14 Things You Could Do With a Payphone
Payphones may feel like relics, but they can still surprise you with how useful they are.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Payphones might seem like forgotten pieces of the past, but they are far from useless. These sturdy booths and phones have found clever second lives as everything from art installations to tiny libraries. Some ideas are practical, some are hilarious, and others turn these old phones into real community gems. Get ready to see payphones in a whole new light.
1. Create a Mini Library
Dietmar Rabich on Wikimedia Commons
Old payphone booths are the perfect size for a small community book exchange. Stock it with a few paperbacks and a “take one, leave one” sign, and you have a charming mini library anyone can enjoy.
2. Turn It Into a Tiny Art Gallery
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Paint the inside, add a shelf, and suddenly your payphone booth becomes the world’s smallest art exhibit. Artists could feature postcards, small paintings, or even sculptures that fit the space.
3. Build a Charging Station
Steve Johnson on Pexels
Imagine a retro payphone that charges your smartphone. Swap the handset for a charging port, and you have a fun and functional way to juice up your device on the go.
4. Host a Community Message Board
Michel Serpa on Pexels
Replace the phone with a corkboard and let neighbors post notes, ads, or missing pet flyers. It keeps the community connected while giving the payphone booth a brand-new purpose.
5. Start a Secret Story Hotline
Necip Duman on Pexels
Record a rotating collection of short stories and let people dial in for a mystery tale. It turns a simple walk past a payphone into a magical experience.
6. Make It a Plant Holder
Алексей Виноградов on Pexels
Old payphones can hold trailing plants and flowers beautifully. A little greenery climbing through the handset or booth creates a quirky urban garden.
7. Create a Tiny Podcast Booth
Anna Pou on Pexels
Soundproofed payphones could make unique recording booths for podcasting or voiceovers. It adds a fun, retro feel to modern storytelling projects.
8. Stage a Photo Booth
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Set up a polaroid camera or props, and suddenly a payphone becomes a quirky photo booth. It’s perfect for events, parties, or street fairs looking for something different.
9. Create a Weather Station
Eddson Lens on Pexels
Install a thermometer, barometer, or even a rain gauge. Turning a payphone into a mini weather station gives it practical use once again.
10. Make a Retro Art Piece
KoolShooters on Pexels
Keep the payphone as is and let time and rust do their magic. The natural wear turns it into a powerful piece of retro street art.
11. Design a Phone Booth Cafe
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
Fit a small counter inside and sell coffee-to-go through the old window. It creates a fun, nostalgic experience for city passersby.
12. Host a Time Capsule Project
Na Hy on Pexels
Seal a time capsule inside the booth filled with notes and trinkets from today. Future generations could stumble on a surprise slice of history.
13. Make a Prank Call Station
Hatice Baran on Pexels
Leave a fake handset and silly pre-recorded messages for laughs. It brings some playful mischief to otherwise forgotten spots.
14. Turn It Into a Tourist Attraction
Tony Hisgett on Wikimedia Commons
Give it a colorful makeover and install a plaque about its history. Suddenly, it becomes a perfect selfie spot for anyone wandering by.