can choose whether to use the guitar body as the seat or the fretboard as the backing piece.
However you choose to do it, you can make a unique chair for practicing your guitar skills or a quirky bar stool for drinking with friends.
4. Table
A guitar is a flat surface with decent space when laid down on its back, and turning it into a side table is an excellent way to utilize that space.
If you are wondering how to utilize the guitar hole, you can use it as a space to place your lamp without losing precious tabletop space. Some people might use it as a plant holder to ensure the plant doesn’t get knocked off by their kids, pets, or clumsy spouse.
Our personal favorite use would be as a cup holder. It will ensure your cup is secure, and cannot fall over. It will also prevent you from seeing annoying water rings on the table and eliminate the need to buy coasters.
If turning your beloved acoustic guitar into a side table feels almost criminal, we have another suggestion for you!
Many glass coffee tables come with a liftable top, making them a dual-purpose table and display case. Instead of turning the guitar into a table, you can display the guitar on the coffee table. Presenting your guitar this way frees up wall space and gives it a museum-quality feel.
A table made from an old acoustic guitar can cost about $165 to $175, depending on where you purchase it. If you decide to take the DIY route, you can significantly reduce the cost by buying some table legs. Other expenses might also accrue if you do not already have the materials.
Either way you decide to do it, having a guitar table is an exciting piece with functionality and style.
5. Art Piece
If you are a guitar person, it is probably safe to bet that you have at least one guitar hanging on your wall.
If the thought of turning your old guitar into furniture feels blasphemous, we hope this suggestion feels more respectful to you.
If your old acoustic guitar has been hanging on your wall for years and is no longer in playable condition, why not give it new life by turning it into an art piece?
Acoustic and electric guitars come in all colors and with different designs on them. Zakk Wylde from Black Label Society has his iconic bullseye Les Paul guitar. Synyster Gates from Avenged Sevenfold has his black and white pinstriped Schecter guitar.
This DIY will not cost you a lot of money. Paint and paintbrushes are relatively inexpensive. If you already own paint and paintbrushes, then all this DIY will cost you is your time and some newspaper (so you don’t get paint on your floor).
The best part about this suggestion is that there is no limit to what you can do with it. You can create any design you choose. Want to replicate Van Gogh’s Starry Night on the guitar? Go for it! Want to paint a sick dragon on it? Go for it!
If the guitar is of sentimental value to you, why not ask the special people in your life to dip their hands in some paint and leave their handprints on it?
The only limit to this DIY is your imagination. So break out the paints and let your inner artist go nuts!