Double-Duty Decorating Ideas

Sang An

Easy ways to dress up your home with items you already have.

Start Slideshow

1 of 101

Clothespin as Napkin Holder

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Use a clothespin to keep napkins neatly stacked at a cocktail party—or from blowing away at a picnic.

2 of 101

Tinsel as Wreath Garland

Photo: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Ropes of tinsel, wrapped around a foam circle, make a fun, modern wreath that you can use year after year.

3 of 101

Cake Stand as Soap Dish

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Glam up a bathroom or vanity. Stock soaps and washcloths on top, or showcase your prettiest perfume bottles.

4 of 101

Baby Oil as Paint Remover

Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Dab some baby oil on splatters to remove latex paint from skin.

5 of 101

Tinsel as Ornament Filler

Photo: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

If you have extra tinsel but aren’t feeling a fuzzy tree this year, stuff a handful into clear glass ornament balls. You’ll get tinsel in small, sparkly doses.

6 of 101

Candlestick as Bud Vase

Yasu + Junko

Cut stems short and add water to keep blooms upright for a night. (Alas, beauty is fleeting.)

7 of 101

Cupcake Liners as Candleholders

Levi Brown

Nothing holds a candle to dining al fresco, unless it’s so dark you can’t see the food in front of you. Place tealights in foil cupcake liners for a little glow at your next outdoor party. They’re cheap enough to use by the dozen, and cleanup is a piece of (cup)cake.

8 of 101

Toothbrush Holder as Vase

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Don’t have a vase small enough to display those pretty buds you picked? A seldom used toothbrush holder fits a small arrangement perfectly.

9 of 101

Ice Scraper as Decorating Tool

Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hide your picture-hanging mistakes. Smooth wall filler into nail holes and small cracks with the scraper.

10 of 101

Aluminum Foil as Party Garland

Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Twist foil into links to make a sparkly garland for an almost-instant party decoration (or a rainy-day distraction for the kids).

11 of 101

Dental Floss as Picture Hanger

Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hang a lightweight painting. Wrap one end of a strand of floss several times around one of a pair of screws or hooks attached to either side of the back of the frame. Wrap the other end around the remaining screw or hook, leaving some slack. Knot the ends and hang from a nail.

12 of 101

Beans as Candle Anchor

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Pretty and functional. Fill a hurricane vase with beans before adding a pillar candle to help keep the candle steady and minimize mess (the beans will catch the wax).

13 of 101

Gravy Boat as Unique Soap Dish

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Fill an antique gravy boat with a bar of soap to transform it into an elegant soap dish.

14 of 101

Cupcake Liner as Decorative Snowflakes

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Create a winter wonderland in the entryway. Flatten white paper liners (foil ones will work, too), fold into halves or quarters, then snip out shapes along the folds. When you open them back up, voilà: snowflakes you can string from the ceiling.

15 of 101

Luggage Tag as Decorating Aid

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Avoid decorating mistakes. Tuck fabric, wallpaper, and paint swatches inside so you can ensure a perfect match.

16 of 101

Votive Candle Holders as Place Cards

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Arrange a luminous table setting. Write guests’ names on strips of parchment paper and wrap them around votive holders, securing the ends with tape. As an alternative, remove the candles, cut snapshots of guests to match the height of a holder, and then curl around the inside wall.

17 of 101

Cupcake Liner as Halloween Decoration

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Show what a creative Halloween party “ghost-ess” you are. Turn white liners upside down, attach spooky googly eyes, and display them by a boo-fet of seasonally inspired treats.

18 of 101

Dental Floss as DIY Popcorn Garland

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

String a popcorn garland for the holidays (after a pit-stop in the medicine cabinet).

19 of 101

Cake Stand as Display Stand

Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Show off. Display small photos and mementos, which look more important on a platform.

20 of 101

Baby Food Jar as Paint Bucket

James Wojick

Simplify paint touch-ups by pouring a few ounces of each new wall paint into a jar for when those times it’s needed to cover the inevitable nail holes and scuffs.

21 of 101

Marbles as a Playful Arrangement

James Wojcik

Add marbles to the bottom of a vase to keep your daisies in the drink and make arranging, well, child’s play.

22 of 101

Paper Doily as a Cake Decoration

James Wojcik

You baked the cake. Now you’re expected to frost it, too? Take a break from the sticky stuff and use a doily to stencil on a pretty sugar topping. Press a doily flat on top of a round cake and, using a fine-mesh sieve, sprinkle confectioners’ sugar liberally over the surface. Use two hands to carefully remove the doily post-dusting.

23 of 101

Tutu as Nightstand Decoration

Mark Lund

Create an enchanting nightstand from a kitchen stool by wrapping a tutu around the edge of the seat and securing it with double-sided tape.

24 of 101

Picture Frame as Dry-Erase Board

James Wojcik

Let’s see—you need milk, eggs…and something to replace the stark white memo board that’s sucking all the style from your otherwise charming kitchen. Frame a pretty piece of fabric or paper, then write temporary to-dos on the glass with a dry-erase marker.

25 of 101

Aluminum Foil as Fixture Protector

Foil-covered doorknob protected against paint

Quentin Bacon

Protect doorknobs and hardware in the kitchen and bathroom when you're painting by wrapping foil around them to catch dribbles. The foil molds to the shape of whatever it's covering and stays firmly in place until the job is complete.

26 of 101

Apple Container as Ornament Storage

Ornaments stored in plastic apple containers

John Lawton

Store delicate tree decor where the fruit once went to protect items from bumps and bruises. (You can also use wine boxes or egg cartons.)

27 of 101

Birdbath as a Planter

Beatriz Da Costa

Try this pretty display that isn’t just for the birds. Plant shallow-rooted succulents in the birdbath with soil. The lack of drainage will keep the soil moist, so you’ll need to water even less frequently than usual.

28 of 101

Brooches as Refrigerator Decoration

Kana Okada

Instead of tossing out seldom worn or broken brooches, remove the pins with a wire cutter, glue a magnet to the back of each, then use them to mount postcards, children’s artwork, or this week’s grocery list.

29 of 101

Bucket as Side Table

Yunhee Kim

For more serving space (without begging and borrowing from the neighbors) top a bucket with a tray for an instant side table for your lawn chairs. Your guests will have more spots to rest their cocktails.

30 of 101

Cake Stand as Candle Holder

James Merrell

Create a candle centerpiece to light up your wedding (or you dinner table) by using cake stands as platforms for votive and pillar candles in assorted sizes.

31 of 101

Champagne Flutes as Candle Stands

Monica Buck

If you find yourself with a mismatched collection―or without bubbly―flip thick-walled Champagne flutes upside down to create a beautiful grouping of candle stands for a shelf or a mantel. Use heavy wineglasses for table centerpieces, as the wider mouths will provide more stability to withstand bumping.

32 of 101

Coat Rack as Art and Photo Display

Kate Sears

Display a collection of photos, treasured items, or seasonal ornaments over the mantel or in a hallway. Use ribbons or strings of different lengths to hang the arrangement from the pegs.

33 of 101

Cookie Cutter as Candle Stencil

Lucas Allen

Repurpose mini alphabet cookie cutters as monogramming tools for pillar candles. Hold the candle steady, position the letter, and tap it lightly with a hammer. Do just an initial or go wild and spell out JOYEUX NOEL or HAPPY HANUKKAH.

34 of 101

Cotton Ball as Flower Plug

John Lawton

Help hollow-stemmed blooms, like daffodils, delphiniums, and amaryllis, soak up water and stay hydrated longer with this fresh idea: Cut the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle, turn the stem upside down, fill it with water, and stuff it with a piece of cotton.

35 of 101

Cupcake Liners as Light Embellishments

Lucas Allen

For a string of minilights that takes the (cup)cake, poke the pointy bulbs through foil cupcake liners. Use them for the tree or around your little girl’s bedroom mirror to make her feel like a holiday star.

36 of 101

Flower Frog as Photo Display

Anna Williams

After you’ve thrown out the bouquet, just wash and dry the frog and insert your favorite snapshots.

37 of 101

Picture Frame as Vanity Tray

Sang An

A fresh perspective changes everything. Here, a gilt frame, laid flat, creates a romantic setting for perfumes and powders. Place a piece of colored paper or fabric inside as a finishing touch.

38 of 101

Picture Frame as Key Holder

Sang An

Framed hooks will keep keys organized―and looking decorative. Eliminate the glass and paint the backing or cover it with fabric or paper. Then attach the key hooks using an extra-strong glue.

39 of 101

Picture Frame as Refrigerator Art

Refrigerator covered with picture frames

Sang An

Your icebox images will pop once they’re no longer buried under lists and bills. Give them an edge by gluing magnet strips to the backs of small frames, elevating snapshots and postcards to art.

40 of 101

Picture Frame as an Earring Organizer

Sang An

Showcase your gold hoops, pearl drops, and chandeliers with this clever caddy. Here's how to make it:

Step 1: Gather a wooden frame (without the backing and the glass), piano wire, small eyelet hooks (two for each wire), pliers, and a ruler.
Step 2: Mark where you want each wire to hang. Screw in the eyelet hooks. Using the pliers, pull the wire taut and twist it around the hooks.
Step 3: Hang your earrings from the wires. Either mount the display on a wall or place it on a dresser.

41 of 101

Garden Hose Holder as Holiday Light Organizer

Beatriz da Costa

Coil strings of holiday lights round and round for knot-free hall decking. Your reward: You won’t blow a fuse trying to hang next year’s light show.

42 of 101

Glow-in-the-Dark Stars as Nightlights

Aimee Herring

Create a well-lit path he can follow from his room to the bathroom. Line up stars near the baseboard and make sure they get plenty of light during the day. You'll get fewer bumps (or cries for Mom) in the night.

43 of 101

Hair Elastic as Bouquet Holder

Gemma Comas and James Merrell

To keep all types of flowers in place in a wide-mouth vase, stretch a clear hair elastic around the stems, then let the flowers fall naturally. Your beautiful blooms will be styled in a snap.

44 of 101

Holiday Lights as Wreath

Francesco Lagnese

Ring in the season with a brilliant mantelpiece. Start with a wire wreath frame (this one is 18 inches in diameter, but you can use any size). Then wrap a string of lights around the frame, making sure to leave enough slack to reach the plug; otherwise use an extension cord.

45 of 101

Beach Towel as Shower Curtain

David Prince

Make a summery shower curtain by hanging two boldly patterned towels using clip-on drapery rings.

46 of 101

Berry Basket as Bathroom Storage

Account

More

Double-Duty Decorating Ideas

1 of 101

Clothespin as Napkin Holder

2 of 101

Tinsel as Wreath Garland

3 of 101

Cake Stand as Soap Dish

4 of 101

Baby Oil as Paint Remover

5 of 101

Tinsel as Ornament Filler

6 of 101

Candlestick as Bud Vase

7 of 101

Cupcake Liners as Candleholders

8 of 101

Toothbrush Holder as Vase

9 of 101

Ice Scraper as Decorating Tool

10 of 101

Aluminum Foil as Party Garland

11 of 101

Dental Floss as Picture Hanger

12 of 101

Beans as Candle Anchor

13 of 101

Gravy Boat as Unique Soap Dish

14 of 101

Cupcake Liner as Decorative Snowflakes

15 of 101

Luggage Tag as Decorating Aid

16 of 101

Votive Candle Holders as Place Cards

17 of 101

Cupcake Liner as Halloween Decoration

18 of 101

Dental Floss as DIY Popcorn Garland

19 of 101

Cake Stand as Display Stand

20 of 101

Baby Food Jar as Paint Bucket

21 of 101

Marbles as a Playful Arrangement

22 of 101

Paper Doily as a Cake Decoration

23 of 101

Tutu as Nightstand Decoration

24 of 101

Picture Frame as Dry-Erase Board

25 of 101

Aluminum Foil as Fixture Protector

26 of 101

Apple Container as Ornament Storage

27 of 101

Birdbath as a Planter

28 of 101

Brooches as Refrigerator Decoration

29 of 101

Bucket as Side Table

30 of 101

Cake Stand as Candle Holder

31 of 101

Champagne Flutes as Candle Stands

32 of 101

Coat Rack as Art and Photo Display

33 of 101

Cookie Cutter as Candle Stencil

34 of 101

Cotton Ball as Flower Plug

35 of 101

Cupcake Liners as Light Embellishments

36 of 101

Flower Frog as Photo Display

37 of 101

Picture Frame as Vanity Tray

38 of 101

Picture Frame as Key Holder

39 of 101