All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things

Mark Lund

New uses for old things give used-up items—think antiques, empty containers, office supplies, and more—a new purpose. These repurposed items get a second life, and clever upcyclers have new cool gadgets, gizmos, and decorations, plus new ways to solve daily problems. Old things can be found in home offices, kitchens, craft rooms, and more. Upcycling ideas for these things just take a little creativity, a little patience, and a fresh perspective.

RELATED: Fresh Ways to Reuse Things in Your Kitchen

Putting old things to good use is a favorite pastime at Real Simple. The Real Simple version of upcycling reuses old things, sure, but it also puts standard tools such as colanders, toothbrushes, and more to work in new ways. With these new uses, every item in the home can have fresh potential, and the need to buy a brand new tool for every minor issue lessens slightly.

Some new uses for old things solve particular problems, like trash can smell, while others use old things—think combs or rubber bands—in dynamic ways that cut down on plenty of annoying little issues. Out of hundreds of new uses for old things, the upcycling ideas for repurposing household items here are some favorites. Put them to the test around the house, and prepare to be amazed by what old things can do.

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Picture Frame as Vanity Tray

Sang An

Repurpose an old frame for a vanity tray that’s pretty as a picture. Place a piece of colored paper or fabric inside as a finishing touch.

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Twister Mat as Tablecloth

James Baigrie

Protect the dinner table during a kid’s party, so right-hand-red Kool-Aid spills and left-hand-blueberry pie blobs don’t become permanent features.

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Toothbrush as Corn Cleaner

James Baigrie

Use a clean toothbrush to remove stray threads of silk from freshly shucked ears of corn. The bristles will lift them away quickly and efficiently.

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Colander as Ice Bucket

Aya Brackett

At a party, stash ice in a colander set on top of a bucket or a bowl. Water will drain out, and guests will get only the solid stuff.

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Cardboard Roll as Hair Clip Holder

Monica Buck

Stop searching high and low for hair clips and elastics: Store them tidily on an empty TP tube.

6 of 50

Cardboard Coaster as Gift Tag

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Pick up interesting cardboard coasters at restaurants and bars you visit along your travels. Punch a hole near the edge, thread some ribbon through, and voilà: homemade gift tag.

7 of 50

Chalk as Moisture Absorber

Monica Buck

Tie up a few pieces in cheesecloth and store them with your good silver to slow any tarnishing.

8 of 50

Vegetable Oil as Shoe Shiner

Burcu Avsar

Vegetable oil will put a shine on leather shoes. Use a damp cloth to remove any dirt, then run a soft cloth with a drop of oil over the surface to (literally) add polish.

9 of 50

Matchbox as Sewing Kit

Mark Lund

Tuck a few needles, pins, and thread into a matchbox for an instant sewing kit.

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Drink Carrier as Condiment Kit

Beatriz da Costa

Cart condiments to a backyard barbecue. Slot flatware, ketchup and mustard in the compartments for easy transport.

11 of 50

Cassette Case as Cord Corraller

Mark Lund

Have an old cassette case hanging around? (Oh, you know you do.) Coil iPod earphones and tuck them in to keep wires uncrossed.

12 of 50

LifeSaver as Birthday-Candle Holder

Beatriz da Costa

One of readers’ all-time-favorite ideas: the LifeSaver as birthday-candle holder. (Candies in the original rolls provide the best fit―LifeSavers sold in big bags are larger and don’t work as well.)

13 of 50

Tissue Box as Plastic Bag Holder

Beatriz da Costa

Forget unruly plastic bags that seemingly regenerate under your sink. An empty tissue box keeps them neatly corralled and ready for use.

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Shower Cap as Shoe Travel Bag

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

A giveaway shower cap becomes the perfect wrapper for shoes when traveling, preventing them from dirtying clothes packed in your suitcase.

15 of 50

Return-Address Sticker as Possession Labeler

Mark Weiss

Brand anything as yours―books, binders, Tupperware, a stapler―with a return-address sticker.

16 of 50

Window Decals as Drink Markers

Anna Williams

Decorate (and distinguish) wine or water glasses at your next get-together with removable window decals.

Courtesy of reader Linda Winterhoff of Williamsburg, Virginia

17 of 50

Soap Case as Camera Protector

David Prince

A hard plastic soap case is the perfect size to protect a camera stashed in a carry-on bag.

Courtesy of reader Amy Deml of Little Falls, Minnesota

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Mitten as Sunglass Case

Sang An

Put off-duty winter mittens to work as protection for summer shades.

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Plastic Bag as Paintbrush Saver

Kana Okada

A supermarket bag, tightly secured with a rubber band, will keep a brush (or roller) moist for a day or two in between painting sessions: the end of dried-out bristles.

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Use Rubber Bands to Keep Clothes on the Hanger

Quentin Bacon

No more worries of camisoles, sundresses, and other slippery garments slipping off hangers when you wrap the ends with rubber bands.

21 of 50

Binder Clip as Key Chain

Charles Maraia

A binder clip serves as a key chain/money holder you can clamp to your waistband for a purse-free morning walk.

22 of 50

Ribbon as Old Lamp Shade Reviver

Antonis Achilleos

Pretty ribbon revives an old lamp shade. Apply a thin layer of glue and press on each piece of ribbon, matching the ends neatly.

23 of 50

Mouse Pad as Trivet

Sang An

Save a countertop with an old mouse pad turned trivet. (Make sure it has a nonplastic coating.)

24 of 50

Aluminum Foil as Paint Tool

Quentin Bacon

No more oops! moments when painting, if you cover doorknobs and hardware with aluminum foil.

25 of 50

Hair Straightener as Clothing Iron

Kana Okada

That straightening iron works on more than rambunctious hair: Use it to press between buttons, where a regular iron won’t fit.

26 of 50

Plastic Bags as Knee Pads

Kana Okada

Gardeners can go easy on their jeans with homemade knee pads. A couple of plastic bags tied on keep them grime-free.

27 of 50

Contact Lens Case as Medicine Holder

Frances Janisch

When traveling, eliminate clunky bottles for nonprescription meds from your purse by popping the pills into a contact-lens case.

Note: This is not a childproof method for storing your pills. Don't try this if you have small children who rummage through your purse.

28 of 50

Towel Rod as Cleaning Supply Holder

Aya Brackett

Assemble a spray-cleaner arsenal by installing a rod in the closet or underneath the sink and then hooking the bottles onto it by their triggers.

29 of 50

Hair Elastic as Flower Arranger

Gemma Comas and James Merrell

A clear hair elastic binds blooms together for a better arrangement in a wide-mouth vase. Stretch the elastic around the stems, then let the flowers fall naturally.

30 of 50

Ketchup Bottle as Pancake Batter Dispenser

Mark Lund

Make no-mess pancakes with the help of a ketchup bottle: Pour in batter, then squeeze out precise portions.

31 of 50

Rubber Bands as Glass Holder

Kathryn Barnard

Rubber bands give little fingers a better grip on a chilly or slippery glass.

32 of 50

Popcorn as Eco-Friendly Packing

Formula Z/S

Why pack with Styrofoam peanuts when you can pack with popcorn (plain and air-popped). No air popper? Be sure to cover the item with a plastic bag.

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50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things

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Picture Frame as Vanity Tray

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Twister Mat as Tablecloth

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Toothbrush as Corn Cleaner

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Colander as Ice Bucket

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Cardboard Roll as Hair Clip Holder

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Cardboard Coaster as Gift Tag

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Chalk as Moisture Absorber

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Vegetable Oil as Shoe Shiner

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Matchbox as Sewing Kit

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Drink Carrier as Condiment Kit

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Cassette Case as Cord Corraller

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LifeSaver as Birthday-Candle Holder

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Tissue Box as Plastic Bag Holder

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Shower Cap as Shoe Travel Bag

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Return-Address Sticker as Possession Labeler

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Window Decals as Drink Markers

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Soap Case as Camera Protector

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Mitten as Sunglass Case

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Plastic Bag as Paintbrush Saver

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Use Rubber Bands to Keep Clothes on the Hanger

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Binder Clip as Key Chain

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Ribbon as Old Lamp Shade Reviver

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Mouse Pad as Trivet

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Aluminum Foil as Paint Tool

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Hair Straightener as Clothing Iron

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Plastic Bags as Knee Pads