New Uses for Old Things

You might want to think twice before you throw something away. There are plenty of ways you can upcycle something old into something useful and entirely unrecognizable. Here are just a few of them.

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Use Mason jars as candleholders. To cast romantic lighting, place a votive candle in a thick-walled glass and anchor it in a bed of sand or small pebbles.

Add slits to old pillowcases to turn them into soft, attractive garment bags.

Use plastic bread tags to keep flip-flops from coming apart. Just insert the tag opening around the peg on the bottom of the flip-flop.

Make hooks out of old silverware. Breathe new life into mismatched and old flatware by turning it into useful hooks for kitchen towels or aprons.

Refurbish an unused dish rack to organize file folders on your desk and customize tab folders to match your space. You’ll be surprised at how naturally this piece of kitchen equipment can fit into your home office.

If you’re one of the rare few who happens to have an old window lying around then you’re in luck. Use a reclaimed window as a wall hanging – or replace the glass with mirrors – to add character to your home.

NUFOT3Turn everyday bottles into jewelry holders in under a few minutes. How? Just stack bracelets around the neck for an effortless display. It works for paper towel holders, too.

When you have sweaters that you can’t bear to let go of, why not turn them into pillows? Upcycle a couple of cable knit cardigans and you’ll be able to enjoy those old sweaters in a new way.

Turn old table legs or stair balusters into candlesticks. Use a paddle drill bit to create a seat for the candle just and inch or two deep. You can paint the candlesticks to match your decor, or enjoy their weathered appearance.

When there is no longer a use for a breadbox in your kitchen, transform it into a charging station for all of your personal devices. Just drill holes in the back for your cords and cover it or paint it to match your décor. Use it in your kitchen or on your nightstand for a clever way to conceal those unsightly phone charger cables.

Make no-mess pancakes with the help of an old ketchup bottle. Just clean it out when the condiment is all gone, put batter in it and squeeze for the perfect pancake.

Put off-duty winter mittens to work as protection for sunglasses.

Repurpose an old frame for a vanity tray that’s as pretty as a picture. Place a piece of colored paper or fabric inside as a finishing touch. 

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Sources: realsimple.com./betterhomesandgardens.com/thisoldhouse.com

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