Why buy new or toss perfectly useful items when a little creativity can give them new life? We love repurposing, and reader Kenn sent a great photo that inspired this roundup of simple, practical ways to reuse everyday items.
These painted tin cans make adorable pencil holders. A single coat of paint unifies a mismatched collection from your recycling bin—use them as vases, utensil holders for a casual meal, or desktop organizers.
Plastic bottles are another fast and easy repurpose. A simple cut and a bit of decoration turns a spare bottle into a sweet bud vase:
Turn ten of them, plus a tennis or nerf ball, into a DIY bowling set for kids—quick, cheap, and reusable for outdoor play.
Egg cartons are endlessly useful. They’re perfect for sorting jewelry in a drawer or organizing small items in a junk drawer, much like a ceramic egg crate jewelry box:
An egg carton can corral rubber bands, paperclips, push pins, or tiny hardware like nuts, bolts, and screws. With a dozen little compartments, it’s a ready-made organizer for so many small things—bobby pins, hair ties, beads, and more.
Empty wine and sparkling water bottles also become attractive decorative accents after removing labels. They look lovely grouped on a shelf, used as single-stem vases, or filled with string lights:
Refilling attractive containers is another smart habit. We keep a pretty bottle of olive oil on the counter and refill it when it runs low—keeping the beautiful bottle in use instead of tossing it:
Likewise, refillable soap and lotion pumps are worth the investment. A nice set may cost a bit up front, but once you can refill them with your preferred products, they stay useful and attractive on the sink:
More easy repurposing ideas:
- Cereal boxes covered with brown paper can be reused as lightweight shipping boxes for books and small items.
- Old plates and platters work as saucers under potted plants to catch drainage and protect surfaces.
- Used coffee grounds and tea bags make excellent plant fertilizers and soil amendments; they add organic matter and nutrients to garden beds.
- A plastic milk jug becomes a simple watering can after punching a few holes in the cap.
- Old magazines can be dropped off at local salons or community centers where they’ll be shared with others.
Small changes add up. Reusing and repurposing items around the house saves money, reduces waste, and often creates charming, functional pieces you wouldn’t find in stores. Tell us what you reuse—what items do you repurpose at home? We’d love to hear your ideas and tips for making less and wasting less.