What are some ways to re-purpose second hand furniture?

Old furniture can become new and useful again when doors become headboards, poultry crates become tables, and antique dressers become bathroom cabinets. With a little love and imagination, today's treasures can be found in yesterday's throw-away pile.

Many pieces of furniture can be used just as they are, but incorporated in a new way to add interest to an area, such as antique ladders that are hung on a wall to be used as shelving, or a china cabinet that becomes a linen closet. Some pieces may need a little more work and care, such as adding table legs to a pinball machine to make a coffee table, or building a dining room table out of old pallets. Mixing "old" with "new" is also a great way to add excitement to a piece. Just a simple splash of paint or new upholstery can make a world of difference in how a piece looks.