There's two things I always grab when I see them at a thrift store. Badminton sets and croquet sets.
It's the kind of thing people will buy for a picnic or family reunion, but just end up tripping over in the garage the rest of the year. So a lot of times they end up being donated to thrift stores or sold at yard sales.
And most of the time they are not the entire set, just pieces, but they are great for upcycling projects!
Before I get too far, today is Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday and at the bottom of the post I'll show some other thrift store finds my friends have made over this month! Make sure you stick around to the bottom and give those crafters a visit.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
How To Make An Upcycled Badminton Command Center
Supplies:
Badminton Rackets
Cork Sheet - 3/16" thick
Sheet of Chalkboard - 3/16" thick*
X-acto Knife
Jig Saw or Scroll Saw
E6000 Glue (or a crafting glue gun)
Chalk
Shuttlecock (optional)
Pencil and Paper
Safety Glasses
* I purchased a piece of chalkboard from Home Depot in their craft wood section. You could also cut up an old chalkboard you have lying around the house or use a thin piece of wood you paint with chalkboard paint.
Instructions:
Take a piece of paper and a pencil and trace a template around the inside of the rackets. The cork and chalkboard are going to set on top of the strings.
Cut out your template.
Double check to make sure it fits correctly before you go to the next step. This is one of those measure twice and cut once situations.
Cut out your cork with an X-acto knife using the template as a guide.
Then cut out the chalkboard with either a jig saw or a scroll saw. I used a jig saw only because I didn't have a scroll saw in my tool stash. I do think the scroll saw would have been quicker.
Please use all appropriate safety precautions because saws and X-acto knives are cutty and no one wants to go around with a few missing fingers just because they were in a hurry.
Adhere your cork and chalkboards to the tennis racket with your glue. Remember, you are placing this directly over the existing strings.
Attach a shuttlecock to the chalkboard racket to be used as a chalk holder.
Be prepared for an organized life!
You could pin receipts, photos or all sorts of things to the bulletin board. I thought the flash cards were cute for right now though.
I got a little fancy with my chalkboard note (is that a Brady Bunch song?), but you could just as easily write reminders for the dog's vet appointment there or your grocery list.
OK, now that you have your badminton game perfected, pop on over and see what my friends have done with their thrift store finds, because it's Thrift Store Decor Wednesday!!!
Petticoat Junktion - Burlap Gift Bags
My Repurposed Life - TV Tray Table Makeover
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia - Mirror Makeover
Sadie Seasongoods - Upcycling A Clam Hod As A Pumpkin Basket
Domestically Speaking - Octopus Shell Art
Our Southern Home - Carved Tray Makeover
House Of Hawthornes - Badminton Racket Repurpose (that's me)
More posts you may enjoy:
Fun And Functional Vintage Croquet Set Repurpose
Maryann
Absolutely brilliant! Such a creative makeover - LOVE it!
Kathy Owen
This is the best idea I've seen in a while! Love how you repurposed the rackets. I'm on the hunt for rackets. I've passed them up lately!!!
Leslie Schmidt
This is so inventive, Pam! I like that you didn't refinish or paint the wooden rackets. They have such a warm, rustic feel to them. And the shuttlecock for a chalk holder is really clever. I have never seen these sets in any thrift store I've ever been in. You must have good junk in your area.
Kristin salazar
This is so clever and cute, I love how they turned out!
Miranda Jo
This is such a clever & fun upcycle w/ so much character! The shuttlecock chalk holder? You mic dropped us on the cute factor right there, haha! Now you've given me the urge to go hunting for badminton rackets as well; I'd love to try this w/ a third racket acting as a magnet board. I think it'd also be fun to attempt to make some mini shuttlecock tacks for the cork board by cutting out pieces of the white mesh, wrapping them around clear or red thumb tacks (the latter option might kind of resemble the red nose, I hope) & adhering the edges down w/ E6000 glue. Thank you so much for sharing such an awesome project, as well as for the crafty inspiration!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
I love these so much! Such a fun idea!
Marty Kohlbaker
LOVE that idea!! My youngest son played tennis in high school and I think he would love this on his wall. I'm a sight person when making crafts and things so this helped me. Thank you for this idea!
Trena B Cable
This is the cutest idea ever. Love, love love.
Sarah Ramberg
The birdie holding the chalk!! Oh my gosh, these are fantastic.