As many of us try to curb overspending in the current economic climate, reusing old items can be a great money-saver. Instead of buying a new set of canisters from the Container Store, why not use mason jars instead? It's not only cheaper, it's also greener. Below, we list a few ideas for reusing old things. You can find these items in thrift stores, or you might even find some of them lying around your home just waiting to be repurposed...
These porcelain glove molds ($28 from Blue Bell Bazaar) can be used to hold necklaces and bracelets.
Vintage containers (including kitchen canisters, covered dishes, and jars) can be used to organize small items.
Stacked vintage suitcases can be used as side tables and storage pieces. Click here for a few other uses.
Vintage trays make great wall decor or they work as catch-all organizers in a bathroom, bedroom, or entryway.
Vintage linen tea towels make great hand towels in the bathroom. These are $16/set at P.O.S.H.
Etsy seller FODH made wine glass charms ($25/set) out of vintage typewriter keys, but you could also use old beads, machine parts, or anything small that can be threaded with a wire.
These vintage water faucet knobs ($6 from SushiPotParts) make great decorative hooks.
Basic glass and ceramic items like bottles, jars, and even coffee or teacups can be upcycled into lighting.
Vintage baskets (like this one from Amy's house tour) make great magazine racks.
Keep a set of vintage cocktail glasses on hand to use as bud vases. This set of 8 is $48 from High Street Market.
Other ideas for upcycling? Let us know in the comments below.
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I've had a "thing" for valve handles "faucet knobs" since when I worked in the Bay Area refineries 20 yrs ago. They always remind me of flowers & looked so out of place as they were often painted bright colors.
Oh, I'm having a bad grammar day...
That's funny! I just bought a bunch of old faucet knobs on ebay like this. I was going to just put them on the wall in the play area for my little boy to pretend they were knobs for robots/rocketships/etc... but I might just stick them in the bathroom to hang towels on, instead.
Jenzoe---you are such a nice mother or father for doing that for your kid---any son would just love such a item to play with. Do the play thing first and then find others for the bathroom. :-)
yes! do the play thing first!!!
also, what means this "upcycling"?
$25 wine trinkets, $48 bud vases, vintage baskets...
All of the above are contrary to the article's angle, which promised tips on how to "curb overspending in the current economic climate."
Do you ever question your insanely materialistic bent, AT?
I love the water faucet knobs, they actually remind me of this ceramic accessory to keep flowers in place once you've put them in their vase. You can check them out here (sorry it's all in Swedish though, but just to see what I mean) http://www.signerat.se/website1/1.0.1.0/12/1/?item=prod_prod-s1/705&group=prod_prod_grp-s1/14
I wonder if those faucets could be used for that as well, I guess it all depends on if they rust or not. Very pretty though! =)
I like the valve handles--those are cool. But everything else is just stuff.
Etsy is a great source for cute, but I never see anything that's really very useful.
Instead of paying ~$30 for a necklace holder, one could buy some $2 rubber gloves and a huge bag for plaster for ~$15 and mold a dozen for $17.
The teacup light & valve knobs are good ideas too--I just wish this website was a little less bougiebuy and a little more d.i.y....
kittehcat, I don't know why I never thought of molding my own. I think the glove molds are a little creepy, but having dozens of them will push the creep factor to the point of awesome.
um, hello, i think the items featured were meant to be examples of how others have upcycled. not go out and buy these things right now...
i take this post as providing inspiration to go shop around your house and look at items differently... maybe i am being optimistic
agreed kittehcat and somedude, several of those hands would be amazingly creepy... especially covering the entire top of your dresser...
Oh good, now I know what to do with those PORCELEAN GLOVE MOLDS that are just LYING EVERYWHERE in my home.
I used old faucets to hold up valances in the bathroom. I mounted 5 across the top of each window, sewed wide grossgrain ribbon onto the top of the valance, and tied the ribbon to the faucets. I like it so much I did the same treatment in the kitchen using old doorknobs.