20 Ideas to Turn Old Tools into Garden Art (2024)

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Wondering what to do with old tools? Creative gardeners use them for garden art and trellis. Display them on their own or turn them into tool art animals. Have a look at these ideas from home gardens.

Want more upcycling ideas? See17 Ideas for Old Doors and Windows in the Garden.

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Recycled Tool Art Ideas

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These are some of my favorite junk art ideas taken on garden tours over many years.

Some feature old tools simply displayed as art on walls and fences.

Other times long-handled tools get a new purpose as trellis for climbing plants.

The most charming are the animals like cats, birds, and imaginary creatures made from a compilation of rusty tools. This usually requires welding but you could collect the tools and bring them to a welder to assemble.

1Woodpecker

This woodpecker was clearly made by a pro with some artistic skills. See how a shovel was cut and made into wings?

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Related: Rusty Garden Art Ideas From Junk

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2Bird

I love this piece but it’s not always easy to give them names.

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In this next picture I listed the various parts used to make it.

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3Bird

This is another bird from the same garden.

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The parts are simple and easy to find in junk shops.

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4Crows

Some gardeners really like the look of rusted metal. Others can’t wait to give it a coat of paint.

These painted crows are quite comical.

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5Garden Tools

Older garden tools made from wood and metal get a gorgeous patina as the years go on.

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6Roadrunner

This roadrunner bird has shiny new head feathers. Perhaps the old ones fell off?

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7Knight

Another expert piece which I’m sure was not cheap.

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Related:22 Creative Wagon Planters

8Hand Tools

This idea was more common years ago before scrap metal started fetching a good price. I love how the tools look arranged on the shed wall.

Explore the possibilities…

Ideas

9Tool Collection

This is the largest tool collection I have ever seen. I have a feeling if this gardener shows up at an auction sale with boxes of old tools for sale, don’t bother bidding. S/he will win.

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See what I mean? That’s a lot of tools.

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Most are in their natural state but I did notice a painted saw too.

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Related: 50 Creative Garden Shed Ideas

10Gears

Another fun idea: collect an assortment of old gears and weld them together to form a trellis.

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11Trellis

This one is in my garden. I was trying to get the orange nasturtiums to climb up but they had other ideas.

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12Shovel Bird

If this was mine, in hindsight I would wish the shovel had been placed facing down to avoid collecting water. But, cute bird.

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13Owl

I made this owl from an old metal stove vent filter, whisks, canning jar lids, springs, and forks.

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Related: Make a Garden Art Owl

14Licence Plates

I had to include this one since I still see it fairly often on garden tours. Old licence plates and tools go together like….I dunno. They just seem to go together.

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15Garden Tools

This was inmy first garden which you can tour here. I wasn’t sure what to do with tools as they got damaged so I just hung them on the fence for further consideration.

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16Tool Art

This is some of the stuff onmy shed walls. Sometimes it’s not the single pieces that work but how they all go together.

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Related: Garden Shed Makeover

17Garden Tool

I’ve had this tool for ages and never found it useful so I painted the handle blue and hung it on the arbor.

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18Cat

Not a great photo but a favorite little metal garden cat made from various metal scraps.

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Related: Garden Art Favorites From Etsy

19Birdhouse

It’s never recommended to put a perch on a birdhouse used by real birds (because it makes it too easy for predators to get in), but I love this tool as an art piece.

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Related: Creative Birdhouse Idea Gallery

20Wheel

No, it’s not a tool, but old metal wheels are always awesome in the garden.

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Related:22 Creative Wagon Planters

And there you go. Hang onto to those old tools and get creative.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

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20 Ideas to Turn Old Tools into Garden Art (2024)

FAQs

How to decorate with old garden tools? ›

Old garden tools can be used to create unique and eye-catching garden art. For example, an old shovel or rake head can be turned into a wind chime by attaching small bells or other decorations to the metal prongs. Or a collection of old garden trowels and forks can be arranged into a striking wall hanging.

Keep Reading ›

What to do with broken garden tools? ›

Repurpose old garden tools by transforming them into practical items like space organizers, key racks, tool racks, planters, fire pits, birdhouses, and birdfeeders. This eco-friendly approach gives new life to unused tools and adds a unique touch to your home and garden.

Discover More Details ›

How do I make my garden look vintage? ›

Statues, Birdbaths And Urns. Garden statues, birdbaths and urns can add so much vintage charm to any cottage garden. Look for old concrete garden fixtures at estate sales and flea markets with a bit of chippiness and patina for extra vintage goodness.

Know More ›

How do you revive old garden tools? ›

Soak the tool overnight in a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water. Then with steel wool, a brush, or a crumpled-up piece of tin foil, rub the rust off in a circular motion. When the rust is gone, rinse the tool in soapy water and then clean water. Hang it to dry, then rub it with mineral oil or WD-40.

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What can I do with unwanted hand tools? ›

Tools that are in good working order can be donated to some charity shops, re-use organisations or local community projects. Tools often contain a lot of metal that can be recycled. Check with your local Recycling Centre whether they accept tools that are no longer usable.

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What should be done with damaged tools? ›

If a tool is defective, remove it from service, and tag it clearly "Out of service for repair". Replace damaged equipment immediately – do not use defective tools "temporarily". Have tools repaired by a qualified person – do not attempt field repairs.

Learn More ›

Is it OK to leave garden tools outside? ›

It's easily done, but try not to leave your tool outside. Instead, store them away after use in a dry environment. Even in dry weather if tools are left outside, they will be exposed to moisture from wet grass and dew. Which can therefore cause them to rust.

What is the best color for garden art? ›

Employ Bright Colors

Shades of red, orange, and yellow usually catch your eye the fastest, so use plants and art in these colors as focal points. These bold, bright hues are also perfect for directing attention away from objects you'd prefer not to view.

Get More Info Here ›

How do you use old garden branches? ›

You can also use two long straight branches as uprights for a trellis, and string natural twine between them. I use smaller, twiggier branches to provide support for peas in my garden. The twigs sticking out from the sides give peas plenty to cling onto as they grow.

Explore More ›

How to decorate an old garden wall? ›

You can decorate your garden wall with flowers, hanging plants, or a giant outdoor wreath. Unique lighting, a fire pit, or a water feature can really take any lower garden walls to the next level by transforming them into the focal point of your entire landscaping concept.