Back in the day, “disposable” wasn’t a thing and whatever our grandparents and elders bought or owned didn’t go to waste. They didn’t need to have any recycle bins loitering in front of the house because they found ways to reuse old items again and again.
If you’re like your grandparents and you like to recycle and save money, then you’ll love these creative ways to transform “trash” into fabulous new storage solutions. These smart ideas aren’t just for show and tell – they’re practical DIY’s that you can actually use around your home!
Cheese Grater Pen Holder
Sure, you could just plop your pens into random coffee cups, but that looks so plain and boring. You could just as easily get this uniquely rustic look by using an old cheese grater to hold your writing utensils.
The great thing about this simple storage upcycle is that it’s practically already done for you! Just flip it upside down, nail it to the wall, and fill it with an array of colorful pens and pencils.
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Wooden Crate Shelves
Wooden crates are the holy grail when it comes to recycled storage solutions. If you’re lucky enough to come across one, don’t ever throw it away! They can be used for so many cool DIY’s. You may even be able to find some being discarded behind your local grocery store.
For this project, you can upcycle these crates into cute bookshelves or wall cubbies. Coat the crates with neutral or bright colors to match the room’s decor, or sand them and leave them unpainted for a more natural look.
Deadbolt Coat Rack
Now this is something you don’t see every day. Instead of tossing your keys onto the table, stick them into this deadbolt coat rack hanger. You can also hang your purse or coat off the deadbolts, too!
Rake Hanger
If you have an old hand rake in the storage shed that isn’t being used, give it a new life as as hanger. It tines at the end are perfect for hanging ties, belts, necklaces, and jewelry. The rustic aesthetics are great for adding a pop of interest to any country decor theme.
Old Drawer Turned Shadowbox
If you’re upgrading your kitchen and no longer have any use for the old drawers, don’t toss them into the dumpster. They’re practically screaming to be turned into shadowboxes!
It’s as easy as painting the outside of the drawer and lining the inside with craft paper or wallpaper. After you’re done, hang it on the wall and decorate it with your favorite pictures or found objects. This is a perfect opportunity to get crafty!
Tin Can Wrapping Paper Holder
Here’s an fun way to store all the wrapping paper that’s leftover from birthdays and Christmas. Instead of throwing soup cans into the recycling bin, save them for this cute DIY.
Paint old soup cans and attach them to a wooden board. The opening is a perfect fit to keep the wrapping paper in place. Attach little metal hooks on the side of the board to store tape, and you now have the ultimate wrapping paper station!
Yard-Long Chore Chart
If you have an old yardstick lying around, turn it into a chore chart hanger for the kiddos. Fridge magnets can obviously do the same job, but this project puts a little bit of fun and pizzazz into the whole boring chore routine.
This is super easy to make. Just attach a yardstick to the wall and use it as the base. Glue painted clothespins to the stick and you’re done!
Tuna Can Storage Tower
You might think it’s crazy to put an empty tuna can on display on your kitchen counter, but if you stack them up, they’re the perfect size for making a coffee and tea condiment station.
Place this swiveling tuna can tower next to a Keurig coffee maker, and you’ll have everything you need for your morning drink routine. It can also be used to store hair ties and little bits of jewelry, too!
Check out the instructions for this DIY right here.
Be sure to check out the video below for 23 more smart recycled storage ideas. Our favorite is the drum turned into a nightstand.
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