What to Do With Old Knife Blocks: 7 Re-Purposing Ideas

Your old knife block storage may have lost its original purpose, but that doesn’t mean it’s destined for the landfill. Instead of discarding it, you can consider giving it a new lease on life through creative and practical transformations.

There are clever and creative ways that you can re-purpose this seemingly obsolete kitchen item. You can transform your old knife blocks into a versatile kitchen utensil holder, providing a tidy home for your spatulas, ladles, and cooking spoons.

Your old knife block can also become a handy cookbook stand, making your recipe-following endeavors more convenient than ever. It can securely hold your favorite cookbooks or tablet with just a few wooden sticks and some simple adjustments.

We will discuss some ideas and guide you through the entire process of repurposing your kitchen companion into functional additions to your kitchen.

What to Do With Old Knife Blocks: 7 Ideas for Reusing

Many options are available if you want to reuse your old knife blocks.

Now, take a look at each old knife block repurposing idea with the process so that you can use it again in your kitchen.

1. Kitchen Utensil Holder

We discovered that you can repurpose your old knife block into a functional kitchen utensil holder by modifying the slots to fit your specific tools.

Start by deciding what type of utensils you want to store in the block, whether it’s spatulas, ladles, or cooking spoons. Measure the slots in the knife block to see if they fit your chosen utensils. If not, you can widen or deepen them with appropriate tools.

We suggest you use a saw with fine teeth, like a hacksaw or coping saw, to trim and widen the slots. For deepening the slots, a chisel and mallet will come in handy. After adjusting the slots, smoothen the surfaces with sandpaper or a sanding block.

Once you’ve prepared the block, add a personal touch by painting or decorating it. Consider adding hooks or small containers for additional storage.

2. Cookbook Stand

You can also give your old knife block a new life as a cookbook stand. To transform your old knife block into a functional cookbook stand, you’ll need a few simple materials and a touch of creativity.

You’ll need two wooden sticks or dowels and some pins or glue for a wooden knife block. Cut the wooden sticks to a length slightly wider than your cookbook’s pages, and sand the edges to smooth them out.

Then, attach them to the sides of the knife block at a comfortable angle using pins or strong wood glue.  Once the sticks are firmly attached, your wooden knife block cookbook stand is ready to use.

If you have a plastic knife block, the process is similar to the wooden one. Measure and cut two pieces of plastic or acrylic sticks to the desired length.

You can then attach them to the sides of the knife block at an appropriate angle using strong plastic glue or epoxy. Be sure to allow the glue to dry thoroughly before using your newly repurposed plastic knife block storage as a cookbook stand.

3. Cutlery Drying Rack

Using your old knife block as a cutlery drying rack is another way to repurpose it. You’ll need a saw, sandpaper, a ruler, and safety goggles to turn your old knife block into a cutlery drying rack.

Begin by ensuring your knife block is empty and clean. Carefully measure and mark the center of the knife block’s top surface, ensuring it’s large enough to accommodate your cutlery.

With your safety goggles on, carefully cut along the marked lines using the saw, creating an opening for your cutlery to stand upright. Once the cut is complete, use sandpaper to smooth the rough edges and create a clean, safe surface.

Place your freshly cut knife block on your countertop, and insert your clean cutlery, allowing it to air dry naturally.

This clever repurpose of an old knife block helps keep your cutlery organized and dry and minimizes the need for additional storage solutions.

4. Cutting Board Stand

Repurposing your old knife block into a cutting board stand could be the solution to reduce kitchen clutter. To start, gather the needed materials, including a sturdy wooden stick or dowel and some strong adhesive or screws.

Assess your knife block’s orientation and choose the side where you want to attach the stick, preferably the one with the widest base for stability. Using a saw, trim the wooden stick or dowel to the desired length, ensuring that it’s long enough to support your cutting board comfortably.

Next, secure the stick to the knife block. You can choose to use a strong adhesive like wood glue or epoxy, applying it generously to the end of the stick that will attach to the block.

Alternatively, you can use screws to ensure a more robust connection. In this case, pre-drill holes in both the block and the stick to prevent splitting, and then fasten them together securely with screws.

Once the stick is firmly attached to the knife block, you have a new cutting board stand. Simply place your cutting board on top of the stand, and you have an upcycled and eco-friendly kitchen accessory that provides functionality and reduces clutter.

5. iPad/Tablet Holder for Cooking

If you love to cook and refer to recipe tutorials on your iPad or tablet, keeping your device clean and safe while cooking may be tricky as many people experience.

You can make cooking and following recipes easier by converting the knife block into an iPad or tablet holder.

To begin, attach a small ledge to the back of the knife block to hold your device. You may use a strong adhesive or screws to secure the ledge carefully.

Ensure that the ledge is long enough to accommodate your device, giving it enough surface area to stay put.

6. Coffee Pod Holder

If you’re a coffee enthusiast and have an old knife block lying around, then consider transforming it into a handy and stylish coffee pod holder.

To do this, first, measure and mark the center point on the knife block using a ruler and pencil. You’ll then need to saw or cut the block in half along the marked line. Once you have your two halves, you can adjust the depth of the slots to fit your coffee pods using a chisel or sandpaper.

The slots must be the right size to hold your coffee pods snugly and securely, so be sure to do this with precision. After creating the slots, you can sand the edges of the cut surfaces to give your coffee pod holder a polished look.

Arrange your coffee pods in the slots and display your transformed knife block on your countertop as an interesting and practical coffee pod holder.

7. Shabby Chic Kitchen Decor

You can create a shabby chic-inspired piece of decor by transforming your old knife block. Begin by cleaning the knife block thoroughly. Use sandpaper to create a slightly distressed look on the surface.

Choose your paint colors carefully to complement your kitchen decor. Pastel shades such as soft blues, pale pinks, or mint greens are ideal colors for shabby chic design.

Apply a base coat and let it dry, then add a second coat for better coverage. After the paint is dry, lightly sand edges and corners, revealing the original wood underneath.

For the decoupage technique, use vintage floral or lace-patterned paper or fabric to create a unique and textured effect on the surface of the knife block.

Cut the paper or fabric to fit the sides of the knife block and adhere them with decoupage glue. Apply another layer of glue on top to seal it.

Complete your shabby chic-inspired knife block by adding decorative knobs or handles. Vintage-style knobs with intricate details or porcelain handles will enhance the overall shabby chic appeal.

You can use the transformed knife block as a utensil holder or display it as a rustic decorative element on your countertop. It will add character and style to your kitchen decor.

FAQ’s: What to Do With Old Knife Blocks

A lot of homeowners have questions about repurposing old knife blocks. Here are some questions we think may be helpful to you.

Can I repurpose a knife block that’s in poor condition or damaged?

Repurposing a knife block that’s in damaged or poor condition is possible, depending on the extent of the damage.

Minor issues like scratches, scuffs, or cosmetic damage can often be addressed through sanding, painting, or refinishing, making the block suitable for repurposing.

However, if the damage affects the structural integrity of the block, such as cracks, deep splits, or severe warping, it may not be a safe or practical candidate for repurposing.

Can I use a repurposed knife block in a commercial kitchen setting?

Using a repurposed knife block in the kitchen of a commercial establishment is possible, but we don’t recommend it. Commercial kitchens might benefit from professional-grade kitchen accessories designed to meet rigorous standards rather than repurposed items. They are typically better suited for home kitchens.

How often should repurposed knife blocks be cleaned?

As with any other kitchen tool, repurposed knife blocks should be cleaned every two to four weeks. However, the frequency may vary depending on how frequently you use them and the types of knives you store in them.

If you use your knife block daily and store a variety of knives with different ingredients, it’s good practice to clean it more often.

Conclusion

Your old knife block can find a new purpose and bring creativity to your kitchen. Whether it’s as a handy utensil holder, cookbook stand, cutlery drying rack, cutting board stand, or a shabby chic decor piece, there are endless possibilities to explore.

With a little imagination and some simple tools, you can turn a kitchen staple into a functional, eco-friendly addition that adds flair to your kitchen.

So, don’t toss that old knife block into the landfill. Give it a second life, and let it continue to serve you in style.