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clutter up . If it is claim over your kitchen , life way , or bedroom , you ’re not alone . Getting free of thing can be difficult . Anything you throw out is likely to stop up in an already - overflowing landfill . Fortunately , there is a upright solution . And , it does n’t demand throwing anything away or letting clutter gather all over your family .
You canrecycleand repurpose clutter by turning would - be trash into treasure . Below , we ’ve round up DIY ideas to offer you with the inspiration you need to tame clutter while increasing the functionality , organization , and overall aesthetic of your home .
Photo: Getty Images
1.Upcycleold pillowcases.
“ Repurposing pillowcases reduces wastefulness and gives new life to sure-enough pillowcases , offer an cheap agency to create young family items . This not only adds a individualized touch to plate decor but also helps keep various items organized , improving overall home organization , ” says Eryn Donaldson , the father and CEO ofThe Model Home , a home organization company serve the Washington , D.C. , and Los Angeles regions . There are so many different ways to upcycle an old pillowcase — such as hide a wiener bed , making floor pillow , or create dusters to keep roof fans clean . “ Pillowcases can also be turned into storehouse sacks for toys , shoes , or seasonal dress , helping to keep your home base neat and organized , ” sound out Donaldson .
We gathered12 clever way of life to upcycle old pillow slip .
2. Transform old furniture into something new.
rather of let old or broken article of furniture great deal up in the cellar or service department , pull out your DIY supply and give it a novel aliveness . trace up a few older dining way chairs and give them a newfangled cushion to create a work bench for the entryway . Convert a wooden rock chair into a porch or tree vacillation , and your crowing Kyd ’s honest-to-goodness cribbage can be put to good use as a table with a storehouse ledge .
Here are16 new things you’re able to do with old furniture .
3. Give old tools a new purpose.
If you recently upgraded to anew set of tools , your sometime unity do n’t have to seat in a dark recession of the service department , never to be seen again . alternatively , try sour old wrenches into J - work coat hooks for the mudroom , or put quondam vices to use as ornamental — and functional — bookends . Got larger shaft , such as honest-to-god rakes or shovels ? Use them to DIY an original gate for your backyard or some unequalled terrace chairs .
Check out our ideas forhardware stock decor .
4. Convert an old computer into a home server.
While you might not need your old desktop or laptop computer for browsing the WWW , making presentations , or complete written assignments , you may still be able to benefit from the machine . Convert it to a domicile server to realise admission to more media repositing blank and processing speeds . Otherwise , think bringing the gimmick to one of theretailers that will recycleelectronics the right way to obviate generating more e - waste .
Read our other ideas forwhat to do with old computers .
5. Give old holiday lights a fresh start.
When upgrade to new LED icicle or color - changing Christmas brightness for your house or tree , do n’t discombobulate those old strands of lights in the trash . Instead , Betsy Fein , United States President ofClutterbusters , a professional organizing company in the D.C. Metro Area , recommends “ Repurpos[ing ] old Christmas lights into ambient patio light , bottle lamp , or bulwark nontextual matter . ” If you really do n’t have a use for the lights , consider making less trash during the holidays by donate them to someone else who might be capable to apply them .
Here are8 ideas for upcycling your Christmas lights .
6. Make good use of cardboard boxes.
If you run a little overboard withonline orders , you might be star down a improbable pile of composition board boxes . While these are recyclable , there are several other shipway you’re able to put them to expert use and further decrease waste — and succeeding purchases . A few approximation to taste include DIYing composition board coasters ( you could even personalize them with dyed paper or stickers ) , making magazine or desk organizers , and slue the boxes down to make postcards to send to friends and family .
Find other option in our lean foronline holiday shopper with too many boxes .
7. Use glass jars around the house.
If you regularly purchase mess , spaghetti sauce , baby food , or jam , you might have lots of Methedrine jars adding to the clutter in your kitchen . There ’s no prison term like the nowadays to turn these jarful into something utile — and keep them from pee your space mussy . Glass jar are various . you’re able to use them as vases for floral arrangements , tea light holders , organizers for bathroom requirement like cotton mop , or even as storage for leftovers .
Try these17 creative room to reuse grocery shop glass bottles .
8. Keep things organized with silicone baking cups.
According to Donaldson , silicone polymer baking cups are good for much more than just make cupcakes . “ Silicone baking cup are flexile , lasting , and easy to make clean , making them a majuscule choice for various organisational needs . They add a colorful and playful touch to your repositing solution , promote better system habits by providing designated space for little items , ” she says . A few of the uses Donaldson urge let in separating different foods in a lunch box , storing humble craft supply , and keeping government agency essentials neat and tidy .
Discover14 surprising ways to expend silicone baking cups to make life comfortable and more organized .
9. Breathe new life into old tires.
Adding a new set of tyre to your car is dear . While the old tires might no longer be good for driving on , you’re able to keep them out of the landfill with a small creativity . With a few coats ofcolorful paintand some other materials , your old tyre could be transformed into swings , plantation owner , preferent beds , or even staircase .
Get more inspiration from oursmart new ideas for sometime tires .
10. Repurpose unused Christmas decorations.
Whether you have an copiousness of ornaments and never get to use them all or are choosing a novel beautify theme , do n’t give out old decorations . Instead , follow Fein ’s advice of “ Transform[ing ] ornamentation into wreaths , garlands , or unequaled centerpiece decorations year - rotund . ”
Here are11 ways to repurpose Christmas interior decoration at the holidays and beyond .
11. Let ziplock bags help with storage, organization, and more.
“ reuse ziplock bags can significantly heighten establishment in unlike field of your home , ” says Donaldson . She explicate how the grip can be used for the tenacious - term to aid keep office supplies labeled and easy to find , stack away leftover foodin the kitchen or marinate meats before cooking , or for keep your belonging prepare when packing for a tripper .
Or change state to reusable and washable bags for similar function . “ They keep various items organized and easily approachable , further a clutter - free environment and supporting sustainable bread and butter by reduce individual - use pliant waste , ” says Donaldson .
You might be surprise at these10 United States for Ziploc bags .
Photo: Getty Images
12. Put extra coffee filters to work around the house.
Have you ever clean up a pack of coffee filters at the store , only to get home and pull in that you already have several ? Or , perhaps , you recently switched to a pod - elan machine or even gave up coffee tree tout ensemble . The reason why you have too many chocolate filters cluttering your kitchen draftsman is n’t as significant as what you ’ll be able to do with them . These circular filter can also serve as cookware protectors , sachets for homemade tea leaf bags , grime collectors when cooking , or deodorizing shoe ( with the assist of some baking soda ) .
All these ideas and more are in our list ofuses for coffee filters you have to see to trust .
13. Transform old board games into fabulous home decor.
Keep those old board game that you never play or are missing pieces from fill up up your bookshelves or W.C. . If you have some vintage game with cool game boards or boxes , regard grow them into artwork for your living room or home position . Alternatively , you could gyrate - bind two pieces of the table and some blank paper to make a usance journal , habituate the plot tiles or pawn as unequaled medal , or make some coaster out of your favorite poster .
chance morenew things you’re able to do with old board games here .
14. Use zip ties for way more than just cable management.
Zip tiesmay have been invented for hold open wire and cables together , but they can have other uses . If your workbench draftsman is overflowing with transmission line ties , try one of the many other fashion that you could make them act upon for you . A few ideas include using the tie when childproofing and keeping short fingers out of drawers or cabinets ; supporting tomatoes , roses , and other plants as they grow in the garden ; and observe critter from fall apart into your collapsible shelter when camping .
instruct more from our inclination ofsurprising ways to utilize postcode affiliation .
15. Turn an old window into something new and functional.
If you recentlyreplaced the windowsin your firm , you might have been saving the old ones “ just in type . ” rather of sentencing these sure-enough windows ( or just their frames ) to a life in the back corner of the garage , draw them out and translate them into a coat stand , a burnt umber table , or a agrestic rack for hanging mickle in the kitchen .
See our7 Modern ways to use one-time windowsfor more inspiration .
16. Reuse the wax from old candles.
Those who regularlyburn candlesknow that there is always a little moment of waste . You ca n’t cauterize the last inch or so of a candle , as it can be a safety endangerment . However , this does n’t think that you should just jactitate the wax into the trash . bring through it to silence squeaky doors or hinges , coat the edge of your digger to forbid snow from mystify to it , or lubricate a sticky zipper . you may even save the sure-enough wax from a few candles and melt it down to make new ones .
Find more ideas in our list of20 new uses for old candles .
17. Use broken tiles to DIY a mosaic.
“ I never feel spoiled when a good plate or bowl break because I bed repurposing them into unique mosaic works pots , adding charm to my garden or home , ” suppose Fein . In addition to making mosaicflower kitty , you could apply the while from disordered tile or other ceramics to make singular wall art or to make a mosaic tabular array for dining alfresco .
See our guide onhow to DIY a mosaic with broken roofing tile .
18. Put old styrofoam packing peanuts to use around the home.
Although not as common as they once were , styrofoam packing peanuts still seem in software program to protect products in shipment . unluckily , this packing cloth is in the main not reclaimable . Tokeep styrofoam out of a landfill , use it to make a protective cover for sharp tools , draw a few piece together for a DIY garland for the vacation , or make your own bean suitcase chairs ( or review your existing ones that are sagging a spot too much ) .
Check out these12 things you never thought to do with pack peanuts .
19. Make something new from an empty plastic bottle.
So many plastic bottles finish up in the sea that doing what you’re able to to find a new utilization for the ace in your family is of import . Fortunately , there are lots of creative uses for these vessels . With just a few supply , you may grow them into dispensers for plastic bags , set up a drip mold irrigation system for your indoor plants , create a windsock for your deck or terrace , ormake a DIY herbaceous plant garden .
Discover12 genius fashion to reuse your charge card bottleful .
20. Repurpose old dishes instead of throwing them away.
You might have updated your dinnerware , but you should n’t throw out your former set . However , you also should n’t result it in the recession of a cabinet or closet collecting debris . Instead , deliberate hang publish plate on the wall as a decoration or stacking chump and plates together to create tiered platters for serving sweet or appetizers when harbor .
We fall up with5 things to do with old dishes here .
21. Take advantage of the Wi-Fi connectivity of an old smartphone.
If you ’re wonderingwhat to do with an old smartphone , simply tossing it in the trash is not an pick because it is considered e - waste . You also should n’t shove it to the bottom of a draftsman for timelessness . Even if the sound is n’t capable of do call anymore , you should still be able to relate it to your home ’s Wi - Fi , enable you to use it as a outback control for other smart devices or give it to your small fry for playing games or convey pictures .
Here are5 ways to use your old smartphone at home .
22. Turn old wooden crates into decorative or functional items.
Think of an old wooden crate as a blank sail hold back for your creativity to sparkle . draw out out some paint — or evenchalkboard paint — and turn these crate into floating shelves for the toilet , a coffee tabular array for the living way , or a simple-minded DIY shoe organiser .
Discover8 ways to use old wooden crate .
23. Get creative with old paint.
Are can buoy ofold paintcluttering your basement or garage ? fortune are that some of the colors there are n’t even on your wall any longer , so it might be time to stop saving them for a touch - up that will never be necessary . If these onetime colors are still good , take out them out and start using them for your DIY labor . You could even desegregate colors ( of the same type ) together to make unique blends or to expend as a fusee . If you simply do n’t need the key anymore , seek to donate it .
tick out our guide onwhat to do with old blusher .
24. Build something useful with wooden hangers.
When you have more wooden hangers than you could possibly utilize , look for some substitute way to put them to good exercise while also clearing out some blank space in acluttered closet . A few hanger place in alternating directions , along with a few wooden dowel , can make a minimalist dish drying rack . You could even use the hanger to display graphics or to create a one - of - a - kind chandelier .
We came up with5 things to do with wooden hangers here .
25. Transform junk mail into something that’s far from junk.
Junk mail does n’t have to be , well , junk . However , it also should n’t be leave to pull in dust on the kitchen island or dining way table . Upcycle colorful junk mail into Judy Garland , tear them up to make an abstract wall painting , or craft a DIY basket .
Here are a few morethings to do with junk post .
26. Upcycle old cassette tapes.
Do you have old cassette tapes conduct up space in the back of your closet ? If you have no desire — or no way of life — to play them again , expend them to make some retro - invigorate decor or furniture detail , such as a lampshade , pencil holder , or president .
Here are5 thing to do with old cassette tape measure .
27. Decorate, organize, and more with shoeboxes.
It seems like such a waste to throw out a utterly good shoebox . However , if they ’ve been piling up for a while , they can take up a lot of outer space and increase the overallclutter in your home plate . Try upcycling sure-enough shoebox by move around them into drawer partition , off - season reposition containers , DIY shadow boxes , and more .
Check out these18 new uses for old shoeboxes .
28. Repurpose some—or all—of an old dresser.
An old dresser does n’t have to be destine for the dump . or else , you’re able to exchange it into abathroom dresser , a kitchen island , or even a tiered plant life presentation . If you do n’t have a way to use the whole dresser , at least save the drawer and repurpose them as bulwark shelves or underbed storage drawers .
We gathered10 new the States for erstwhile dressers .
29. Turn an old door into a home decor or organization asset.
Your erstwhile front door may not have been cut it in terms of energy efficiency or home security , but that does n’t mean it should find a permanent home in the service department — or even worse — be banished to a landfill . With a little creativeness and some DIY skills , you could turn anold doorinto a bumpkinly coffee bean board , a mirror for the sleeping room or bread and butter room , or a headboard .
Get inspiration from these10 new uses for onetime doorway .
30. Bring out your inner woodworker with scrap wood.
If you have lots ofscrap woodfrom past home betterment projects , it ’s fourth dimension to pull out your tools and call on it into something newfangled . Depending on the size and quantity of Natalie Wood you have , you could build a garden walkway , craft unique picture frames for category photos , build a solidifying of bookends for your life way , or put together a welcoming birdhouse for backyard visitors .
Do some DIY with21 clever little thing to do with rubbish Ellen Price Wood .
31. Dust off old books and get creative.
Are erstwhile books fill up your bookshelf — or piling up in boxes in the cellar ? If you experience you ’ll never understand them again , but do n’t need to get free of them , upcycle them by rationalize and stray the page to make aDIY wreathor utilize the hardcover to make a picture inning . If you have vintage books or other favorites with unique covers , let them double as interior decoration by turning them into a mask storage box , a unequalled bookshelf , or a succulent planter .
seek these9 sassy uses for dusty old ledger .
32. Save silica gel packs for moisture-control needs.
Manufacturers included silica gel packets to operate moisture when shipping or packaging certain products . These short packets typically have a recording label prompt the consumer to “ throw aside , ” but they can actually be save for various household moisture - control need . Put them in the container with your pet ’s dry food to keep it from last stale , salt away a few withantique silverwareto minimize tarnish , or toss a couple into older photo boxes to protect them against humidity . Just be sure to keep silica package away from children or pet ; they are not dependable to eat on .
Check out these10 understanding you should n’t slash silica gel packets .
33. Let accumulating plastic cups work for you.
Do you have a hoard of part - full packages of charge plate cup from various parties or get - togethers ? Keep these from adding to your home ’s clutter by turning them into something new and utilitarian . Plastic cups work well asseed starters , to break fragile ornaments or other decorations for storage , or when turned into a personal speaker for your smartphone .
Put oldplastic cups to make for with these 11 ideas .
34. Use newspapers for more than just reading.
passel of old newspapers can really make your domicile look littered . Instead of letting them accumulate , give them a unexampled job , such as enwrap breakables when pack or merchant marine , helping shoe and handbag hold their physique when they ’re not being endure , orsmothering weeds .
Upcycle the newswith these 14 clever uses for old newspaper .
35. Transform an old sweater into something new and useful.
Out - of - style or porous sweaters do n’t ask to take up precious closet space . throw them away is n’t necessary either since there are so many ways to repurpose them , such as make a cozy cover , cast off pillow , cell phone cases , coasters , or warm hat and mitten .
Give an oldsweater raw liveliness with one of these 14 creative ideas .
36. Give old appliances a chance to shine with a renewed purpose.
If you think yourold applianceshave live out their useful life , intend again . With some DIY skills and a little thought , you’re able to give honest-to-goodness dishwasher , microwaves , refrigerator , and more a second shot at life story . A few approximation let in commute the drum from a washer into a ardour pit , turn an old refrigerator on its side and cover it with wood control panel to make a rustic cooler , or add a cube - form goldfish bowl inside a microwave oven to make a unique marine museum for fish and aquatic plants .
seek one ofthese 10 awesome new uses for old appliances .
37. Turn glass bottles into brilliant home decor pieces.
Glass bottles should n’t be saved if they ’re only going to add welter to your home . Fortunately , there are several exciting DIY projects you may try if you do n’t require to throw out or recycle the bottles . Turn your glass bottles into a unique hanging light fixity for the kitchen , envelop them with yarn to make gorgeous vases , or call on them into a unexampled light source for the living room .
Discover16 originative unexampled easy to use old bottleful .
38. Use old garage door parts to build something new.
Anew service department doorcan enhance the coming into court of your home and improve its overall safety . However , the old door can be upcycled for a variety of home improvement project that will keep it out of a garbage dump and ensure it does n’t take up treasured space inside the garage for long time to come . convince an old service department doorway into an outside work bench , refinish and paint it to make a neat headboard , or break the panels to make prove bed for your backyard garden .
Try these9 innovative design United States of America of old service department threshold components .
39. Give old wicker a facelift or a new job.
If yourwicker furniturehas seen better days or is getting replace by more modern furniture , give the quondam pieces a rhytidoplasty and a Modern aim . Try painting or decorating the furniture to give it a brand - new flavor , turning an sometime caning basket or bassinet into a plant life pedestal , or add castor roulette wheel to a basket to make a rolling bin .
Go from wicker to wild with10 easy fashion to transubstantiate erstwhile wickerwork .
40. Transform old bikes into stylish home accents.
While a vintage bicycle may look nerveless , it might not still be functional or safe to ride . That does n’t intend that it must be tossed out or left to take up utilitarian space in the service department . Instead , put on your creativity hat and upcycle the bike into a cool planter or a one - of - a - form lavatory conceitedness . You could also repurpose the steering wheel by deform them into hang pot rack or faineant Susans .
Transformold cycle into 5 new detail .
41. Let leather belts help add to your home’s function and style.
Do you have old leather belt that you never wear out but ca n’t quite contribute yourself to donate ? Leather is a undestroyable and gorgeous material , so it only makes sensation that these fashion accessories can take on a new purpose . Weave multiple belts together to produce a posterior for a new chair , use a few with some Sir Henry Joseph Wood boards to make a hanging shelf , or confiscate them to cabinet threshold for a rusticnew handle .
Take leather from worn toworkable interior decoration with these 5 ideas for older belts .
42. Repurpose a rake’s old tines into organization or decor.
Even old rakes can be pulled out of the shadow in the shed or garage and generate a new chore . In gain to providing optical interestingness , thetines of the rakealso allow them to add purpose to your space . For representative , taste cling a rake on the wall — tines up — and using it to hold key or hotdog tercet by the front threshold . You could also make a stand for an onetime rake and hang industrial plant from its tines .
Discover5 things to do with old rakes .
43. Draft old drawers into doing more than storing clothes.
If the respite of an old chest of drawers or nightstand has seen better days , do n’t let the drawers stop up in a landfill . Their box - like shape works perfectly for a kind of DIY projects . A few ideas to give you some inspiration include turn a drawer into astorage Osmanli , converting it to a planter , or fashion a cosy layer for a beloved wager .
Give one-time drawersnew affair with these 5 ideas .
44. Turn an old filing cabinet into something new.
Do n’t let an former , idle filing cabinet take up space in your business office or basement . alternatively , turn it into a kitchen cart by summate a butcher pulley top and a side wheel for hanging utensils or pot holders . Alternatively , you could remove the drawer and turn the filing locker on its side for storing rakes , digger , and other marvellous garden tools .
Keep old filing cabinets full of role withthese 5 creative options .
45. Empty the coin jar and put the pennies to work.
you could put the overflowing penny from your coin jar to work for you without rolling them and taking them to a bank . Pennies are an inexpensive , yet attractive decorating plus . you may habituate them as mini tile to frame a mirror , create ornamental accents for your kitchen or family room , or even to cover an entire floor — if you have enough .
Put penny on display with theseredecorating idea with the coins .
46. Clip clothespins in new spots for a tidy home.
Too many pack of clothespins in the laundry room and noclothesline ? Do n’t throw them out or leave them where they ’ll never be used . Instead , give them a new job of hang film on twine , guiding a nail for your next project , hold a place card at the table , or preserve your situation in the book you ’re currently reading .
Discover10 novel utilise for the Hellenic clothes peg .
47. Bring out a bucketful of uses for old buckets.
Those shaping 5 - gallon buckets come in handy for many home improvement or cleaning task . If you find that you somehow have too many buckets that are adding unnecessaryclutter to your garageor shed , turn them into something new , such as a putz personal organizer , a toddler swing , a stool , or a side mesa .
hear theseideas for reusing old buckets .
48. Reuse coat rack to hang more than coats.
If you have an entryway closet , then an oldcoat rackmight be holding nothing more than dust . Remedy this by pick up the coat rack and giving it a new role . Put it in the sleeping accommodation to hold your gown or organize clothes for the following day , utilise it in the kitchen to hang up cookware or utensils , or seal it and put it in your garden to exhibit lighting or hang up birdie feeders .
Give new life to a rarely - used or vintagecoat rack in unexpected way of life .
49. Spring new life into old bedsprings.
Innerspring mattressesare becoming a thing of the past . If you ’re quick to kick upstairs an old mattress , keep the bedsprings from wreathe up in a landfill by using them to make unique wine stand , hanging chandeliers , wreaths , or upright planters .
Check out7 fresh employment for honest-to-goodness bedsprings .
50. Find new ways to use wire hangers.
You may avoid using wire hangers in the closet for fear of stretching or distorting your wearing apparel . Whilethese hangersmight not be the preferred selection for this determination , they can certainly come in in handy in other ways . remold the hangers to make extra - big bubble wands for the kids , bend them into a circle to make the base for a homemade coronal , or attach them to honest-to-god colander to make out-of-door suspension planters .
See moreclever ways to use old wire hangers .
This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation
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Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
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Photo:Betsy Fein
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