What can I do with an old phone??

Question

I bought a house and there is a really ugly phone that is attached to the hole in the entrance way.

Sandy Hentila · Answer

Use a large shadow box to enclose the phone and keep it for display right on the wall.

Mala · Answer

Hi,  congratulations on your new home.  You could put an antique looking frame around the phone or just write above or to the side of it...'put your finger in the hole of the number you want to dial'

Sandro Visani · Answer

Remove the cover, remove as much of the interior as you can and the cord, glue the hand set to the main box to transform it into a handle, hang small hooks inside and transform it into a key caddy.

Aziz Siddiqui · Answer

Am a grandfather, So: Clean it as much as you can, put a fresh paint, And Put a placard above it saying:' GRAND FATGER'S PHONE', or what ever best comes to your mind. Your visitors will love ur.

Katii Blood · Answer

Not a repurposing idea, but If you have a landline, the phone should work (unless its been destroyed somehow, but age won't do it).

Deanna Nassar · Answer

Usually these have a jack behind them and hang on a hook attached to back of phone.  Try pushing up on base to release the hook.  If it won't come down that way you have the option of taking it apart by prying off cover ans disconnecting insides  or frame it with sign saying antique.  Attach cup hooks to bottom of frame for keys or small items.  If you don't like the color it can be painted.

Rc Shoe · Answer

Check out this video of installing wall phone. It illustrates the process for hanging, so just reverse it to take it down.

Mj · Answer

Don't get rid of it. If you ever loose electric power in your area, these old phones work like a champ. I found out the hard way. Keep it handy ~

Stella Love · Answer

You can remove it quite easy it's just hooked to the wall  and probably has a very short cord that you just unplug.

Wowhavs · Answer

It will eventually be worth some money to a collector.....

LaFawne · Answer

You could always hang a large straw basket over it, until you decide on a permanent fix  :)

Cathie Mars · Answer

If you have children learning numbers/letters, why not take it down and let them play with it; also learning their own phone # along with grandma's number and 911. When to call 911 etc..

Linda Johnson · Answer

I'd leave it there.  If you don't want to see it, you can make a wood box to put over it and put 'emergency phone' or something else on the box.

Darline · Answer

It should be easy to remove, and the remaining mar to your wall should be easy to cover.  As far as the phone, I'd paint it with a design and put a base of a painted brick glued under it and use it as either a doorstop or a garden decoration.

V Nichols · Answer

I'd build a small box with a door around it. On the inside of the door put about 4 hooks, for keys. Stencil 'keys' or something else on the outside of the door. Also, put a small shelf top on the top of the box to put a few knick knacks on. Make it into a useful decorative box.

B · Answer

Paint it in psychedelic colors in zentangle  fashion. Color all numbers in black and then paint on your families lastname or what have you. It would make a good conversational piece when guests come over.

Joan Stanley · Answer

Take it off.  You can use it for  other décor but the entryway its just ugly. There's a plate behind it that is just screwed into the wall. not too hard to cover up.

Briar · Answer

Make a mini phone booth.

CrowEyes · Answer

Sell it on eBay and put the money towards a piece of wall de or to cover the spot. ;)

LibraryKAT · Answer

They come off the wall; they're just screwed onto a plate underneath them.  If the plate is still there, stuck somehow, or you are left with a hole, either patch it or hang something you love over it.

Lynn Couch · Answer

Hang a wooden box over it. Use the top of the box for what knots...

Melinda Worrell Namanny · Answer

Plant real or
faux succulents in the receiver. I think the pieces both can be unscrewed.

Susan · Answer

Take it off and hang a cordless phone there. Those phones are not that old and are still completely useable. You might just need a corded phone when the electric goes out....

Kyralee · Answer

One man's ugly is another man's gorgeous.  I love it!  Find someone else who does and make them a trade.

Lisa St Cin Cionko · Answer

Put a picture frame around the phone then paint the inside of frame, around the phone, with chalkboard paint. Then leave numbers or notes on chalkboard.

Gama · Answer

Keep it for when the electric goes out then you'll have a phone to use. Cordless don't work when the electric goes out.

Cindy · Answer

Just keep it where it is, I have an old dial phone.  The only one that is useable during a lighting storm!

Kcama · Answer

Love the chalkboard idea, make it poster size, maybe unhook the earpiece and place it in an opposite corner with a speech bubble that says 'it's for you' or something. ('Call your mother!') If you're not going to use the phone, you could even paint it any color you want.

Janet AF · Answer

the phone is not embedded in the wall, just the phone Jack.  If you don't have land line service and want this gone it is easy to remove. pull up and Then out on the phone base it will slide off the studs that are part of the Jack. once the phone is off there will be screws exposed. you can unscrew these and it will expose the back of the back and the wires. you can unscrew or just cut these they are not high voltage so won't hurt you. It is a good idea to clip the exposed wire back so the wire is covered by the insulation. If you worry about the exposed ends simply tape them off with electrical tape. you can then buy a simple blind plate and screw it to the existing box in the wall. you can then hang a picture or whatever to cover the blind plate or just leave as is. If you don't want the blind plate you could of course patch the drywall that's a whole new project.

Antique · Answer

recycle to your local thrift store.    Some people like vintage phones and this way  you get rid of it, someone who wants one can purchase for a nominal amount and the thrift store - one that is charity based makes a little profit that goes to help someone in need

What can I do with an old phone??

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What can I do with an old phone??

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