17 Upcycling Ideas You Can Do Right Now At Home

Author Laila Abuelhawa

May 31st, 2021 5:00 AM

Recycling and buying secondhand have become a staple part of many of our daily lives. Taking things a step further, there are so many things you can upcycle from your home in order to reduce your carbon footprint. Upcycling is the process of reusing discarded materials or unwanted objects to create a product of higher quality or value than the original. Upcycling can be super easy, so don’t feel intimidated about trying it yourself!

• Light Bulb Lamp

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  If light bulbs don’t top your list of things to save, this beautiful project might just change your mind. These burned out light bulbs still do an amazing job of reflecting light. Collect old light bulbs in a big vase with a large pillar candle for a brilliant upcycling project that casts a romantic glow.

• Vintage Tin Kitchen Garden

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  Having fresh herbs at hand will take your culinary skills to the next level and add a beautiful pop of live greenery to your kitchen. Save counter space by keeping fresh herbs in your prettiest tins with this easy upcycle.

• Small Cleaning Brush

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  When your mascara is finished, clean the brush to use it as a cleaning tool that can get into the tiniest nooks and crannies of hard-to reach spots!
• Mason Jar Salads

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  Finally put that collection of old jars to good use! Put all your dry salad ingredients into a mason jar to keep your veggies fresh!

• Shower Hook Closet Bag Holders

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  Got extra shower hooks lying around? Put them to good use by securing your purse by the handles and hanging them in your closet!

• Eye Shadow Nail Polish

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  Want to match your favorite shade of eye shadow to your nails? Simply grab a bottle of top coat and you’re on your way to true hand-eye coordination. This is also a smart way to make use of a color you love, but don’t necessarily want to wear on your lids.
• Bamboo Skewer Scent Diffuser

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  Take bamboo skewers and put them in a bottle filled with your favorite scented essential oil and dried herbs and flowers for a neat scent diffuser.

• Paper Towel Bracelet Holder

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  Stowing bracelets away in a drawer is messy and it makes it hard to see what you have. By using a paper towel or toilet paper core, you can paint or cover in duct tape to make a cute bracelet holder!

• Ice Cube Snack Tray

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  Help hungry kids hit all the major food groups with this slick use of ice cube trays. Just fill the tiny compartments with perfect proportions of fruits, veggies, candy and other yummy snacks. They are a hit with parents and kids alike!
• Wine Bottle Wind Chime

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  Liven up your garden or patio with a wind chime made from the tops of recycled wine bottles. For the doable DIY, all you have to do is string them together!

• Old Books Into Shelves

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  Any old books you have lying around can be made into a cute shelf! Simply mount brackets underneath unused books to add flair to your walls.

• Salsa Jar Candle

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  Give old salsa jars a newly scented life -- as a candle! Wash out your jar after use and while your candles burn out, save the remaining wax to create a new candle of your own. Simply pour boiling water over remaining candle wax, and as you save enough, re-melt the wax to pour in your old salsa jar!
• Newspaper

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  Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

• Mint Box Bobby Pin Holder

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  Use any used mint box to store bobby pins and hair ties. Cute, small, and organized -- easy upcycle!

• Pool Noodle Boot Fillers

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  If you have more than your fair share of boots, you know just how messy they can look all slouched over. Boot fillers can be expensive, but fill your boots with pool noodles for a cheap and effective alternative. Simply cut the noodles to fit your tall boots!
• Ketchup Bottle Pancake Squirter

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  Clean out your used ketchup bottle and fill it with your pancake mix for a perfect pancake every time!

• Kleenex Box Plastic Bag Dispensers

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  Transform your empty tissue dispenser into a plastic bag dispenser. Just weave plastic bags through one of the handles!

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Author Laila Abuelhawa

Category:

• Beasley Best Community of Caring
• Q105

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Beasley Best Community of Caring