21 Item Ideas to Upcycle to Save Money and Explore Your Creativity
Are you looking for a way to get creative? And save money while reusing old items? Yes! Then in this guide we share 21 upcycling ideas for the hot and creative upcycle trend.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!What Is Upcycling?
While recycling is the process of converting waste into reusable materials, upcycling focuses on creatively repurposing or redesigning old items. It’s art meets environmental conservation!
Learn more about upcycling here
Why Upcycle Items?
There are lots of reasons to upcycle, below is three.:
- Environmental Impact: Upcycling reduces waste headed for landfills.
- Economic Benefit: Save money by turning trash into treasures.
- Wonderful Hobby: Upcycling is a great way to keep busy while recycling items you already have.
21 Upcycling Ideas to Boost Creativity
Old T-Shirts: Turn them into fashionable tote bags, headbands, or even quilts
Old T-shirts don’t have to end up as clutter in your closet. Instead, you can upcycle them into trendy and useful items:
Fashionable Tote Bags
Transform your favorite old T-shirts into reusable tote bags. Simply cut off the sleeves and neckline, reinforce the bottom, and you have a stylish bag for groceries or shopping trips.
Stylish Headbands
Cut a wide strip from the bottom of your T-shirt, and you can create soft, comfortable headbands in various colors and patterns. It’s a fun way to add a pop of style to your outfits.
Cozy Quilts
For those sentimental tees you can’t bear to part with, turn them into a memory quilt. Cut out squares from the shirts and sew them together to create a cozy and unique keepsake.
Wine Corks: Create decorative bulletin boards or coasters
Don’t throw away those wine corks! They can be repurposed into charming and functional items:
Decorative Bulletin Boards
Glue wine corks to a wooden frame or backing, and you have a stylish bulletin board. It’s perfect for displaying notes, photos, or reminders in a creative way.
Elegant Coasters
Slice the wine corks into thin rounds and glue them together. You’ll have unique coasters that protect your furniture while adding a touch of rustic charm to your home.
Broken Jewelry: Combine pieces to make unique, new jewelry or decorate frames and vases
Turn your broken or outdated jewelry into something fresh and stylish:
Unique Jewelry
Combine the salvageable parts of broken jewelry to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. You can mix and match elements to design new earrings, necklaces, or bracelets.
Decorate Frames and Vases
Use tiny jewelry pieces to embellish picture frames or vases. Glue gemstones, pearls, or small pendants to add a touch of glamour and sparkle to your home decor.
Mason Jars
These little glass jars are a perfect upcycling ideas. Use them as storage containers, candle holders, or even hanging planters
Mason jars are incredibly versatile and can serve various purposes:
Functional Storage
Organize your pantry or kitchen by using mason jars as storage containers for grains, pasta, spices, or snacks. Label them for added convenience.
Cozy Candle Holders
Transform mason jars into rustic candle holders. Place candles inside, and you’ll have a warm and inviting atmosphere in no time.
Charming Hanging Planters
Attach mason jars to a wooden board or hang them individually. Plant small herbs or succulents in them to create a unique and eye-catching hanging garden.
Old Ladders: Convert them into bookshelves or towel racks
Don’t discard that old ladder – ladders are a fun items to create new items. You can turn it into:
Functional Bookshelves
Lean the ladder against the wall and use its rungs as bookshelves. It’s a creative and space-saving way to display your favorite reads.
Rustic Towel Rack
In the bathroom or by the pool, an old ladder can become a stylish towel rack. Hang towels on the rungs for a convenient and charming storage solution.
Suitcases: Transform your old suitcase into a quirky side tables or pet beds
Give vintage suitcases a new purpose:
Quirky Side Tables
Stack old suitcases on top of each other, secure them, and you have an eclectic side table with hidden storage. Perfect for adding character to your living space.
Pet Beds with a Twist
Create a cozy retreat for your furry friend by repurposing a suitcase into a pet bed. Line it with a soft cushion, and your pet will have a unique and stylish place to relax.
Wooden Pallets
Turn wood pallets into patio furniture, bed frames, or wall art.
Wooden pallets are a treasure trove of upcycling possibilities:
Patio Furniture
Dismantle pallets and use the wood to build outdoor furniture like tables, chairs, or even a cozy bench. Finish with a coat of paint for a personalized touch.
Creative Bed Frames
Construct a rustic bed frame from pallet wood. It adds a charming and natural element to your bedroom decor.
Artistic Wall Art: Disassemble pallets, arrange the planks in various patterns, and paint them to create unique and eye-catching wall art pieces. It’s a fantastic way to personalize your space.
Upcycle Tin Cans
Fashion them into charming garden lanterns, pencil holders, or flower vases.
Tin cans can be transformed into both functional and decorative items:
Garden Lanterns
Punch holes in the sides of tin cans to create beautiful lanterns. Place candles inside, and they’ll cast enchanting patterns of light in your garden.
Practical Pencil Holders
Wrap tin cans in colorful paper or fabric to make charming pencil holders for your desk or craft area. It’s a simple and fun way to keep your space organized.
Flower Vases with Flair
Paint and decorate tin cans to turn them into unique flower vases. They make lovely centerpieces for your dining table or thoughtful gifts for friends and family.
Denim Jeans
Craft them into durable aprons, potholders, or trendy handbags.
Worn-out jeans can find new life as practical and stylish items:
Durable Aprons
Cut the legs off old jeans and add straps to create durable and stylish aprons. They’re perfect for cooking or crafting, and the denim is easy to clean.
Trendy Handbags
Transform the back pockets of your jeans into fashionable handbags or clutches. Customize them with embellishments for a unique look.
Heat-Resistant Potholder’s
Use denim scraps to sew heat-resistant potholders. The thick fabric provides excellent protection when handling hot pots and pans.
Reuse Old Magazines
Weave or fold the colorful pages to create bowls or coasters
Old magazines can be turned into unique and eco-friendly home decor:
Colorful Coasters
Fold magazine pages into small squares and secure them with glue to create eye-catching coasters. They add a pop of color to your coffee table while protecting its surface.
Woven Bowls
Cut magazine pages into strips and weave them together to make decorative bowls. They’re perfect for storing small items or serving as stylish catch-alls.
Collect Bottle Caps
Design them into funky magnets, mosaic art, or table tops.
Bottle caps can be upcycled into quirky and creative pieces:
Funky Magnets
Glue magnets to the back of bottle caps to make fun and functional refrigerator magnets. You can personalize them with images or designs.
Mosaic Art Projects
Collect bottle caps of different colors and sizes to create mosaic art. Arrange them into patterns or images, glue them onto a surface, and finish with a protective coating.
Unique Table Tops
For an eclectic and personalized touch, cover a tabletop with bottle caps, seal them with epoxy resin, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind table that’s sure to be a conversation starter.
Save Old Window Frames
Refurbish into photo frames or message boards.
Old window frames can be repurposed into charming decor items:
Vintage Photo Frames
Remove the glass panes from an old window frame and replace them with your favorite photos. Hang it on the wall for a unique and rustic family photo display.
Practical Message Boards
Attach a grid of wire or string to the window frame and use it to pin notes, photos, or artwork. It’s a stylish and functional addition to your home office or kitchen.
Old Tires
Convert these into garden planters or fun outdoor ottomans.
Don’t toss those old tires – give them new life in your garden or outdoor space:
Garden Planters
Paint and stack old tires to create unique garden planters. They’re perfect for flowers, herbs, or even small shrubs. The rubber material is durable and can withstand the elements.
Outdoor Ottomans
Cover old tires with weather-resistant fabric or rope to craft comfortable outdoor ottomans. They’re not only functional but also add a playful touch to your outdoor seating area.
Broken Dishes are Ideal Items to Upcycle
Create beautiful mosaic art pieces or garden stones
Broken dishes can be transformed into stunning mosaic art or garden decor:
Colorful Mosaic Art
Smash old dishes into small pieces and arrange them into colorful patterns or designs. Use them to decorate picture frames, tabletops, or even wall art.
Garden Stones with Flair
Create personalized garden stepping stones by embedding broken dish fragments into wet concrete. They add a touch of whimsy and color to your garden pathway.
Upcycle Old Sweaters
Repurpose into cozy mittens, leg warmers, or throw pillows.
Don’t let old sweaters go to waste – turn them into warm and cozy items:
Cozy Mittens
Transform the sleeves of old sweaters into warm and stylish mittens. They’re perfect for keeping your hands warm during the colder months.
Stylish Leg Warmers
You can cut the legs of old sweaters and upcycle them into leg warmers. Cut the desired length, and you’ll have fashionable accessories that keep your legs cozy and chic.
Comfy Throw Pillows
Sew square or rectangular shapes from sweater material to create soft and comfy throw pillows. They add a touch of warmth and texture to your home decor.
Toilet Paper Rolls
Craft them into organizers, seed starters, or kids’ art projects.
Toilet paper rolls can be put to practical and creative use:
Functional Organizers
Decorate and stack toilet paper rolls to make desk organizers for pens, pencils, or even makeup brushes. They’re a simple and eco-friendly way to declutter your space.
Seed Starters
How about using toilet roll paper and turn them into seed starters. Simply cut toilet paper rolls into small segments. It’s another of the great great upcycling ideas that’s also good for the planet as they make biodegradable seed starters for your garden. Plant the whole roll directly into the soil, reducing transplant shock.
Kids’ Art Projects
Toilet paper rolls are a versatile craft supply. Kids can use them to create everything from binoculars to puppets, sparking their creativity and imagination.
Keep and Reuse Shoe Boxes
Use them for stylish storage containers or even DIY dollhouses.
Empty shoe boxes can serve a variety of purposes:
Stylish Storage Containers
Cover shoe boxes with decorative paper or fabric, and they become attractive storage solutions for small items, such as jewelry, stationery, or accessories.
DIY Dollhouses
Transform shoeboxes into miniature dollhouses. With a bit of creativity, paint, and craft supplies, you can create a fun and imaginative play space for kids.
Organized Gift Boxes
Decorate shoe boxes to use as personalized gift boxes. They add an extra touch of thoughtfulness when giving presents to loved ones.
Light Bulbs
Revamp into unique vases, terrariums, or hanging ornaments.
Don’t discard old light bulbs – give them a new purpose:
Elegant Vases
Remove the electrical components from light bulbs and carefully remove the metal base. You’ll have delicate glass vases perfect for single stem flowers.
Mini Terrariums
With a little creativity and some small plants, old light bulbs can become charming miniature terrariums. Hang them or display them on a shelf for a unique touch of greenery.
Hanging Ornaments
Paint and decorate old light bulbs to create colorful hanging ornaments. They’re great for adding a pop of color and whimsy to your home decor.
Old Books Upcycling Ideas That are Cute Too!
Shape into trendy shelves, clutch purses, or secret storage boxes.
Give old books a new lease on life with these creative upcycling ideas:
Make Trendy Shelves
Transform hardcover books into unique floating shelves. Secure the books to the wall with brackets, and you’ll have an eye-catching way to display small decor items or store essentials.
Chic Clutch Purses
Craft stylish clutch purses from the covers of old books. Attach a strap or chain, add a snap closure, and you’ll have a conversation-starting accessory that’s both fashionable and eco-friendly.
Secret Storage Boxes
Hollow out the pages of thick hardcover books to create secret storage compartments. It’s a clever and discreet way to stash small valuables or keep your secrets safe.
DVDs on Your Upcycling Ideas List
Recreate them into shimmering wall art, mirrors, or even a birdbath.
Repurpose old DVDs into dazzling decor and functional items:
Shimmering Wall Art
Glue shattered DVD pieces onto a canvas or wooden board to create shimmering mosaic wall art. The reflective surface adds a touch of glam to your space.
Reflective Mirrors
Cover a wooden or plastic frame with DVD pieces to make a unique and reflective mirror. It’s a fantastic way to repurpose discs and add a bit of sparkle to your decor.
Upcycled Birdbath
Use old DVDs to create a colorful and reflective birdbath for your garden. The shiny surface will catch the sunlight and attract feathered visitors to your yard
Old Belts – Adapt into stylish bracelets, wall hangers, or even revamped chair seats.
Don’t discard old belts – they can be transformed into practical and fashionable items:
Stylish Bracelets
Cut belts into bracelet lengths and add decorative hardware like studs, snaps, or buckles. You’ll have trendy accessories that make a statement.
Functional Wall Hangers
Hang belts horizontally or vertically on a wall to create unique and functional hangers for coats, scarves, or even jewelry. It’s an artistic and space-saving storage solution.
Revamped Chair Seats
Replace worn-out or torn chair seat covers with belts. Weave them together to create a comfortable and eye-catching seating surface that adds character to your furniture.
Tips for Successful Upcycling
Start Small
For beginners, choose a simple project like upcycling a tin can into a vase. As you get the hang of it, dive into more complex projects.
Gather the Right Tools
Basic tools include glue, scissors, paints, and brushes. Depending on your project, you might need additional items. Be prepared!
Seek Inspiration
There are countless upcycling blogs, YouTube channels, and Pinterest boards dedicated to upcycling ideas. Use them for inspiration.
Wrapping Up Our 21 Upcycling Ideas
Upcycling is a fun, creative, and environmentally-friendly way to breathe new life into items you might otherwise discard. Not only can it save you money by reducing the need to buy new items, but it also decreases waste, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Ready to begin your upcycling journey? Remember, the sky’s the limit. Whether you’re upcycling an old t-shirt or repurposing a wooden pallet, there’s a world of possibilities awaiting your creative touch.
By embracing the upcycling trend, you’re not just crafting—you’re making a positive difference for the environment. So, dig out those old items and let the upcycling fun begin!