16 Creative Ideas To Upcycle & Reuse Household Junk

We all struggle with having junk around our home that no longer serves its purpose! It can be difficult to get rid of junk due to the hassle of getting it removed or due to sentimental value our household items contain.

An awesome solution to this issue is to reuse junk and upcycle it into unique and useful items for your home. This adds a flair of creativity and character to your home while being an environmentally sustainable option of keeping junk out of the landfill!

Continue reading to learn 16 creative upcycling ideas to repurpose your household junk!

1. Old ladder into a bookshelf

Turn an old ladder into a vintage-inspired bookshelf! Simply turn the ladder on its side and nail to the wall. Either use one half of the ladder or both halves in the corner of a wall. You can even paint the ladder in whatever colour will go best with your home, or leave as is for a rustic look

Source: https://www.boredpanda.com/creative-reuse-upcycling-repurposing-ideas/

2. Foldout wooden chair into shelf/closet unit

If you have any wooden fold-out chairs lying around in your garage, why not turn these into unique shelves or closet units. Simply nail the chair to the wall and use the seat as shelves and the bottom rail as a clothing or coat rack. Genius!

Source: https://www.boredpanda.com/creative-reuse-upcycling-repurposing-ideas/

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3. Tennis rackets into mirrors

Have you got any old school tennis, badminton or squash rackets collecting dust in your attic? Turn these old rackets into a unique wall piece by removing the strings and inserting mirror glass.

Hang these on the wall for a unique yet practical feature in any room in your home!

Source: https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/how-to/g810/crafts-recycled-materials/slide-5

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4. Create a couch with an old bathtub

If you are into funky furnishings, this one’s for you! Cut open one long side of an old bathtub and place couch cushions on the bottom. You can paint the bathtub and feet whatever colour you like!

Source: https://www.boredpanda.com/creative-reuse-upcycling-repurposing-ideas/

5. Bicycle into a sink stand

Most of us have old and half-broken bicycles lying around in the garage! Why not turn an old bike into a unique feature in your bathroom?

Remove the seat and place underneath your sink! The basket on the handles can even be used to store bath towels.

Source: https://www.boredpanda.com/creative-reuse-upcycling-repurposing-ideas/

6. Lightbulbs into oil lamps

Instead of throwing old light bulbs into the bin, why not turn them into unique oil lamps?

Fill the lightbulb with oil and place a wick inside the lamp. Secure the bulbs with a stand or super glue onto a surface.

Source: http://www.lookslikegooddesign.com/oil-lightbulb-sergio-silva/

7. Reuse candle glasses or old jars

Instead of throwing out an old soy candle glass one you are finished with it, simply reuse it by making your own candle in the used jar. Simply purchase some soy wax, fragrance oil and wicks and you are on your way to a homemade candle!

You can also do the same thing with old glass jars or teacups you no longer use.

Source: https://www.canva.com/media/MADaA692vFc

8. Turn skateboards into a children’s picnic table

If you have some old skateboards lying around that no longer have any use, get handy and transform these into a picnic table for the kids. They will love it!

Create a wooden frame and use the skateboards face down as the tabletop and seat benches.

Source: https://www.boredpanda.com/creative-reuse-upcycling-repurposing-ideas/

9.Turn a  bed frame into a crafty bulletin board

This is a great upcycling idea for old single bed frames that have lost their spring!

Use an old spring bed frame that has its legs removed, cleaned and nailed to the wall in your bedroom, lounge or kitchen. You can then use the springs as a bulletin board for photos, mail, decorations, keys and everyday knickknacks. Keep track of bills, to-do lists in a creative way!

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/16-insanely-clever-ways-to-reuse-household-junk-51388

10. Create a plant pot stand out of old salad bowls

Do you have an old wooden fruit bowl that is no longer in use? These can be easily repurposed into awesome plant pots that can be placed anywhere inside your home as a funky feature. Simply screw three tapered legs to the bottom of a wooden bowl and drill a hole into the centre (so the plant can drain) to create a tripod planter.

Fill the bowl with soil and a succulent, creeper or any other house plant variety that you love.

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/16-insanely-clever-ways-to-reuse-household-junk-51388

11. Make a jewellery stand out of china dishes

It’s quite common to have old china sitting hidden away in cupboards that never see the light of day. Quite often, china dishes have been gifted or handed down to us, meaning they carry immense sentimental value, so while they are never used, they are very hard to part with!

Bring your china back to life in a practical way by transforming them into a jewellery stand! Assemble candlestick holder and china dishes into a tiered stand using industrial strength adhesive.

Source: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Tiered-Jewelry-Organizer-13.jpg

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12. Turn teacups into mini plant or succulent pots

Here is another upcycling use for old china that is collecting dust in your cabinet!

Simply fill your old teacups with soil and place mini succulents or small plants inside and boom you have quirky and unique planters which you can place anywhere in your house for a vintage yet green touch!

Source: https://hip2save.com/2015/05/07/succulent-tea-cups-mothers-day-gift-idea/

13. Use old glass bottles as vases

Instead of throwing away old wine, alcohol or water glass bottles simply use them as flower vases around your home. This upcycling tip couldn’t be easier and it adds freshness and style to your home. You can fill the bottles with water and place fresh flowers inside. Alternatively, you can fill the empty bottles with an arrangement of dried flowers and foliage.

Source: https://www.canva.com/media/MAC5Iz-9dSE

14. Turn old knives into hooks

Turn old knives (the blunt kind!) into hooks by simply bending the blade end into a hook shape. Drill a hold in the handle and nail into the wall and you will have yourself some unique and stylish hooks to hang keys, coats or umbrellas!

Source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/112269842/ornate-upcycled-silver-hooks-have-your

15. Turn used cans into a wine rack

This is an excellent and easy way to save old cans from the trash! All you need to do is cut out the top and bottom. Paint the cans however you please and glue together to create an awesome free standing wine rack.

Source: https://www.brit.co/coffee-can-wine-rack/

16. Turn old window frame into a kitchen chalkboard

This is a clever way to upcycle old door frames and is easier than you might think! Leave the glass inside the frame and simply spray paint the glass with chalkboard paint. You will transform your old window frame into a rustic chalkboard. This can be pinned up on the kitchen wall and used as a weekly calendar, a to-do list, for inspiration quotes or for drawing cool art.

Source: https://www.housebyhoff.com/2013/09/old-window-chalkboard-calendar-its-30/

There you have 16 creative ways to upcycle junk in your household and save it from the dump!

And if you simply must get rid of stuff and need help with junk removal, post your requirement on ezy peazy to find taskers in your neighborhood..