15 Upcycling Ideas for the Crafty and Thrifty Mind

If you want to reduce waste in the best way, look to upcycling. It takes items that would otherwise go into the trash and breathes new life into them. These upcycling ideas range from the practical to the aesthetic, from weddings to cozy nights in. They also are diverse in craftiness, so there’s going to be an idea here for everyone at all skill levels!

1. Mason Jar Candles

If you have candle-making equipment lying around, feel free to take an empty food or Mason jar and turn it into the smell-good of your dreams. Just clean it out, remove any odors by soaking it in vinegar diluted with water, then fill it back up with soy wax and a wick. You can also put fairy lights in them if you don’t have all the supplies.

2. Bookish Furniture

Books are some of the most beautiful pieces of art out there. Plus, they’re durable and sturdy. With a little glue or sealant, you can take a dingy end table or shelf and transform it with a flat layer of books. You can also use books as a tall, thick leg under a square or circular piece of wood.

3. T-Shirt Towels

Don’t get rid of old t-shirts, because they make the best fodder for new cleaning rags. All you need is a pair of scissors, and you have some scrap fabric. If you want to make them more professional, take them to a sewing machine to clean up the edges. This isn’t necessary, though.

4. Cork Art

How many corks have you popped in your day? Cork is typically compostable, but you can also transform it into decor. Consider using them to line a frame for a unique look or weave some strong thread through them to make a kitschy garland.

5. Can Planters

Old steel cans that gave you delicious corn and black beans are perfect pots for tiny plants. Peel off the label and give each can a splash of paint. Get creative. Then, fill them with soil and hang them from curtain rods so they dangle in the best area for light.

6. Belts as Straps

Weave or sew some belts together to form DIY straps for clothes. This could be for a fun pair of overalls or for a thrifted bag. You can also take some broken belts and craft a new, patched one from the pieces.

7. Construction Paper Like Wallpaper

If you’re crafty or a preschool teacher, chances are you have tons of patterned construction paper around that you won’t use. You can use them with some decoupage materials or other glue to add fun and funky patterns to boring furniture. Consider doing this to the outside of filing cabinets or as an accent to the inside of cabinetry.

8. Rope With Utility and Pizazz

Maybe you rock climb a lot or hike. Regardless, you could have jute rope around the house that’s collecting dust. Here are two fun ways to use it. First, you can wrap it around the legs of furniture or poles to create a homemade cat scratcher. You can also wrap it around vases and decorative items to create a nautical look.

9. Shells as Dishes

With a little painting and sealing, you can make the large shells you find at the beach extremely practical dishes. They could be sauce ramekins for the kitchen or a key holder near your front door.

10. Cardboard Castles

Kids have the most intense imaginations, so they will make fun out of anything — even if you were going to throw it away. Lay out some safety scissors, glue, and markers, and see what they create. Cardboard is sturdy enough to make a tall building, like a castle, or a homemade boardgame with stable pieces.

11. Ladder Scraps

If you have an old wood ladder, it can transform into countless things. It could transform as an open-air wardrobe, or you can just use the rungs to add some more storage space in a tight closet.

12. Jeans Turned Aprons

Upcycled ideas can be good even if they turn into the same type of product. Clothes can turn into new clothes, just like jeans cut around shorts-length can be a wonderful half-apron. This is great for working or cleaning around the house. It could also serve as a durable tool belt with enough loops and pockets.

13. Newspaper as Gift Wrap

This is a more obvious upcycling idea that can help the planet, but it’s a classic. Most wrapping paper is not recyclable because it contains glitter or has a shiny coating. Newspaper is a stylish option that’s completely recyclable. Plus, who doesn’t have access to free newspaper scraps?

14. Cosmetics Bottles as Ornaments

Many perfumes and aftershaves come in uniquely shaped bottles. You shouldn’t waste that charm by throwing it in the trash. Give them a coat of paint, add some of your personal style, then add a hook and you have another ornament to add to your collection come the holiday season.

15. Pallets into Almost Everything

Pallets are an entry into upcycling for many. They are so versatile and useful. Because of their construction, they are already sturdy, making them a great base for countless furniture pieces. However, it could go beyond that if you’re creative enough. Here is a nonexhaustive list of upcycling ideas for the rogue pallet in your life:

• Outdoor sauna
• Bed frame
• Shoe rack
• Garden wall or vertical garden
• Bookshelf
• Outdoor swing
• Photo backdrop
• Compost bin
• Room divider
• Advent trees
• Wooden flags
• Walkway planks
• Centerpieces

Upcycling Your Future

Think outside the box, and you’ll never know what ideas you can come up with for your next project. Nothing ever has to go to landfill if you have a wide enough imagination, so long as you’re safe and thoughtful. Once you complete a project, share with your loved ones and on social media. You never know how much you could remove from landfill by inspiring someone else to reimagine their products in a greener way.