I have a bit of spring fever, how about you? Here are some New Ideas for an Old Mailbox.
Our street has been under construction since last June. Recently, a driver in a large caterpillar construction tractor backed right into our brick mailbox. It used to look like this:
We were left with this:
The construction crew is currently attempting to rebuild the brick base.
I bought a new mailbox as the old one was quite rusted. Don’t you just love how I have improvised a temporary mailbox? I gave my postmistress a good belly laugh.
But junkers rejoice! I didn’t throw out the old mailbox.
We have a large basic yard that needs lots of help. In one small area, we think we have FINALLY eliminated all of the horrendous monkey grass that was growing here. I would like to transform the area into a butterfly garden.
Just like in interior design landscape design also needs various colors, texture, and heights to be successful. Enter the mailbox.
I turned to Pinterest to see if there were any ideas for old mailboxes.
Boy Howdy!
Have a big front porch? Here’s your perfect umbrella holder!
How about a place to just store your small garden tools?
They also make the perfect birdhouse.
You can even use them in your interior…
…as well as at a wedding reception.
Do you use recycled items in your garden?
Laura
Silvana Joanne says
There are so many great ideas on Pintrest! I get lost going through all those beautiful images. You found some great ideas for your old mailbox. Can't wait to see how you put it to use!
Curtains in My Tree says
I love the old rural mail boxes and this brings back memories of the old metal rural mailbox when I was a child. It would fit right in today with the rusty charm about.
I am sure whatever you pick it will be very appropriate not the bright pink one it.
How about a white one with a painted figure of some kind on the lid since that is all that will show
I would have been out there screaming at the construction man, for a minute anyway
Bernideen says
These mailboxes are all darling. I love your idea of using it! You have a lovely garden!
Prettypracticalhome says
I love the temporary mail box and all the lovely ideas for the old one. We have monkey grass that we're trying to get rid of and just can't seem to do it. What did you do that worked? We've just been digging it out as we see it but the root system won't go away.
Eilis says
Your mailbox will be charming in your butterfly garden! Looking forward to seeing it become reality.
Stacey says
I love your mailbox ideas. I've seen them used in several different ways in gardens. You can't go wrong. Can't wait to see your garden either. 🙂
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Such fun ideas. Can't wait to see it all done.
Linda says
Those are some super cute ideas for using the old mailbox! 🙂
We've needed a new mailbox and post for years. Like so many things at our house, we just don't put much of a priority on fixing up things that are still working, but eventually we'll need to replace it. Here in our town, the mail carriers have to walk from house to house up to the door. Most people have mailboxes that hang on the side of the house. We have one on a post next to our front porch. This is the first time I've ever lived in a town where they have to walk to deliver the mail – before this, it always was delivered by vehicle to the curbside box.
Kiki Nakita says
Laura,
Can't wait to see how you re-purpose your mailbox.
The butterfly garden sounds delightful. Maybe you could add a miniature pond, or bird bath to attract dragonflies and pretty birds, too.
~Kiki~
Pinky at Designs by Pinky says
I LOVE Pinterest! Can't wait to see what you do:)
yuni min says
oh those are the cutest ideas!! you're so funny!
Charm Bracelet Diva {at Home} says
SO sorry about the mailbox debacle! Funny, when we moved into our house there was no mailbox. Most people here still go to the post office to pick up their mail…..when we decided to put in a mailbox we had to ask our local postmaster. She approved it, but we were explicitly told that we could not make a mailbox like your brick one. She told us the postal carriers (with trucks) really disliked them since they had a tough time reaching them from their trucks! We then had to get a mailbox that was approved by our “association” and ended up paying around $400 for a mailbox! After we finally got over that sticker shock a neighbor drove right into it an sent it flying to the corner….you can't make this stuff up. So the neighbor's insurance company had to pay for yet another $400 mailbox. Hope yours gets fixed soon! xoKathleen
Bonnie says
Fun ideas for old mailboxes. I'm glad the person that hit your box did not hit and run. That happened on our street.
Have a good week, Laura.
Kim says
We have two mailboxes in the garage, both victims of unfortunate circumstances. I didn't have the heart to toss them and now I'm glad I didn't! My favorite idea was the wedding mailbox. Although I still have teenagers, so I can wait to use that one! 😉
kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen says
That same thing happened to my mailbox and my neighbor's last summer, Laura, only it was a teenager that wasn't paying attention. He totaled his car. I'm thankful that no kids were harmed.
The mailbox ideas are all fun! I can't wait to see what you do. Good idea on the tetanus shot!
Katie Mansfield says
Such cute ideas. I can't wait to see what you do with it. What a gorgeous spring like day today! It's almost here.
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I love the idea of using an old mailbox to store small garden tools.
Lisa says
I love all the fun ways you've found to recycle a mailbox! So fun!
Mountain Mama says
What fun! Can't wait to see what you decide! Your home looks so lovely!
Carol says
Bummer about the mailbox brick base, but at least they are rebuilding it for you. I'm sure your mail delivery person did get quite the laugh at your creative mailbox solution!
Warm hugs,
Carol
Liz@ Infuse With Liz says
Oh gees! Around here we have to worry about the snow plow ruining our mailboxes so it's rare to see anything that nice but you don't expect it to get mowed down by a construction worker! I'm glad they're fixing it for you. I love the ideas you found for re-purposing the old mailbox. I would like to use one for my garden tools. I started out trying to come up with something last year but it got lost in the shuffle of things. Whatever you do I'm sure it will be cute!