55 New Ways to Upcycle Your Old Stuff

The best things in life are (nearly) free. Go green this year and instead of tossing or donating your old stuff, try one of our project ideas to upcycle it into something new.

By: H. Camille Smith

Related To:

Pocket Change = Slug Repellant

One of the most common garden pests, slugs are bad news — especially for vegetable gardeners, but they're also fond of munching on ripe fruit and all types of seedlings. So, whether you're hoping for a landscape filled with flowers or edibles, slugs are a threat. Deter them with our DIY penny ball that uses the magic of copper to ward off these insatiable eaters.

Get the How-To: Make a Slug-Repelling Penny Ball for Your Garden

Kid Doodles = Gallery Wall

After all, your kids are your favorite artists, right? Put their best work on permanent display by framing, then hanging their drawings as a grouping. Shop your local craft or big-box store to purchase basic frames with white mats so the cost stays low — and their handiwork remains the star.

Learn More: House Tour: Fun and Fearless Decorating

From: HGTV Magazine

Pretty Paper = Table Runner

For a colorful table runner that's just as easy on your budget as it is on the eyes, sub gift wrap or even multiple squares of patterned card stock for a standard fabric runner. Bonus: Spills aren't a worry; when the party's over, just toss the stained paper — or, if it's still in good shape, save it to use again later.

See More Photos: Luxe for Less: Set a Timeless Table That Only Looks Expensive

From: H. Camille Smith

Terra-Cotta Pots = Cake Stands

Turn inexpensive terra-cotta pots and saucers into gorgeous cake stands with our easy tutorial, below. With personalized stamped sayings and a trendy distressed look, your friends and family can have their cake and Instagram it too.

Get the How-To: Serve Dessert in Style With DIY Terra-Cotta Cake Stands

Coffee Filters = Scratch-Free Storage

Protect your favorite dishes, mixing bowls or serveware from scratches and scuffs between uses by placing a coffee filter between each when stacking. This trick is especially handy for protecting hand-me-down pieces that you want to keep in pristine shape so you can someday pass them down yourself. Get more tips for chef-worthy kitchen storage, below.

See More Photos: Create a Chef-Worthy Kitchen With Our Storage Secrets

Tablecloth = Indoor Playhouse

Get crafty to turn a basic white tablecloth into an indoor playhouse your little one will love. Our easy-to-follow instructions and video, below, show you how to cut out windows and a door, then deck out the house with colorful linens to customize the look.

Get the How-To: How to Make a No-Sew Tablecloth Playhouse

Leftover Paint Samples = Daring Dresser

We all have them: multiple small bits of paint left over from a variety of projects. Clean out your stash by following these tips from HGTV Magazine: Starting in the top right corner, tape off a triangle, apply two coats of paint, then pull off the tape while the paint is still wet to ensure clean edges. Patience is key: wait till each section is completely dry before taping off the next one, then going triangle by triangle, complete your design. Get more tips for coloring your world with paint, below.

See More Photos: 50+ Paint Shades We Love and How You Can Use Them

From: HGTV Magazine

Salvaged Door = Pantry Perfection

Designer Jasmine Roth gives this kitchen major style points by repurposing a timeworn exterior door as an interior door for a pantry. Get inspired by more of our stars' ideas for making old stuff new, below.

See More Photos: 50 Brilliant Upcycling Projects From HGTV Stars

Saucer + Pebbles = Bee Bath

That's right, bees like baths too — or, more accurately, they appreciate buzzing by for a sip. Pollinating (aka saving the world) is hard work for busy bees; provide them with a spot to rest and drink clean water with a shallow plate, attached to a peony stake, and topped with pebbles or beach glass so they can safely sip without wetting their wings. Get more tips for turning your backyard into a pollinator hot spot, below.

See More Photos: Attract a Host of Pollinators With a Backyard Pollinator Garden Perfect for Containers

From: H. Camille Smith

Pot Lid Rack = Closet Organizer

Pot lid racks are notorious for turning into a hassle in the kitchen, but don't give up on yours just yet — put it to work in the closet organizing small purses, wallets and clutches, instead. Get more organizing ideas, below.

See More Photos: Everyday Organization With Kitchen Items

Ice Cube Tray = Toddle Snack Server

Encourage your little one to eat the rainbow by placing their nibbles in an ice cube tray. Perfect for picky eaters who prefer to keep flavors separate, this is also a great way to sneak in new healthy options.

See More Photos: 11 Kid-Friendly Snack Hacks That Make Healthy Eating Fun

Basket = Space-Saving Storage

Storage is always an issue in small bathrooms, plus there's the question of what to do with the wasted space above the toilet. This quick and easy storage solution puts a wire or wicker basket to work to solve both problems in no time flat.

Get the How-To: Easily Boost Bathroom Storage With Wall-Mounted Baskets

From: Marian Parsons

Tea Tins + Magnets = Kitchen Garden

Having fresh herbs at hand will take your culinary skills to the next level — and add a beautiful pop of live greenery to your kitchen. Save counter space while putting your prettiest tea tins on permanent display with this easy upcycle that ensures fresh herbs are always within reach.

Get the How-To: Make a Magnetic Herb Garden for the Fridge

Cardboard Box = Custom Drawer Organizer

Say buh-bye to junk drawers. With a little creativity and our tutorial, below, turn leftover shipping boxes and vinyl shelf liner into a custom organizer to tame desk drawer clutter once and for all.

Get the How-To: Upcycle Cardboard Into a Custom Desk Drawer Organizer

Luggage Rack + Tray = a Handy Table

Spa-time is a snap with this space-saving, folding table that keeps relaxation essentials, like bath salts, scrubs or oils, or a glass of wine and a book handy while you enjoy a nice, long soak. Best of all: This stylish table is upcycled from items you probably already have on hand.

Get the How-To: Cheap Meets Chic: Craft a Tub-Side Table for Your Bathroom

From: H. Camille Smith

Scrap Wood + Stencil = Trendy Tray

Beautiful and timelessly on-trend, cement tile adds a big punch of color and pattern to any room — but it's pricey ... and heavy. Get the same luxe look without the hefty price tag (and, well, heft!) by stenciling a board and tacking on wood trim to create a gorgeous tray.

Get the How-To: Stencil Your Way to a Stunning Cement Tile Tray

From: H. Camille Smith

Old Tin = Charming Centerpiece

Think beyond a standard vase and instead create a centerpiece in a pretty vintage tin for an added pop of color and pattern. Protect the tin and eliminate any possibility of leaks by first placing the arrangement in a plastic or glass container that's just a bit smaller than your tin, then slide the bloom-filled container inside the tin to brighten up your table.

See More Photos: Our Favorite Easter Table Settings + Centerpieces

From: H. Camille Smith

Canning Jar = Citronella Candle

Easily whip up a few of these canning jar luminaries to keep mosquitoes from crashing your party. Place a few slices of lemons and limes along with sprigs of rosemary into a jar of water, then add several drops of essential oil. We recommend citronella, lemon or lavender. Top with a floating candle and enjoy a bug-free fête.

See More Photos: Party Like a Pro: Our 55 Fave Entertaining Ideas

Tree Stump = Trendy Planter

Sculptural and organic, this repurposed planter makes the most of having to remove an old tree by turning the trunk into a gorgeous, oversized planter with midcentury-inspired hairpin legs. Learn how to upcycle the old trunk in your yard, below.

See More Photos: How to Make a Planter Out of a Recycled Tree Stump

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Vintage Suitcases = Storage-Rich Nightstand

Vintage suitcases are not only more attractive than their modern-day counterparts, they also offer up lots of hidden storage for items you rarely need to access, like holiday ornaments or out-of-season clothing. Shop estate sales and flea markets to find several on a budget, then stack them up beside your bed for vintage-style storage.

See More Photos: 30 Tips for Turning Your Guest Bedroom Into a Retreat

From: H. Camille Smith

Dollar Store Frames = Luxe-Look Lantern

Perfect for glamming up a DIY wedding, shower or any special occasion, these expensive-looking lanterns have humble beginnings as dollar-store photo frames. Learn how to assemble them, below, plus get more tips for decorating your big day for less.

See More Photos: 38 DIY Dollar Store Wedding Decor Hacks

Pretty Calendar = Instant Art

Calendars, especially vintage versions, are often full of beautiful images. A collection of budget-friendly frames and stock white mats make it easy to turn an old calendar into a colorful gallery wall. Our friends at HGTV Magazine share four more ways to dress up your home with items you already have on hand, below.

See More Photos: 5 Ways to Style Your Home With Items You Already Have

From: HGTV Magazine

Wood Crates = Lemonade Stand

Seriously, how cute is this?! Teach your kiddo a bit about making a buck by turning wood crates, a pine board and dowels into an outdoor kiddie bar that you can quickly construct, then break down again in a flash.

Get the How-To: How to Build a Perfectly Portable Lemonade Stand

Pretty Scarf = Café Curtains

Truly a handy-dandy invention, tension rods allow you to easily hang curtains without damaging woodwork. For these, stylist Liz Demos cut a pretty scarf to size, then used tension rods and clip-on rings to add a big splash of color and pattern without splashing the cash.

See More Photos: 5 Ways to Style Your Home With Items You Already Have

From: HGTV Magazine

Stepstool = Plant Stand

Has your kiddo outgrown their two-step bathroom stool? Good! Repurpose it as a tiered plant stand and fill up one corner of a sunny bathroom with a variety of plants that'll thrive in the higher humidity while clearing the air of odors and common indoor pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde.

See More Photos: Plants to Grow in Your Bathroom

From: H. Camille Smith

Driftwood = Stylish Storage

Perfectly weathered courtesy of sun, sand and sea, an interesting piece of driftwood is one of those vacay souvenirs that so many of us bring home, then wonder how to use it. Well, here's your answer: follow our tips, below, to upcycle it into stylish storage.

Get the How-To: Build a Jewelry Organizer From Driftwood

Broken Lamps + Shallow Saucer = Bird Bath

Our tutorial, below, shows you how to turn a couple of old lamps and a trash can lid (or large, glazed saucer) into a chic spa for our feathered friends. Place your new bath near a tree, shrub, fence or other area where birds can easily find shelter. A shady spot will keep the water cool and prevent evaporation along with algae buildup.

See More Photos: Make a Recycled Birdbath

Scrap Wood = Garden Gear Organizer

Don't waste time searching for your missing glove; instead use that time teaching weeds (ugh, weeds!) who's boss. A scrap piece of wood, clothespins and a bit of wire are all you need to ensure your gardening gear must-haves are easy to just grab and go.

Learn More: Weed Wars

Coir Rug + Frame = Kitty Scratch Pad

Save your upholstery and give your beloved furball a textural surface that feels oh-so-good to sink their claws into. Just fill an old frame with a coir door mat, then securely attach to the wall at kitty's perfect level for having a good scratch.

See More Photos: 15 Adorable DIYs for Cats + Cat Lovers

Twin Sheet + Lumber = Pup Tent

Surprise: Just like you, your furkid's skin can burn in the sun — and they're much more likely to overheat on a warm, sunny day. Help them keep their cool and prevent a painful sunburn with this totally portable pup-sized bit of shade. Learn everything you need to craft it yourself, below.

Get the How-To: Perfectly Portable Pup Tent for Easy Summer Shade

License Plates = Room Divider

Get that collection of old license plates out of storage and follow our tutorial, below, to turn the expired tags into a colorful room divider you can use either indoors or out.

Get the How-To: License Plate Room Divider

Baking Pan = Magnetic Board

If your cookie sheet is looking a little unappealing, give it new purpose as a magnetic memo board for your kitchen, home office or kid's room. Just add a coat of gold spray paint and line the inside with pretty fabric using spray adhesive. Attach a hanger to the back using gel superglue and let dry thoroughly. Check out 19 more ideas for repurposing past-its-prime kitchen gear, below.

See More Photos: 20 Easy Upcycles for Old Kitchen Gear

From: Heather Baird

Liquor Bottle = Citronella Torch

Don't toss that bottle! These beautiful citronella torches take less than 10 minutes to assemble and do a great job of keeping those pesky bugs at bay.

Get the How-To: Turn Old Glass Bottles Into Citronella Torches

From: Chelsea Faulkner

Coffee Table = Upholstered Storage Ottoman

For much less than buying a new ottoman, you can turn an old coffee table into a cushy, oversized ottoman with — bonus — lots of handy, hidden storage for throws, books, board games and kids' or pets' toys.

Get the How-To: Turn an Old Coffee Table Into an Upholstered Storage Ottoman

Construction Paper = Easy Art

Mountains ho! Turn inexpensive sheets of colorful paper and chalk pastels into an artistic take on your favorite outdoor scene. Raid your craft stash and make your own with our tutorial, below.

Get the How-To: DIY Art: Create a Torn Paper Landscape

From: H. Camille Smith

Cinderblocks = Blooming Bench

Cinderblocks: the handy (but heavy!) concrete blocks many of us have just taking up space in our garage or garden shed. Reclaim your space and put them to work to create a sturdy bench, that — surprise — doubles as a planter.

Get the How-To: Talk About a Block Party: DIY Cinderblock Bench

Recyclables = Tin Can Lanterns

Tin can lanterns are one of those summertime crafts that we all remember making as kids — but do you remember them looking this stylish? For an almost-free outdoor update, pull large metal cans out of the recyclables and give them a chic upgrade following our tips, below.

Get the How-To: How to Make Tin Can Lanterns

Planters = Address Plaque

Boost your curb appeal while making it easier for delivery folks to spot your house by adding your house numbers to a grouping of planters. Get all our tips, below.

Get the How-To: Make Your Own Modern House Number Planters

Quilt = Useful Art

Take a cue from designer Sarah Richardson and put a pretty vintage quilt on permanent display by hanging it from a bathroom towel rack. It's still within easy reach for cozying up on chilly nights while adding an artful touch of color and pattern to the walls. See more of Sarah's waterfront home, below.

See More Photos: Tour Sarah's Summer House

1 Bench = 2 Side Tables

Give that spare bench in your garage new life as a pair of living room side tables. Follow our tutorial, below, to cut it in half, then securely attach each half to the wall using a designer's favorite trick: a French cleat.

Get the How-To: Build Custom End Tables

Apothecary Jar = Punch Bowl

Hugely popular a few years ago, apothecary jars were everywhere. If you succumbed to the trend and now have one of the oversize lidded jars gathering dust in your garage or basement, take our cue and put it to work as a punch bowl for your next gathering. And, while you're at it, try this recipe, below, that gives lemonade a deliciously boozy berry twist.

Get the Recipe: Big-Batch Cocktail: Boozy Berry Patch Lemonade

From: H. Camille Smith

Fencepost Caps = Bitty Box

In just a few steps, you can turn fencepost caps into a pretty jewelry or gift box — no woodworking skills necessary. By itself, the box makes a thoughtful birthday, Mother's Day or holiday gift. Fill it with sweet treats or a small trinket for a handmade gift they won't soon forget.

Get the How-To: Easy-to-Craft Handmade Jewelry Box

From: H. Camille Smith

Shutters = Headboard

Give your bedroom a cozy, cottage vibe by turning interior or exterior louvered stutters into an oversized headboard. Keep the shutters existing finish or paint, then sand them to replicate a weathered look in colors that match your decor.

Get the How-To: Coastal Cottage-Style Shutter Headboard

Porch Post = Coat Rack

In just a few steps, you can turn a sturdy (no dry rot or termites) salvaged wooden porch post into a functional coat rack for a mudroom or kid's room. Get crafting with our instructions, below.

Get the How-To: Make an Easy Kids' Coat Rack

Clean Sauce Jars = Outdoor Lanterns

Fill clean, glass soup or sauce jars with small votives and pebbles or sea glass for an easy-to-make outdoor lantern that'll add sparkle to the garden by day and illuminate a pathway by night. Get our tips for crafting them, below.

Get the How-To: Create Glass Lanterns for the Backyard

Pill Bottle = Key Hider

Upcycle an empty pill bottle into a clever key hider and never lock yourself out of the house again. Remove the label and glue a rock to the top of the lid using heavy-duty super glue. Once dry, drop a key into the bottle, replace the lid and bury until only the rock is visible.

Yardstick = Kids' Display Space

Put your little one's homework and artistic accomplishments on display with a yardstick and a few large clothespins. Our tutorial, below, shows you how easy it is to craft these clip-art rails.

Get the How-To: Easy Clip-Art Rails

Fitted Sheet = Windproof Tablecloth

Make outdoor party set-up and clean-up a snap by subbing an inexpensive fitted sheet for a tablecloth. When the party's over you can just throw it in the wash. Best of all: the sheet's fitted corners keep it from shifting or flapping around in the breeze.

See More Photos: 11 Party Hacks Every Parent Should Know

Coffee Can = Twine Dispenser

Stop fighting with tangled twine and rope. Just cut a slit in the plastic top of a coffee can and place the coiled rope or twine inside. Pull one end through the top for an easy dispenser. Get more tips for repurposing everyday items, below.

See More Photos: 26 Clever Uses for Everyday Items in the Garage

Muffin Tin = Serving Simplified

Whether used for serving ice cream cups to kids or adult beverages to the grown-ups, a muffin tin is a handy, spillproof solution for serving up to 12 folks at a time. Get more outdoor party ideas, below.

See More Photos: 11 Party Hacks Every Parent Should Know

Rubber Band = Painter's Best Friend

Stop paint drips in their tracks with this handy drip catcher that ensures the proper amount of paint on your brush. Just wrap a rubber band across the top of a paint can, dip your brush into the paint, then slowly pull the brush across the rubber band to remove the excess. Get more ideas for putting rubber bands to work, below.

See More Photos: 17 Rubber Band Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind

Trash Cans + Casters = Mobile Planters

Create a mobile container garden that's a perfect fit for an industrial-style vibe by adding drainage holes and casters to metal trash cans. Fill with an assortment of plants and roll them to any outdoor space that could use a bit of greening up.

Get the How-To: Create a Mobile Container Garden

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Cookbooks = Knife Block

Designer Erin Napier gives this kitchen, featured on HGTV's Home Town, a touch of DIY decor by repurposing the homeowner's cookbooks into a handy knife block with just a bit of twine. See more of our stars' best upcycling ideas, below.

See More Photos: 50 Brilliant Upcycling Projects From HGTV Stars

Desk Organizers = Produce Containers

Got some old magazine or file holders lying around? Put them to work in your pantry storing veggies that don't require refrigeration, like potatoes and onions. Bonus: their mesh, breathable construction will prevent rot and keep root veggies fresh longer. Get more tips for a picture-perfect pantry, below.

See More Photos: 60 Organizers for a Picture-Perfect Pantry

Clipboards = Easy-to-Swap Display Space

Instead of displaying photos, A+ homework assignments or your little one's latest masterpiece in frames, use clipboards to show off their accomplishments. Clipboards keep things looking spiffy and it's a breeze to swap out papers. Image courtesy of Ashley Corbett Campbell.

Shop This Look

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Dane Tashima

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Heather Baird

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Jelena Pticek

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Derek Trimble

Photo By: Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

Photo By: Sam Henderson

Photo By: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Sarah Busby

Photo By: Helen Norman (produced by Elizabeth Demos)

Photo By: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith and Jill Tennant

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Heather Baird

Photo By: Mike Faulkner

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Rae Sturm

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Photo By: Jason Kisner; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Melissa George

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

Photo By: Derek R. Trimble

55 New Ways to Upcycle Your Old Stuff

Related To:

Pocket Change = Slug Repellant

Kid Doodles = Gallery Wall

Pretty Paper = Table Runner

Terra-Cotta Pots = Cake Stands

Coffee Filters = Scratch-Free Storage

Tablecloth = Indoor Playhouse

Leftover Paint Samples = Daring Dresser

Salvaged Door = Pantry Perfection

Saucer + Pebbles = Bee Bath

Pot Lid Rack = Closet Organizer

Ice Cube Tray = Toddle Snack Server

Basket = Space-Saving Storage

Tea Tins + Magnets = Kitchen Garden

Cardboard Box = Custom Drawer Organizer

Luggage Rack + Tray = a Handy Table

Scrap Wood + Stencil = Trendy Tray

Old Tin = Charming Centerpiece

Canning Jar = Citronella Candle

Tree Stump = Trendy Planter

Vintage Suitcases = Storage-Rich Nightstand

Dollar Store Frames = Luxe-Look Lantern

Pretty Calendar = Instant Art

Wood Crates = Lemonade Stand

Pretty Scarf = Café Curtains

Stepstool = Plant Stand

Driftwood = Stylish Storage

Broken Lamps + Shallow Saucer = Bird Bath

Scrap Wood = Garden Gear Organizer

Coir Rug + Frame = Kitty Scratch Pad

Twin Sheet + Lumber = Pup Tent

License Plates = Room Divider

Baking Pan = Magnetic Board

Liquor Bottle = Citronella Torch

Coffee Table = Upholstered Storage Ottoman

Construction Paper = Easy Art

Cinderblocks = Blooming Bench

Recyclables = Tin Can Lanterns

Planters = Address Plaque

Quilt = Useful Art

1 Bench = 2 Side Tables

Apothecary Jar = Punch Bowl

Fencepost Caps = Bitty Box

Shutters = Headboard

Porch Post = Coat Rack

Clean Sauce Jars = Outdoor Lanterns

Pill Bottle = Key Hider

Yardstick = Kids' Display Space

Fitted Sheet = Windproof Tablecloth

Coffee Can = Twine Dispenser

Muffin Tin = Serving Simplified

Rubber Band = Painter's Best Friend

Trash Cans + Casters = Mobile Planters

Cookbooks = Knife Block

Desk Organizers = Produce Containers

Clipboards = Easy-to-Swap Display Space

Shop This Look

More from:

Fresh Start

45 Ways to Upcycle Your Kids' Castoffs 45 Photos

Ways to Upcycle Your Old Stuff 4 Videos

Upcycle It: 50+ New Ways to Use Old Stuff

15 Creative Ways to Upcycle Old T-Shirts 15 Photos

Something Old, Something New: 45 Ways to Give Your Wedding Timeless Style 45 Photos

8 Ways to Upcycle Christmas Decorations for Your New Year's Eve Party

Related Pages