Ways to Repurpose Old Wagons… In Your Home & Garden

I have always appreciated the worn out, cast aside and forgotten. For me, the rustier the better! I have a soft spot for what others consider trash. I see new life and beauty through creative eyes.

When my four children outgrew their red wagon, I wasn’t about to kick it to the curb. I had ideas for that wagon….lots of ideas! In fact, I had so many ideas that over time I needed more wagons. I was always in the right place at the right time, scoring wagons of all sizes for a bargain… BIG bargains.

Lately, I’ve been circling the wagons, rounding up photos of how I’ve used them in decor, both inside and outside of our home. I hope you enjoy this little wagon ride.

Let’s get rolling!

GARDEN PLANTERS

One of my favorite uses for repurposing an old wagon is transforming it into a planter. I use wagons to hold all kinds of flower and vegetable containers. This is the easiest method and is also easier on the life of the wagon bed. I prefer to use old plates under my containers to catch excess water.

When the Petunias and Azaleas bloom in the same color, it’s a beautiful way to greet all who enter our comfy home. This wagon repurposed as a pretty planter filled with blooms makes a strong case for repurposing!

A Spring display in our backyard! Repurposing a wagon into a seasonal flower display creates a beautiful sight. Don’t you agree?!

When it rains, I dump the water… usually. Once, after a period of lots of rain… and lots of dumping, I wanted drainage holes drilled in the wagon beds, but my husband advised against, believing they’d rust out faster. He suggested grommets for the drilled holes, if I still wanted to drill for drainage. So far, I’ve managed without holes.

Not only is a wagon filled with flowers so pretty, it’s also practical. I love it when pretty and practical join together! A mobile garden on wheels can be easily moved. YES to upcycling all around the yard!

I’ve seen wagon gardens filled with dirt. I’ve not tried it though because the depth of a wagon is pretty shallow. Plants need room for their roots to grow deeply. One of these days I just might try it using tons of white Alyssum seeds, creating an overflow of little white blooms. Wouldn’t that be spectacular?!!!

This backdoor garden of lettuce and spinach is quite handy. Plus, the bunnies leave it alone. This was once my children’s wagon. By repurposing it, the wagon has a new life with plants along for the ride. It makes me smile.

This old wagon has traveled around… from an antique store to my first home, Little Blue Cottage, and now residing at Comfy Lane Cottage. I keep it near the door and near to my heart. It was a Mother’s Day gift from my children when little. It caught my eye, so their daddy snuck back and bought the wagon. It was my first wagon to repurpose.

I’ve since repainted my treasured wagon. Blue stands out much better against the bricks. Who said a wagon must be red?! It’s blue-tiful!

This little cutie is my welcome wagon placed in the garden beside our brick pathway leading to the door. Faux flowers can be just as pretty as real ones. Repurposing a toy wagon into a planter makes for a whimsical greeting of family and friends.

HOLIDAY DISPLAYS

Years ago, I hosted wagon decor tours on Instagram…… #wagondecortour ! I gathered up women with wagons, and had them share photographs of their wagons all gussied up and decorated for various holidays and seasons. It was inspiring seeing everyone’s creative ideas for repurposing their wagons. Wagons make wonderful holiday displays!

This is one of my favorite Fourth of July displays. A repurposed wagon never looked cuter or more patriotic!

This fun Fall display of pumpkins was for my #wagondecortour on Instagram. Pumpkins galore!

It’s apple season in this cute and cozy set up. Wagon rides around the yard and gardens are always a big hit with the little ones. Such fond memories pulling that wagon! These scarecrows are holding hands and holding on for the ride.

Halloween at our house is a perfect balance of cute and creepy. My husband likes it creepy. I’m for team cute. Did you notice two wagons repurposed for this outdoor decor? Trick-or-treaters enjoy all the pumpkins, as do the naughty nibbling squirrels!

A wagon cornucopia for Thanksgiving! Thankful and blessed! You don’t even need the cornucopia basket; the wagon itself works well repurposed as a cornucopia filled to the overflow.

How cute is this! It’s one of my favorite Christmas photos in front of our greenhouse! Such an easy display! The greenhouse is an upcycled project using repurposed old wooden windows. Almost everything in this picture was thrifted or rescued from the curb, including the wagon.

This is our family’s memory tree. So sentimental and nostalgic! The big red wagon holds our gifts and is part of the vintage display.

A few favorite Christmas books once enjoyed by my children are displayed in the small toy wagon surrounded by vintage family toys.

Let it Snow! I’ve always wanted to set up a Christmas tree in a red wagon. This snow themed tree is sitting adorably in the wagon bed, surrounded by wrapped gifts. The snow cutie, a gift from my oldest son, also gets a wagon ride for Christmas.

This setting just captures the child in all of us! These repurposed old wagons are a big part of the Christmas charm.

Every year at Christmas time we bring out the childhood bears to greet our guests. They make for a cozy cuddly Christmas display. From our driveway to the doorway, we have several welcome wagons displayed to greet loved ones. A repurposed wagon creates a warm welcome, even when it’s cold outside.❄️

Red wagons come in all sizes. I’m always on the hunt for a bargain wagon at thrift stores and estate sales. This Valentine’s Day corner cabinet is decorated with darling miniatures. If one wagon is cute, then two are even cuter.

Love is in the air! I have heart eyes for this wagon, my grown children’s wagon while growing up, a gift from Grandpa. It is still filled with love.

This nostalgic photo that I shared on Instagram caught the eye of Radio Flyer. I was delighted when they asked permission to use the photo. An old toy wagon repurposed as an Easter basket is pretty sweet.

CENTERPIECES

Toy wagons are not just fun for kids. I like to play with them as well, coming up with all kinds of fun ideas to repurpose them as table centerpieces. They’re the perfect size for a table top. I’m always delighted to score them for cheap. With a little creativity, they make a big statement center stage on the table.

This patriotic centerpiece is easy peasy to create. An old wagon, 3 mason jars, and dollar store bandanas in red, white and blue are all you need. Add a few extra touches like a ribbon or star, and you’re ready to roll!

I grow lavender and harvest the blooms for gifts, crafts and scented displays. A wagon load of lavender smells divine. It’s perfect for a Valentine’s Day centerpiece. So romantic!

This is our Thanksgiving dining room table centerpiece, a wagon cornucopia. A repurposed wagon filled with Fall goodies is definitely a blessing to others.

Even the kids’ table at Thanksgiving gets a wagon centerpiece!

In September, I decorate with an apple theme. I collect all kinds of apple decor just for this time of year. A wagon load of apples is actually quite colorful and pretty. They’re ready for snacking!

With a wagon load of apples, you’re just about set for a caramel apple bar. Bring out the caramel and toppings, and you’re ready to roll. A caramel apple bar is a fun family gathering.

DISPLAYING COLLECTIONS

Seeing a wagon filled with special treasures just catches the heart. Whatever you collect, from rusty old tins to beautiful milk glass, they look AMAZING displayed in a wagon. Any size wagon will work wonderfully. Here are a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve been complimented on this thermos collection. The thrifted toy wagon sets it apart. It’s a whimsical way to display them.

I have a special Christmas tree just for our Shiny Brites ornament collection in our living room each year. However, I save the pink ornaments to display with Grandma Mamie’s colorful quilt. This rusty wagon bed looks lovely filled with lace and delicate ornaments. Contrasting rusty metal with delicate beauties is a wonderful way to display repurposed treasures.

My Mama’s old cookbooks are always fondly set out to remind me of how she did all things with love. The nostalgia of a little red wagon, handmade doily and vintage red gingham cookbooks creates a warm feeling for all. This is why I repurpose and upcycle old things.

Roll with it! Notice the vintage red and cream stove in the background. RED ties it all together wonderfully. A thrifted little wagon isn’t expected for displaying rolling pins, but you have to admit it looks pretty cute.

I have a very small collection of coffee tins… just the right size for this Radio Flyer wagon. The Cafe Bustelo can was my dad’s. We share an affinity for coffee. I’m quite sentimental, a typical trait for vintage collectors. We find ways to celebrate the past through repurposing old things in new ways.

These are just a few of my husband’s oil and gas can collections. He tolerates my funky displays of his rusty ol’ things. In fact, I think he secretly enjoys it! I’m so glad that this worn wagon has brought decades of smiles to others. Repurposing has a way of doing that!

I have a thing for lonely lost chairs, old wooden ones without a mate. I get them from ReStore when they’re marked down to $1 or sometimes even for free. On occasion, I will hit the brakes when I see a curbside cast off chair. A curb to cottage find! With a fresh coat of paint, they look beautiful in the garden for a few years. When they fall apart, I save the spindles for displaying. Chippy paint looks awesome in a repurposed wagon found at an estate sale!

Are you ready to get rolling with your own wagon now?! So many possibilities! I sure hope that you’ve enjoyed this wagon tour of the ways to repurpose a wagon in your home and garden. A wagon load of ideas is meant to be shared. Thanks for joining me on this fun wagon ride! All puns intended!