Satellite dishes come in various sizes, and if you used to have a big, round one and you recently cut off your satellite TV service or switched to a smaller and slimmer dish, then you are probably wondering what you can do with the big round dish you do not need anymore. Instead of just discarding old satellite dishes or having them collect rust in the yard, there are smarter ways to repurpose parabolic discs. Below are several innovative ways to utilize and revamp the old satellite dish you no longer use.
Make It into a Backyard Pond
Turn your SATTV INTERNET upside down to create this new and interesting way of using a pond in your backyard. Just cover the inner wall with plastic, pour water into it and put some plants and fish in the tub and you will get a gorgeous water feature to look at. Some ideas of its placement may be to place it on a stand, dug half into the ground or leaning it against a wall as a free-standing sculpture. One should also ensure that any hardware used is waterproof and the wiring and mount should also be well hidden. Then you can sit beside the repurposed satellite dish pond you have made and feel the serenity that it adds to the facilities.
You can use it as a fire pit heat deflector The assembly of the fire pit heat deflector involves the following steps:
If you have a fire pit around your patio or in your backyard, place your old satellite dish at the back of the fire to reflect the heat and spread it in a larger area. Tilt it so that the heat is being distributed to where you desire; this will make the space comfortable for you and your guests to relax during the cool evenings. The gentle curve of the dish assists in consolidating airstreams so that you remain warm while toasting marshmallows or having a deep conversation.
Turn It Into Art
The shape of this dish is quite striking, and its reflective material makes it a piece of found art in and of itself. Or decorate the satellite dish by painting it in a particular design or a pattern to make it blend with other artwork in the yard. One idea is to paint it and turn it into a mosaic picture whose components include broken bits of tiles, glasses, beads, pebbles or seashells placed in a certain design. Prop the dish against a wall or tree, set it up on a post or put it into a flower bed to give the garden a colorful textured accent.
Make a Birdbath
Your repurposed satellite dish birdbath will be a favorite spot for birds to bathe and drink. Turn over the dish and create a small platform or a base of stones for the dish to be placed at a level that birds can easily reach. Line the bottom with sand or small rocks and fill it with an inch or two of water for splashing and flapping of water birds. Change the water often so that the habitat is fresh and clear of too many dead leaves and other materials that may decompose in the water. The narrow flat area and side angles are similar to bird baths in nature, making your satellite dish appealing to birds.
Use as a Planter
The original satellite dishes are bowl shaped and would perfectly fit the description of planters that could be added to your yard or garden. Place an actual pot with soil and the plant of your choice inside the dish to act as a tray to collect any excess water and avoid marking the planter. For direct planting, close the drainage holes at the bottom and fill half of the container with a mixture of lightweight potting mix, peat moss and composted manure with sand or perlite. Plant a set of flowers, herbs or small vegetables that will not grow too big for the pot. Plant in full sun or near a patio for a burst of color, up close where you will pamper this recycled garden.
Make a Solar Cooker
Recycle the old satellite dish into a solar cooker to cook foods such as; bake foods, grill the meats, steam the vegetables. Paint the inside of the tank black or cover it with black construction paper. Locate food coated with foil at the central area of that dish. Position it in a way where it catches direct sunlight and harness the reflective properties for increased heat concentration. The focal point cooks the food to 200 to 400 degree F without the use of electricity or charcoal making it fast. It takes advantage of the sunny season making it an environmentally friendly way to cook. Be keen while cooking and use potholders when handling the foods.
Construct a Decorative Fountain
Landscape designers take discarded satellite dishes and turn them into water features mostly. Turn the dish over, close any gaps and holes as well as the wirework, and treat inside with a sealant for birdbaths and water fountains. Make a reservoir in the base to pump water to the dish. Incorporate light components for enhancing the visibility during the night. This can be done by incorporating the rocks or using large garden stones to fill the base. The sound produced by a satellite dish tabletop fountain is like pleasant trickling and therefore, it is suitable for indoor or outdoor placement.
Upcycle as Modern Art Furniture
Bring an ultra-modern industrial feel to your home decoration by creating a satellite dish table or an unusual chair. Turn the dish upside down and stick a round glass top on it using silicone, making holes on it to allow water to drain. Cover the base with waterproof material and put the plumbing pipes sprayed black as legs of the structure. For seating, fix the dish in a horizontal manner on a metal frame of the required dimensions. The frame can be upholstered in durable materials such as canvas, Sunbrella or foam and then painted with an acrylic seal. To add more character to these playful satellite dish furniture ideas, simply paint the dishes in bright colors that suit the owner’s personality.
In conclusion, you can clearly see that there are many different ways in which satellite dishes can be reused and it does not have to be expensive. Despite their emptiness, these dishes can be useful for something new and, at the same time, make your rooms look more attractive. Consider these possibilities for reuse before sending old satellite equipment to the landfill. Your trash could turn into one of the best backyard attractions once you are creative enough to reinvent it properly.
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