You can accomplish most of these simple upcycling ideas in a single afternoon.
1. Before: Soda Can
Don’t recycle that can just yet — it has a lot more aesthetic potential than you realize.
1. After: Soda Can Art
Some cutting, shaping, and painting turned the empty beverage into the petals and stems of these pretty framed florals.
Get the tutorial at Purple Hues and Me »
2. Before: Mint Box
After freshening up your breath, a candy dispenser can also organize your purse.
2. After: Bobby Pin Holder
Banish flyways just like coffee breath. Replace the container’s label with washi tape, and voilà — bobby pins are finally corralled in one place.
Get the tutorial at Bright Bold and Beautiful »
3. Before: Kitchen Stool
If your kitchen island seating is literally on its last leg…
3. After: Gift Wrap Caddy
Flip the stool upside-down to stash a supply of wrapping paper, and hang any extra tools on the legs’ cross bars.
Get the tutorial at Home Talk »
4. Before: Cake Pans
After years of birthdays, your cake pans probably aren’t pristine. But that’s no reason to toss them
4. After: Tiered Tray
Last-minute dinner party centerpiece: a vintage-style display like this one.
Get the tutorial at A Nest For All Seasons »
5. Before: Tires
Yes, even this banged up piece of rubber can find a place in your home (and we don’t mean in the garage!).
5. After: Christmas Lawn Ornaments
Last-minute dinner party centerpiece: a vintage-style display like this one.
Get the tutorial at A Nest For All Seasons »
6. Before: VHS Storage Case
Almost any antique store you visit will have a few VHS cases for just a couple dollars.
6. After: Christmas Lawn Ornaments
Bring them into the 21st century with a coat of grey paint and some industrial legs.
Get the tutorial at Sadie Seasongoods »
7. Before: Knife Rack
Paired with skewers, this common kitchen object is totally perfect for the craft room
7. After: Thread Organizer
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.
Get the tutorial at Refresh Living »
8. Before: Headboard
This lucky antique store find would be a beautiful focal point in a bedroom, but the owner had another cool idea.
8. After: Quilt Rack
Turned on its side, the elegant piece becomes an eye-catching space to display blankets and throws.
Get the tutorial at Brepurposed »
9. Before: Broom Bristles
A gently used broom is practically begging to be upgraded from sweeping the floor to weekend DIY material.
9. After: Desk Organizer
This pencil holder is more homey and helpful than the uninspired, angular cups you’d find at an office supply store.
Get the tutorial at Homeroad »
10. Before: Florist Bucket
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.
10. After: Romantic Vase
A large floral appliqué with a coat of white paint gives the bucket an antique, romantic vibe that totally enhances the beauty of fresh flowers.
Get the tutorial at Shabby Fufu »
11. Before: Salsa Jars
Your chips-and-dip habit doesn’t have to result in a ton of glass jars in the recycling bin.
11. After: Candle Jars
Rinse them out and create pretty candle jars in a fun color scheme that matches your home.
Get the tutorial at The Real Thing With the Coake Family »
12. Before: Knife Block
Your chips-and-dip habit doesn’t have to result in a ton of glass jars in the recycling bin.
12. After: Craft Caddy
With the help of a drill (and some bold paint), this knife block gets a second life as a kid-friendly art station.
Get the tutorial at Thrift Diving »
13. Before: Tissue Box
A case of the sniffles doesn’t have to be all bad. Just hold on to empty Kleenex boxes from cold season.
13. After: Desk Organizer
A step above the average pencil cup, this cute caddy boasts special compartments (read: repurposed toilet paper rolls) to organize home office essentials.
Get the tutorial at Domestically Blissful »
14. Before: Tin Cans
Next time the soup’s on, rinse out the can for an after-lunch DIY.
14. After: Patio Luminaries
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.
Get the tutorial at Crafts Unleashed by Consumer Crafts »
15. Before: Tin Cans
Instead of tossing salsa and pasta sauce containers in the recycling bin, save a few screw-top jars.
15. After: Apothecary 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.
Get the tutorial at Little House of Four »
16. Before: Coffee Cans
If you go through more coffee cans than water bottles, that’ll come in handy for this upcycle idea.
16. After: Planters
Fresh paint and a textured trim transform these containers into decorative pots. Pop a pair on your mantel for some extra greenery.
Get the tutorial at The Wicker House »
17. Before: Phone Book
Everyone’s got an old phone book sitting around. Don’t recycle it just yet!
17. After: Phone Book Wreath
Upcycle your phone book into a sunny yellow wreath that will put a smile on everyone’s face.
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl Blog »
18. Before: Window Shutter
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.
18. After: Paper Organizer
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.
Get the tutorial at Jennifer Maker »
19. Before: Lotion Bottle
The next time you run through a bottle of lotion, rinse it out to create something practical for your home.
19. After: Herb Garden
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.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed »
20. Before: Paper Rolls
The next time you run through a bottle of lotion, rinse it out to create something practical for your home.
20. After: Wall Organizer
Glue a few rolls together to create a quirky wall organizer that can store all sorts of knick-knacks, from keys to air plants.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life »
21. Before: Classic Book
The covers of Reader’s Digest condensed books feature pretty patterns that are just as beautiful as the stories inside — and so you might as well display them with the rest of your art collection.
21. After: Photo Display
Adhere a family photo to the cover of each book and display them right on the mantel.
Get the tutorial at Sadie Seasongoods »
22. Before: Wine Corks
You know you’ve been saving those corks for something. We’ve got the most adorable solution ever.
22. After: Vase
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).
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised »
23. Before: Vintage Mirror
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.
23. After: Candle Tray
A delicate candle tray will look so chic in any farmhouse, boho, or traditional home.
Get the tutorial at Bless’er House »
24. Before: Boring Rug
Vacuum your old rug to clean off excess dirt — then, get ready to take it up a notch.
24. After: Bright Overdyed Rug
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.
25. Before: Paint Bucket
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.
25. After: Ice Bucket
A gold-trim ice bucket is just the thing to take your bar cart from blah to bold.
Get the tutorial at Hey Let’s Make Stuff »
26. Before: Vintage Teacup
At a yard sale? Scoop up that set of old teacups — there are so many creative re-uses for them.
26. After: Teacup Candle
These adorable homemade candles make perfect gifts. Not to mention, you can customize the scent exactly to your liking.
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl Blog »
27. Before: Chandelier
If you’re replacing your old dining-room light fixture, give it a second life and turn it into something totally new.
27. After: Crystal Necklaces
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.
Get the tutorial at Two Purple Couches »
28. Before: Cinder Block
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.
28. After: Planter
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.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised »
29. Before: Window Frame
Transform this dumpster-bound find into an entryway organizer that will add a pop of color and pizazz to an otherwise empty wall.
29. After: Entryway Organizer
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
30. Before: Thrifted Basket
Get creative with a flea market find (we picked up this seagrass beauty for $10).
30. After: Statement Basket
This dream weave was easy to achieve: simply paint a design, following the pattern of the basket.
31. Before: Brick
Use bricks from a leftover home project or buy them at your hardware store for around 60 cents each.
31. After: Planter
Scoop dirt or potting soil into a hole and pop in a few small succulents for the ultimate low-maintenance garden.
32. Before: Boring Rug
Before you send those cans off to the recycling bin, see if you can upcycle them first.
32. After: Pretty Pots
Rinse clean, file sharp edges, then measure the can height, cutting wrapping paper or wallpaper to fit before securing with double-stick tape.
33. Before: Wine Corks
Leftover wine corks are the perfect things to upcycle into something new.
33. After: Bottle Stoppers
Transform them into the perfect hostess gift with a little hot glue and a few gems.
34. Before: Lampshade
If you can find two matching lamp shades, then you can DIY your own chic light pendant.
34. After: Scandi Pendant
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.
35. Before: Sideboard
There are so many ways to transform this simple piece from the neighborhood garage sale…
35. After: Statement Sideboard
Use painter’s tape to create a geometric pattern on the front of the cabinet. Now, you’ve got a show-stopping piece.
36. Before: Secretary Desk
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.
36. After: Statement Desk
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.
37. Before: Paint Stirrers
Snap up some freebie sticks every time you hit the hardware store and build a little collection of scrap wood.
37. After: Starburst Mirror
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.
Get the tutorial at Decorating Cents »