How To: 5 Cool DIY Projects for Reusing Your Old Computer Keyboards

5 Cool DIY Projects for Reusing Your Old Computer Keyboards

With how quickly technology evolves in this day and age, it's only natural that people replace their computers every couple years—even sooner. It seems that right when you get a new desktop, there's always a faster model with more features released the following week.

What do you do with all of those leftover computers? Computer waste is a serious plight on the environment, causing landfills buildup that can take a loooong time to break down.

Image via spraygraphic.com

So, finding creative ways to reuse and upcycle old computer parts is a necessity. And there's many awesome things that you can make out of old computer parts, especially keyboards. Here are just 5 crazy examples of ways to make use of your old keyboards.

Image via photoshelter.com

Keyboard Circuit Wallet

Are you sick of your dumb old leather wallet? I know I am! So why not make something better (and geekier)? Ryan MacFarland from Zieak tore apart his old computer keyboard and made a wallet out of the circuit sheet! It's fashionable, and way cooler than any store-bought wallet could ever hope to be.

Images via flickr.com

Ryan also used those keyboard sheets to make document folders.

Image via instructables.com

Keyboard Earring Display

How could a keyboard be reused in such a way that someone hasn't done it already a thousand times over? Why not tear it apart and make an earring holder?

Image via staticflickr.com

Flickr user Uninorth13's brilliant use of an old key ring makes for the perfect functional jewelry holder. Even the cord holding it to the wall is made from keyboard parts!

Computer Key Bag

While there isn't a tutorial for this, I felt like I needed to include it because of how creative it is.

Image via neatoshop.com

These purses are for sale over at Neato Shop for almost $40! That's way too much, so just grab yourself an old bag or purse, some computer keys, and a hot glue gun and you're in business!

Computer Key Journals

Here is an awesome way to look cool in school, thanks to Danny Seo!

Image via dailydanny.com

All this project requires is some old keyboards, journals, and hot glue! What could be simpler than that? Not much, I assure you.

Steampunk Keyboard

I have saved the best (and naturally most difficult) way to upcycle your old keyboard for last. The fine folks over at Steampunk Workshop have an amazing and detailed tutorial on how to turn an old, boring keyboard into a sweet, steampunk one. You have to appreciate that handy work.

Images via steampunkworkshop.com

Well, there are the 5 ways to reuse and repurpose your old keyboard. There are probably hundreds of other ideas out there for keyboard projects. You could even use a keyboard as a nifty seed starter if you wanted.

Do you have any better ideas? Share in the comments below!

Junk computer photos by Elizabeth Dalziel, Charles Bodi

Just updated your iPhone to iOS 18? You'll find a ton of hot new features for some of your most-used Apple apps. Dive in and see for yourself:

1 Comment

Share Your Thoughts

  • Hot
  • Latest