8 Creative Upcycling Ideas for Old Things
Mar 16, 2021 02:02 AM
If you're the kind of person who hates throwing anything away, today’s ideas are right there for you. You probably have a lot of old stuff just lying around your house. It’s not doing anything but taking up space, but you’re either too busy, sentimental or just have more important things to deal with. Well if you’re looking for a little inspiration or a new handmade project, here are some creative ways to repurpose, reuse and upcycle old things. There’s a pretty broad range in this list but hopefully a handful jump out and spark an idea for you and your home! Read ahead to get inspired by these simple ideas for ordinary household objects now.
Shutter
When you're planning a remodel, why hide color swatches and inspiration materials in a file folder? Put them on display on a propped-up wood shutter, and you can review and add to your collection easily. If you don't have a shutter ready for reuse, pick one up at a home center or local shop. Simple binder clips keep items securely in place but allow them to be moved as your ideas take shape.
Mason Jars
If you want a chandelier for your dining room but don’t want to pay a lot of money for that, make one at home instead, using a 1-inch-thick wood panel, jute rope, two types of chain, and mason jars from a closeout store. It costs nothing, and the process is creative and relaxing.
Ice Cube Tray and Bakeware
Turn a cluttered kitchen catchall into neatly organized storage by repurposing items you already have on hand. I used an ice cube tray, a few baking pans, and some clothespins, but anything from tin cans to take-out containers can do the trick. Empty the drawer and toss anything that’s truly junk. Set aside the stuff you want to stash, then arrange your containers Tetris-style so they fit snugly in the drawer. Give them a couple of coats of spray paint to unify the disparate materials. Once they’re dry, place the containers back in the drawer, and you’re ready to divide and conquer.
Plastic Bottles
Starting seeds indoors? Mini greenhouses, made by slicing the bottoms off plastic bottles, can encourage them to germinate. The see-through incubators help keep soil evenly moist while blocking drafts and allowing you to keep an eye on the sprouts’ progress. Once they’re on their feet, you can transition them to the real world by putting the pots on a porch or stoop and removing the cloches—during the day only, if you can’t resist coddling your seedlings a little bit longer. Too hot and steamy? Twist off the bottle cap to let in fresh air.
Radiator Screening
Create a light show and prevent unintentional snuffing by wrapping candle pillars with scraps of radiator screening. In case you like the idea, but don't’ have the sheets at home, they come in a wide variety of patterns and finishes, starting at about $11 per sheet at the home center. We cut pieces to size using tin snips, then used needle-nose pliers to bend a few loops of wire to close up seams.
Shipping Pallet
No need to spend a fortune to bring some order to your garden tools—a salvaged wood shipping pallet does the trick. Ask around at local retailers for pieces that are in good shape and free for the taking, or keep your eyes peeled for curbside finds. Once you get your pallet home, sand the wood before cleaning it with equal parts bleach and water. Then prime and paint in a high-impact hue—we like this summery citrus color—and affix it to the wall using a heavy-duty French cleat. Use S-hooks to hang tools, gear, and even potted plants for easy access and a handsome effect. The result: an organized display that really racks up the charm.
Balusters
With their elaborate turnings and striking height, vintage wood balusters—long parted from the staircases they adorned—make for stately candleholders set up on a hearth. Just as elegant is how little the project can cost. The shapely holders, evocative of classic candlesticks cast in bronze and iron, are also simple to make. With just a couple of quick cuts, a drilled-out hole, and a coat of polyurethane, the balusters are ready to mount on a base of stacked 4x4 and 6x6 post caps, stained to match.
Old Rake
Got a rusty old steel rake that's seen better days? Don't just toss it. When mounted tines-out on a shed wall or a door, the rake's head becomes a vintage-look rack for your gardening tools that's as charming as it is convenient.
Great Ideas👍👍
Great Ideas👍👍
Thank you, Debbie! 😘