Upcycling and repurposing are great ways to reduce waste when crafting. Plus, upcycling and repurposing can also be fun and creative projects, while saving money on home decor items.
By upcycling old storage containers or making DIY wall art, there are plenty of thrifty craft projects you can complete to transform your space without breaking the bank. Make a trip out to your local thrift store today in search of unique treasures!
Paper and Cardboard
Paper and cardboard are ubiquitous household products, yet can prove highly useful. Cardboard can be cut and shaped into many different things – from shoe racks to storage solutions – while paper can be used for craft projects ranging from art projects, gift wrap gifts and jewelry creation. You’ll find plenty of ideas online on how to repurpose paper and cardboard materials.
Be mindful when recycling cardboard boxes: take some time to consider using them for creative craft projects first! Cardboard is an affordable material that allows for endless creative expression; paint, fabric or paper scraps can all help transform it into unique home decor or functional objects for use around your house.
Just use some imagination and basic craft materials to turn an ordinary cardboard box into a bookcase that stands out in any room! This project can even be enjoyed with children; they’ll love turning something simple like this into something beautiful and useful in their room!
Thin cardboard from cereal boxes or notepad backings is an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to display family photos without spending hundreds on professional photo framing services. Thin cardboard can even be cut to size and adhered using spray adhesive glue for a custom picture mat!
Cardboard can also be a fantastic material to use when crafting handmade gift wrapping and containers, using newspapers as gift bags or even forming them into flowers to embellish gifts or wreaths. Even better yet, upcycling oatmeal canisters by covering them with paper and painting them over can be done!
Cardboard can also be recycled by cutting it into thin strips and using it as bedding material for hamsters or other pet animals. Prior to doing this, make sure it has been thoroughly cleaned as animal bedding needs to be free from dust and dirt particles.
For those willing to go the extra mile, repurposing cardboard into a chandelier is one of the more advanced projects; but it can make an eye-catching statement in any home or as an expression of affection. It is an exciting way to show someone just how much you care, or add extra character and beauty.
Glass Jars and Bottles
No matter the age or ability level of your kids, upcycling projects offer plenty of creative ways to keep everyone entertained while having a blast doing something together. From old tin cans to mason jars, there is no end of ways that ordinary household items can become stunning pieces that add character and pride in what you have created!
Glass bottles, jars and cups make an excellent source of recycled household items. With just a bit of creativity you can transform them into vases, bird feeders, storage containers and spray bottles that add an element of flair. Furthermore, paint, etching or decoupage techniques allow you to further customize and personalize these creations to add that personal touch!
To save space in your pantry or kitchen cabinets, consider using empty glass jars to store items like rice, pasta, sugar and baking soda. They’re also an effective way to store dried beans and grains; simply clean out and remove labels before filling. For optimal storage results when storing dry goods be sure to seal it securely after each use.
Glass jars make an eco-friendly alternative to gift wrap, making Mason jars the ideal size to hold gifts such as gift cards, small pictures or jewelry. Make it extra festive by decorating it for Halloween using gauze, google eyes and ribbon for decoration!
Repurposing glass jars into wall-mounted storage units is another fantastic way to repurpose them, transforming them into versatile space-savers. Mason jars can be mounted to walls to store office supplies like pens, paper clips, nail files, etc. They’re even great for organizing the junk drawer or workspace cluttered with loose objects!
Glass jars can also be repurposed as beautiful planters by filling them with soil and planting flowers or herbs in the center. Or you could use one as a terrarium to display seashells from your travels!
Plastic Containers
Plastic containers and bottles can serve a multitude of functions when upcycled into useful craft items, from creating food storage solutions to upcycling into useful storage tools and more. You could even use them to grow herbs or make an innovative DIY bird feeder; all it takes is some creativity and repurposing skills to turn any container into something useful in your home or garden!
A cereal box can become an efficient way to store notebooks, magazines and other reading material. Its flat sides can be cut diagonally for better organization of materials that might otherwise become disorganized when scattered across shelves or stacks of books or stacks of papers are spread out. Furthermore, this sturdy container provides secure space to keep food leftovers or prepackaged snacks cold until needed for consumption.
Make an adorable pencil and crayon holder from any simple plastic bottle by cutting off its top and decorating with colorful patterns or animal-face designs using paint pens or crayons. This project can be enjoyed with children as the results are fun yet practical and attractive! Alternatively, upcycle larger plastic bottles into herb planters to decorate your kitchen!
Large plastic containers like those from frozen whipped topping or restaurant take-home boxes can make an excellent way to store lunch or snacks. When filled with ice, these portable coolers provide the ideal way to keep beverages and meals cold and fresh. You can even save gallon milk jugs to create fun Halloween skeleton decorations!
Your empty containers can also serve as self-watering planters or homemade compost scrap receptacles when transformed into self-watering planters or homemade compost scrap receptacles. Simply punch holes in the cap of an upcycled soda or milk jug to create an easy watering can for your plants, while it could even double up as convenient spots for storing and carrying laundry detergent when purchasing in bulk. Alternatively, they could serve as convenient piggy banks by painting over them so they are no longer visible and adding slots for coins into their lids – perfect for piggy banks!
Old Clothing
Clothing doesn’t need to be tossed away when worn-out or damaged; instead, they can be upcycled into useful products like a stylish denim skirt, fashionable T-shirt or denim pillow.
Even without much sewing experience, there are plenty of straightforward upcycling clothing projects you can complete using only scissors and some basic crafting supplies. Such projects could include cropping a t-shirt to turn into a skirt, stitching fabric scraps together into patchwork designs, tie dying old shirts or tie dying something completely different altogether! Plus you could always add custom embellishments such as embroidery stitches that reflect your personal style!
Embroidery is an excellent way to add color and dimension to clothing items. From clothing and shoes, bags, pillows and even rugs – embroidery can add vibrant details that stand out. Plus you could turn a worn out T-shirt into an eye-catching headband or use vintage sweaters that you no longer wear to craft a unique scarf that stands out!
If you have old clothing with holes and tears that’s no longer suitable, consider turning it into cleaning cloths or curtains to reduce waste and save money while adding a bit of style to your room. Plus, it will make life more colorful!
Create a reusable tote bag from an old dress or jeans by cutting them up and adding a strap – an effective way to reduce plastic use while creating an eye-catching accessory you’ll be proud to show off! This way you’ll save both plastic bags and plastic waste.
One great idea for upcycling clothing is hosting a clothing swap party with your friends and neighbors. This will be an enjoyable way to clear out what no longer suits you while giving it to those who will appreciate it more. Worn-out pieces could also be donated directly to charity or thrift shops so others can benefit. Remember polyester cannot be recycled multiple times without losing quality, so upcycling clothing instead of simply discarding is better for the environment than simply discarding.