Found yourself with lots of stuff to throw away? Reduce waste and get creative by turning your old household items into something fresh. With a bit of time and energy, you can give unloved objects a new life, saving your pennies and the planet in one go.
Glass Jars
What started its life as a jar of pasta sauce, with a touch of creativity, can become something beautiful. Soak your jars in hot, soapy water to peel off the labels, and find yourself with chic candle holders, air-tight containers for the pantry, or miniature terrariums. Save up a few, and you've got all the candle holders you need for table settings at your next party or wedding, not to mention the scope for little flower arrangements.
Old T-Shirts
Many of us accumulate far too many T-shirts. Perhaps they hold sentimental value or were a souvenir from a trip. For those t-shirts you aren't attached to, consider chopping them up for polishing and dusting rags. Those you don't wear but can't let go of can be transformed into tote bags, quilts, or blankets, reusing the materials as well as keeping memories alive.
Wine Bottles
Wine bottles can make a very aesthetically pleasing column candle holder. Much like the glass jars, give them a soak to gently peel away the label or leave them on for a more authentic look. Splitting a floral bouquet into small sections to dole out between bottles is a great way to add blooms into each room of the home whilst flexing your flower arranging creativity.
Plastic Bottles
The humble plastic water bottle can be transformed into a plethora of practical items, avoiding the destructive landfill. Get creative with paints and string to create a colorful mobile, or jab some holes in the bottle and fill it with seeds for a DIY bird feeder.
CDs and DVDs
In the age of streaming platforms, many CDs and DVDs gather dust or end up in the bin. Create a light-catching mobile with sticks and string, or safely cut them up to glue to DIY projects such as mosaic mirrors or homemade disco balls.
Egg Cartons
Cardboard egg cartons are perfect to plant your seedling starters. A little soil, some affordable seeds, and a sunny windowsill are all you need to grow a garden from scratch. Got any instrumentalists in your household? Egg cartons are the perfect base for some DIY, temporary sound-proofing.
Wood Pallets
If you have had some deliveries that left wood pallets behind, consider creating some shabby-chic interior furniture like tables or shelves. Pallets are also very popular to create easy, cheap, and sustainable garden furniture, using some spare cushions for a comfy outdoor sofa.
Shoe Boxes
With a bit of creative decoration, perhaps using your fabric offcuts or chopped up old CDs, shoe boxes can become fantastic gift boxes or hampers to fill for your loved ones on birthdays or celebrations. Equally, using them for convenient storage of your craft tools is a great tip to put shoe boxes to good use.
Fabric Scraps
Other DIY projects often leave scraps of spare fabric that can end up in landfills. Save the scraps to create small projects like scrunchies, bookmarks, or bunting. You might even tie a piece around one of your salvaged wine bottles or glass jars to turn them into rustic candle holders or flower vases.
Cereal Boxes
Cereal boxes provide great materials for crafting for children, avoiding having to buy additional materials. Using them as a canvas for painting or creating structures and models is a sure way to keep children engaged while using up cardboard that would otherwise be dumped.
Bottle Caps
Bottle caps are a very versatile item for upcycling. Make sure to save them up after each drink to use them for jewelry, magnets, windchimes, or brooches. You could even glue them together to create coasters or to decorate trays and tables. Get creative with paints, or cover them in spare fabrics to add a personal touch.
Empty Cans
With some safe cutting, old cans can quickly become planters, pencil holders, or lanterns. With a bit of research, they can also be turned into unique candles by mixing and pouring your own wax concoction, items that can also make great gifts.
Old Tires
Ever seen old movies with a tire swing in the garden? Why not make it a reality with any old tires you were thinking of getting rid of? Rig it up to a sturdy tree in the garden and find yourself with a DIY park. With a magic touch and some surplus materials, they can quickly become planters, too, or even outdoor ottoman stools.
Broken Jewelery
Broken earrings, necklaces, and bracelets often end up languishing in a drawer until they make it to the bin. Instead, consider saving any gems or pieces that break from jewelry that can be used to adorn and decorate your other projects.
Food Waste
If you're green-fingered, you will know how handy compost is for the garden. Instead of buying compost, keep a jar in the kitchen to collect your food waste and coffee grounds. With the right coaxing, you will soon have compost to help your green space thrive.
Old Suitcases
Old suitcases can be repurposed into interior pieces with a fantastic vintage, shabby-chic look. Try upcycling with cushions or blankets to create a cozy bed for your pet. With an old, chest-like suitcase, you could even create a unique coffee table as the centerpiece of a room.
Newspapers and Magazines
Newspapers and magazines are very versatile materials for upcycling. Use newspaper that would otherwise go in the bin to wrap presents for your loved ones. You can also use aesthetic pages from magazines as a cheap alternative to buying expensive art prints. Find a second-hand frame, and you will have a unique art piece for the home.
Odd Socks
Odd socks can be great for dusting and polishing your furniture, as they are the perfect soft material and easy to wash. With some stuffing and a simple bit of sewing, they can also create great toys for pets or, with the right precautions, even comforters for babies.
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