Repurpose your monitor with these creative tips

Use it as a second display

Adding a second monitor can significantly boost your productivity, especially if you multitask or work from home. It lets you move documents, spreadsheets, or apps like Slack onto the extra screen, keeping your main display clutter-free.

Gamers and streamers use it to track chats or monitor performance stats during live sessions. With a dual-monitor setup, juggling tasks becomes smoother and more efficient.

Turn it into a digital dashboard

Convert your old monitor into a customizable command center with helpful widgets and real-time updates. Connecting it to a Raspberry Pi or any lightweight PC lets you use services like DAKboard or SharpTools to show your calendar, task list, stock tickers, or smart home metrics.

Mount it near your desk or the kitchen wall for an always-visible productivity hub that helps organize your day without distracting from your main work screen.

Make it a dedicated smart TV

Transform your unused monitor into a compact smart TV setup by connecting a device like Roku, Chromecast, or Fire TV Stick via HDMI. You can stream shows, movies, or even cast from your phone.

This is perfect for secondary rooms like a guest bedroom, kitchen, or small apartment. If your monitor lacks built-in speakers, pair it with external speakers or a Bluetooth soundbar for a richer media experience.

Create a lightbox for photography or art

Old monitors with dead pixels or broken inputs can shine as light sources. By stripping out internal circuitry and adding LED strips, you can build a lightbox ideal for tracing, product photography, or mood lighting.

Artists can use it as a backlight for stencilling, while content creators can incorporate it into their recording setup. It’s a more involved DIY, but a satisfying one if you’re into hands-on projects.

Gift or donate it

If your monitor still works but isn’t valuable, consider donating it to a local school, charity, or community center. Many educational and nonprofit institutions need tech; a monitor can be helpful in their setup.

Even family members or neighbours may appreciate the gesture, especially for kids needing a screen for remote learning or gaming. Just check compatibility and offer the power cable and any necessary adapters.

Recycle it responsibly

Monitors contain harmful materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium that should never be in landfills. Instead, take your monitor to an e-waste recycling center. Retailers like Best Buy, Staples, and even city waste programs often offer drop-off points for electronics.

Responsible recycling ensures reusable metals and glass are reclaimed while keeping toxins out of soil and water.

Build a Raspberry Pi project

Old monitors are perfect partners for Raspberry Pi projects. Whether you’re building a DIY arcade cabinet, a bright weather display, or a portable Linux desktop, the monitor provides a valuable visual interface.

Even basic 720p screens work great for headless tasks, coding environments, or creative applications. Mount the monitor, power it with your Pi, and watch your ideas come to life.

Use it as a Zoom-only screen

Video conferencing has become part of everyday life, but jumping between tabs can be annoying. Using an old monitor solely for Zoom or Google Meet calls keeps your workspace uncluttered.

You can keep your primary screen focused on notes or documents, while your meeting stays full-screen and distraction-free on the secondary monitor. Add a webcam and headset for a streamlined video calling setup that rivals dedicated conferencing gear.

Make a digital photo frame

Turn your old monitor into a rotating art gallery by displaying your favourite photos or inspirational images. Install a lightweight OS or photo slideshow software and load it with your albums.

You can even connect it to Google Photos or Dropbox for dynamic updates. Set it up in the living room or office to add personality and warmth, especially useful if you have a collection of unused family pictures stored away.

Set it up in the kitchen

A kitchen monitor can be surprisingly helpful. Mount it above the counter to view recipe websites, stream how-to videos, or display shopping lists. Connect it to a mini PC or old laptop tucked away out of reach of spills and messes.

You can even play music, check your calendar, or use it to control smart appliances. With some cleanup, your retired monitor becomes the kitchen assistant you didn’t know you needed.

Create a guest room workstation

A dedicated monitor in the guest room is a thoughtful touch, especially for visiting students, remote workers, or travellers who bring laptops. Provide a wireless keyboard and mouse, and they’ll have a complete workstation.

You don’t need high-end specs; even basic 1080p monitors are more than enough for casual browsing, email, or streaming. It’s an easy upgrade that makes guests feel more welcome and self-sufficient.

Build a security monitor display

Pair your monitor with a home security system or IP cameras to create a dedicated surveillance screen. Software like Blue Iris or iSpy can split feeds across the screen, giving live visuals of your home or office.

Position the screen near an entryway or workstation so you can keep tabs on activity without needing to check your phone or open an app. It’s a valuable upgrade for home security on a budget.

Use it for retro gaming

Got a fondness for old-school games? Pair your monitor with a Raspberry Pi or a retro console emulator and relive NES, SNES, Sega, and PlayStation classics. Add a USB gamepad and you’re ready to go.

Many classic games don’t need high refresh rates or resolutions, so even older monitors do the job well. This makes a fun project for a game room, den, or weekend nostalgia binge.

Add it to a DIY home office setup

You can integrate your old monitor into your main desk in creative ways. Rotate it vertically to display code, chat windows, or social feeds. Use monitor arms to mount it above your primary display, saving desk space and improving ergonomics.

This is especially helpful if you’re into design, finance, or any job that benefits from having persistent reference material on hand.

Repurpose for craft or maker projects

Monitors can be disassembled and upcycled into all sorts of creative projects. Makers often use the plastic casing, screen panel, or backlight strips for DIY lighting, robotics, or cosplay builds.

Even broken monitors are valuable for scavenging components. You can find creative uses like turning old screens into jewelry, art installations, or eco-friendly desk organizers.

Got your creative projects covered? Now see what’s pushing the limits of gaming hardware next: How the RTX 5090 Redefines 4K and AI Gaming.

Sell it for spare parts or repair

Not every old monitor belongs in your home forever. If you’ve exhausted creative options, consider selling it online, especially if it still powers on. Many buyers are looking for affordable screens for small projects, or even broken units they can repair.

Platforms like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to find interested buyers. It’s a responsible and potentially profitable way to extend the monitor’s life.

While clearing out old gear, here’s one feature you’ll want in your following setup: Asus Power Monitoring Feature Stops Nvidia GPU Disasters.

What do you think about these tips for reusing your old computer monitors? Please share your thoughts and drop a comment.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.