Genius Trash-to-Treasure Crafts That Will Save You So Much Money
We've all heard the old adage: One man's trash is another man's treasure. However, when you're sifting through yard sales and thrift shops, it can sometimes be difficult to find the diamonds in the rough. After all, which pieces are treasures and which ones are, well, trash? That might depend on how creative you're willing to get.
If you ask us, almost any item can be upcycled into something new and improved — and doing so can help you save serious cash. That's why we've rounded up our favorite upcycling ideas that will show you just how many possibilities there are. From DIY furniture pieces to functional organizers for all your knick-knacks, these simple upcyclying ideas and trash-to-treasure crafts prove that old goods can be transformed into new pieces with just a tiny bit of work. You'll be living a more beautiful — and more environmentally friendly — lifestyle in no time.
Pin this article for later! For more, follow Good Housekeeping on Pinterest.
Sure, a wooden desk is lovely to begin with — but there are creative ways to really make it shine.
Add a layer of paint, some peel-and-stick patterned paper, and a tassel for a desk that can hold its own as the centerpiece of your space.
There are so many ways to transform this simple piece from the neighborhood garage sale...
Use painter's tape to create a geometric pattern on the front of the cabinet. Now, you've got a show-stopping piece.
If you can find two matching lamp shades, then you can DIY your own chic light pendant.
RELATED: 12 Antique Store Finds You Should Never, Ever Pass Up
Remove the fabric and lining from the shades and attach the wire frames bottom to bottom with electrical tape. Thread a pendent light cord through the middle and screw in an LED bulb. Hot glue the end of a length of jute cord to the top frame and wrap around until covered. Repeat with the bottom half.
Leftover wine corks are the perfect things to upcycle into something new.
Transform them into the perfect hostess gift with a little hot glue and a few gems.
Before you send those cans off to the recycling bin, see if you can upcycle them first.
Rinse clean, file sharp edges, then measure the can height, cutting wrapping paper or wallpaper to fit before securing with double-stick tape.
Use bricks from a leftover home project or buy them at your hardware store for around 60 cents each.
Scoop dirt or potting soil into a hole and pop in a few small succulents for the ultimate low-maintenance garden.
Get creative with a flea market find (we picked up this seagrass beauty for $10).
This dream weave was easy to achieve: simply paint a design, following the pattern of the basket.
Transform this dumpster-bound find into an entryway organizer that will add a pop of color and pizazz to an otherwise empty wall.
Use painter's tape to give the frame a fresh new color. Paint one pane with chalkboard paint and customize the others to your liking. Add a shelf and some hooks and you're done.
RELATED: 15 DIY Wall Decor Ideas to Instantly Upgrade Any Blank Space
Your next round of yard work might leave you with a few concrete blocks leftover — and if it does, don't worry about how you're going to schlep them to the dump.
Instead, paint a pretty design onto a few of them and use the blocks as indoor or outdoor planters. Your flowers will never know the difference.
If you're replacing your old dining-room light fixture, give it a second life and turn it into something totally new.
A show-stopping necklace will make you feel elegant whenever you put it on (or simply see it in your jewelry box). These ones require just a bit of suede cord and lobster clasps.
At a yard sale? Scoop up that set of old teacups — there are so many creative re-uses for them.
These adorable homemade candles make perfect gifts. Not to mention, you can customize the scent exactly to your liking.
Your home refresh doesn't have to end with a fresh coat of paint. You can also turn those empty paint buckets into something fabulous.
A gold-trim ice bucket is just the thing to take your bar cart from blah to bold.
Vacuum your old rug to clean off excess dirt — then, get ready to take it up a notch.
This hot trend is surprisingly easy to do at home. Mix store-bought dye per instructions — we used RIT all-purpose dye in Coral. (Note: Match your dye selection to your fiber type — e.g. natural vs. synthetic.) Wearing gloves, fill a glass spray bottle with mixture. Coat surface of rug. Repeat until it is the desired color.
Past-prime mirrors are a dime a dozen at thrift stores and yard sales alike. Pick one up and transform it into a centerpiece for your coffee table.
A delicate candle tray will look so chic in any farmhouse, boho, or traditional home.
You know you've been saving those corks for something. We've got the most adorable solution ever.
This trash-to-treasure craft works especially well if you're loyal to one brand of wine (since all the corks will be the same size).
Adhere a family photo to the cover of each book and display them right on the mantel.
Glue a few rolls together to create a quirky wall organizer that can store all sorts of knick-knacks, from keys to air plants.
The next time you run through a bottle of lotion, rinse it out to create something practical for your home.
These colorful planters are the perfect size to create a handy indoor herb garden. You can also use them to corral pens, pencils, and other office supplies.
An old window shutter is just the sort of thing you might find on the side of the road or even in you own garage.
Bring it inside to help organize your scrapbooking papers (or, ya know, your tax forms). Simply add a fresh coat of paint and some pockets and you're good to go.
Everyone's got an old phone book sitting around. Don't recycle it just yet!
Upcycle your phone book into a sunny yellow wreath that will put a smile on everyone's face.
If you go through more coffee cans than water bottles, that'll come in handy for this upcycle idea.
Fresh paint and a textured trim transform these containers into decorative pots. Pop a pair on your mantel for some extra greenery.
Instead of tossing salsa and pasta sauce containers in the recycling bin, save a few screw-top jars.
Fancy glass containers don't need to be expensive. Copy the vintage pharmacy look by painting the lids and affixing spare knobs or drawer pulls.
Next time the soup's on, rinse out the can for an after-lunch DIY.
Plot out pretty designs or go for classic polka dots when making these outdoor lanterns. If you don't have a powerful hole punch, just use a hammer and nail.
A case of the sniffles doesn't have to be all bad. Just hold on to empty Kleenex boxes from cold season.
A step above the average pencil cup, this cute caddy boasts special compartments (read: repurposed toilet paper rolls) to organize home office essentials.
One might assume that this kitchen accessory's slats are only fit for slim blades, but a clever blogger had another idea.
With the help of a drill (and some bold paint), this knife block gets a second life as a kid-friendly art station.
Your chips-and-dip habit doesn't have to result in a ton of glass jars in the recycling bin.
Rinse them out and create pretty candle jars in a fun color scheme that matches your home.
Since the container your flowers arrive in already fits all of the buds to a T, don't toss it just because the exterior is an eyesore.
A gently used broom is practically begging to be upgraded from sweeping the floor to weekend DIY material.
This pencil holder is more homey and helpful than the uninspired, angular cups you'd find at an office supply store.
This lucky antique store find would be a beautiful focal point in a bedroom, but the owner had another cool idea.
Paired with skewers, this common kitchen object is totally perfect for the craft room.
Your most-used threads are always within reach when standing at attention in this DIY organizer. And a coat of bright paint adds a pop of creativity to your space.
Almost any antique store you visit will have a few VHS cases for just a couple dollars.
Bring them into the 21st century with a coat of grey paint and some industrial legs.
Yes, even this banged up piece of rubber can find a place in your home (and we don't mean in the garage!).
No matter how ratty they are, you can upcycle those tires into fun and festive bulb ornaments for your lawn.
After years of birthdays, your cake pans probably aren't pristine. But that's no reason to toss them.
If your kitchen island seating is literally on its last leg...
Flip the stool upside-down to stash a supply of wrapping paper, and hang any extra tools on the legs' cross bars.
After freshening up your breath, a candy dispenser can also organize your purse.
Banish flyways just like coffee breath. Replace the container's label with washi tape, and voilà — bobby pins are finally corralled in one place.
Don't recycle that can just yet — it has a lot more aesthetic potential than you realize.
Some cutting, shaping, and painting turned the empty beverage into the petals and stems of these pretty framed florals.
Unassuming apple boxes are a great blank slate for some DIY-ing.
Embrace the ever-present pile in your entryway by creating candy-colored cubbies for everyone's sneakers and boots. The hanging bins are too fun not to use, and make stowing shoes nearly as easy as kicking them into a corner.
Snap up some freebie sticks every time you hit the hardware store and build a little collection of scrap wood.
A framed craft store mirror is all it takes to spice up the dining room walls. You can even stain the stirrers to match the table.
Genius Trash-to-Treasure Crafts That Will Save You So Much Money
We've all heard the old adage: One man's trash is another man's treasure. However, when you're sifting through yard sales and thrift shops, it can sometimes be difficult to find the diamonds in the rough. After all, which pieces are treasures and which ones are, well, trash? That might depend on how creative you're willing to get.
If you ask us, almost any item can be upcycled into something new and improved — and doing so can help you save serious cash. That's why we've rounded up our favorite upcycling ideas that will show you just how many possibilities there are. From DIY furniture pieces to functional organizers for all your knick-knacks, these simple upcyclying ideas and trash-to-treasure crafts prove that old goods can be transformed into new pieces with just a tiny bit of work. You'll be living a more beautiful — and more environmentally friendly — lifestyle in no time.
You can accomplish most of these simple upcycling ideas in a single afternoon.
Solve the daily Crossword
