You probably have an old set of speakers lying in some corner of the house. Dust them off; it's time to breathe new life into those trusty woofers. It doesn't matter whether they still work or not, there's a perfect weekend DIY project waiting for you.

It's not only about those gigantic old analog speakers in wooden cases, which are indeed magnificent; all types of speakers are salvageable. You can repurpose car speakers into a booming living room set, or turn a set of computer speakers into an internet radio.

All you need is some time on your hands, an ability to follow instructions, and a little elbow grease.

If the Speakers Still Work

diy speakers still working

There is no sense in throwing away a perfectly functional gadget.

As long as the speakers can crank out reliable audio, that's what you should use them for. Where you get creative is in figuring out the source of the audio.

1. Turn Old Desktop Speakers Into a Loud Charging Station

You aren't alone. None of us have any use for that set of desktop PC speakers we got with our last computer. Until you see this little transformation written about on Instructables, that is, which can be the perfect DIY project for beginners.

diy speakers charging plastic

It's simple and doesn't need any soldering. A screwdriver, a box knife or a pair of scissors, and some electrical tape are all you need.

The first step is to open up and disassemble the speakers. It's easier than it sounds, since you'll only have to salvage the transformer, amplifier, and drivers. Place the components into a large plastic box and cut a few strategic holes for the wires, as demonstrated.

You'll need to create a makeshift grill out of the box's lid. The phone sits on top, and you're ready to go.

2. Make an Internet Radio

Remember the good old days when you tuned in to the radio for your favorite songs? Yeah, it was a long time ago. But we do see the charm of it, especially that of a radio station playing in the background as you go about your day. No creating playlists, no choosing the next song; it doles out different beats one after another.

diy speakers internet radio

You'll need a pair of functional desktop speakers and our favorite computer-on-a-chip, the Raspberry Pi. And if you're up for a little woodworking, you can make the system you see above.

Check out this guide to setting up the Raspberry Pi internet radio by DIY enthusiast Bob Rathbone. If you have more time to work on another project, you'll love these incredible DIY ideas for tech geeks.

3. Turn Car Speakers Into a Boombox

Unless you're an audiophile, the best speakers you have are probably in your car. Automakers use good hardware for the speakers, especially the drivers. You might want to salvage that before you sell an old vehicle.

diy speakers car stereo

Although this is among one of the more ambitious projects on this list, you can still do it. Car speakers require a power converter, so you'll need to learn how to make one.

You'll also need to add an amplifier to the system if you don't already have one. Here is a helpful guide to making a speaker set from reclaimed car speakers.

All put together, it's probably easier just to buy a new set of home audio speakers. But let's be honest, where's the fun in that?

4. The Lethargic Option: Add a Chromecast

For those who don't want any DIY effort, the simplest option is to add a Chromecast. The Chromecast Audio dongle makes any speakers wireless, so you can use your phone to play tunes from them.

diy speakers chromecast audio

Before you start setting up the Chromecast, ensure that you have a compatible tablet, TV with an HDMI port, phone, and stable Wi-Fi connection. You can also use the Chromecast with a laptop or computer.

If the Speakers Don't Work

Now, let's say your speakers no longer work. This is when we get to have a lot more fun. Avengers, disassemble!

FixitClub has provided basic instructions on how to disassemble and repair speakers safely, but you might want to search the internet for your specific model.

Neat disassembly also yields good reusable materials like the large magnets stuck on the drivers. They're even better than what you get from disassembling your old hard drive.

5. Repurpose Grills as Earring Holders

The grills on the front of the speakers are absolutely perfect to double up as earring holders. Ideally, dismantle them to get the full grill. If you are cutting them out, be careful, you want to avoid any jagged edges.

diy speakers grill

Hang the grills on a wall or throw them in a drawer. Remember: the grills are metallic, so you can spray paint them blend well with your interior decor.

6. Speakers Make Excellent Bookshelves and Wooden Furniture

The wooden boxes of old speakers are the most reusable parts. You can turn them into almost anything you want, from bookshelves to tables.

diy speakers table

For a beginner woodworker, the bookshelf setup will be the place to start. Hollow it out, sand it down, polish it up, and you'll have a lovely new piece of furniture. If you have a set of two speakers, you might want to consider turning them into bedside tables.

For advanced woodworkers, try this eye-popping project to turn a set of speakers into an incredible table.

If you'd like to upgrade your entertainment system but don't have a lot of money to spend, here's how you can build a home theater on a tight budget.

7. Old Speaker Into a Bluetooth Speaker

Although your old speakers may be outdated, you can still upgrade them for cheap. For this project, you’ll need a Bluetooth receiver and cables. The receiver converts a wireless Bluetooth audio signal to an electrical audio one.

With this Bluetooth speaker, you can stream content from Bluetooth compatible devices. As such, you can watch videos on your smartphone or laptop, and enjoy a punchy bass from this speaker.

What Did You Do With Old Speakers?

At this point of your life, you've probably been through a few sets of old speakers. If you don't want to throw them out, fear not because there are plenty of exciting ways to get creative with them.

It doesn't matter if you make a new bookshelf, create a charging station, or something else. Think outside the box and you'll certainly have hours of fun.