After decades of environmentalists harping about the destruction of the natural world, the desire to protect precious resources is finally becoming commonplace. In this age of recycling and reusing, people are looking for ways to bring new life to things rather than just disposing of them out of hand. Being able to think creatively is the first step to figuring out fun ways to repurpose maps.
Depending on the size of the map, it can be cut up to create other elements. Many artists use old maps in collage and mixed media pieces. They will cut up a large USA Wall Map and use it as the basis for a single artwork or distribute the pieces through a series of different pieces.
Old maps can be cut up and shaped into envelopes and book covers. Lighter colored maps can be made into notepads or stationary paper. Lampshades and window shades can be covered with maps to give a room a new look. This can be accomplished by tearing pages from an old atlas or using a collection of road maps.
Another use for larger maps, such as an oversized Ohio Wall Map is as wallpaper. Simply gather a dozen or more large wall maps and affix them to the wall as if they were one continuous pattern.
Maps can be turned into calendars, used in scrapbook projects, or be donated to a school to be used in classroom art projects. Smaller maps can be affixed to cardstock and cut into small pieces to become an educational puzzle.
What ideas do you have for repurposing old maps?