Real Simple
New Uses for Old Things
Storage New Uses for Old Things

Storage New Uses for Old Things

By Real Simple

Updated January 27, 2014

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Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

File organizer as dish dryer? Check out dozens of clever tricks.

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Pool Noodle as Blade Guard

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

To create a protective case for a saw, use the saw to shorten a pool noodle to the length of the blade, then slice a slit to the hollow core.

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Glass Vase as Belt Corraller

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

It's a cinch to keep belts organized and visible: Coil them into spirals and stack them on top of one another in a large clear vase. (Put favorite belts at the top for easy access.)

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Cereal Box as Photo Saver

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran. Photo in box: Renee Keith/Getty Images

Sending Grandpa a shot of the all-star soccer team but don't want the postal journey to bend it (like Beckham)? Sandwich the picture between the large panels of a flattened box.

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Candlestick as Bracelet Holder

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Bangles bulging out of your jewelry box? Slip them over a candlestick and let them accessorize your dresser.

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Gravy Boat as Unique Soap Dish

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

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

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Paper Plates as China Protectors

James Wojick

Prevent good china from chipping by layering paper plates between each piece of your formal dinnerware.

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Ashtray as Condiment Holder

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Fill that (clean!) old ashtray with soy sauce instead. The notches make a handy resting spot for chopsticks between bites of spicy tuna.

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Toilet Paper Tube as Wrapping Paper Holder

Photo, Erica McCartney; Styling, Kristine Trevino

Slide empty toilet paper tubes over wrapping paper to keep it from unraveling.

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Tic Tac Box as Spice Holder

Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Pack small amounts of your favorite spice (red pepper flakes, anyone?) in old Tic Tac boxes, to season food on-the-go.

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Hair Elastic as Tights Bundler

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Roll up pairs of stockings or leggings and wrap hair ties around them to keep the rolls from unraveling. It will be easier to find a specific pair on mornings when you're, well, tight on time.

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Colander as Toy Scoop

Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino

One of the most popular kitchen tools also happens to double as a clean-up aid. Before draining the tub, use a colander to make scooping up small toys fun and easy.

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Glasses Case as Makeup Organizer

Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino

With the cameras flashing and all eyes on you, there’s a lot of pressure to look your very best. Stash extra makeup—think lip gloss and concealer—in an empty glasses case and tuck in your purse for quick touch up’s throughout the day.

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Glass Jar as Arts and Crafts Organizer

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Kids can see inside the glass jars to find what they’re looking for, from crayons to pompoms. Leave off the lids for extra long supplies, like pipe cleaners or colored pencils.

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Hanger as Ribbon Organizer

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Turn a tangle of ribbons into a neat presentation. Hang coordinating colors over the prongs of a tie hanger.

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Party Hat as Candy Dish

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Use extra paper party hats to corral candy on a display table—or fill them with popcorn to hand out to kids.

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Colander as Knitting Assistant

Jamie Chung

To prevent balls of yarn from tangling, string the end of each through a colander hole.

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Gift Box as Sugar Holder

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

More lovely to look at than the branded box from the store, but it still slides easily into the pantry for storage.

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Suitcase as Toiletry Container

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Keep extra travel-sized toothpaste, shampoo, cotton balls and other personal items in an old suitcase. With a trunk full of toiletries, you'll never run out of necessities. Plus, you'll save valuable shelf space for the things you use every day.

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Locked Cosmetic Bag as Childproof Storage

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Put medications in a locked cosmetic case for an easy way to keep curious kids away from poking around the medicine cabinet.

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Belt Hanger as Kitchen Towel Hooks

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hook extra dish towels and pot holders on a belt hanger for easy retrieval.

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Confetti as Packing Material

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Don't ditch excess confetti or shredded paper. Use it to cushion breakable items so they arrive in one piece.

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Magazine Files as Kitchen Storage

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Corral boxes of waxed paper, aluminum foil and plastic wrap in a magazine file. Submitted by chels926

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Silverware Holder as Bathroom Drawer Organizer

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Use a utensil tray in your bathroom drawer to keep small items like tweezers, nail clippers, and makeup brushes organized. Submitted by: Margaret2580

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Sandpaper as Sole Scuffer

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Fall for new shoes, not in them. Rub medium-grit sandpaper over the bottoms to give slippery soles some traction.

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Wristband as Wine Protector

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Toting more than one bottle to a party? Slip a wristband over one to prevent banging or breaking.

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Hanging Wash Bag as Cord Storage

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Store chargers, power cords, and extra headphones in the clear pouches of a hanging jewelry organizer. You'll be able to find exactly what you're looking for and packing your tech is that much easier. Submitted by: jloper

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Collapsible Laundry Bins as Garbage Bins

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

During seasonal cleaning binges, soft-sided, handled laundry bins can double as trash cans. Submitted by: HookemSuz

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Metal Magazine Rack as Towel Holder

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Roll pool towels and store them vertically, so your kids can grab one before taking a swim.

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Sugar Dispenser as Kitchen Twine Holder

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Keep kitchen twine from tangling and jamming your drawers by using a glass sugar dispenser as a spool. Simply place the twine in the jar and thread through the open hole.

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Paper Clips as Wrapping Paper Holder

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Use paper clips to keep wrapping paper from unraveling.

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Luggage Tag as Decorating Aid

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

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

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Storage New Uses for Old Things

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Pool Noodle as Blade Guard

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Glass Vase as Belt Corraller

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Cereal Box as Photo Saver

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Candlestick as Bracelet Holder

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Gravy Boat as Unique Soap Dish

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Paper Plates as China Protectors

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Ashtray as Condiment Holder

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Toilet Paper Tube as Wrapping Paper Holder

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Tic Tac Box as Spice Holder

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Hair Elastic as Tights Bundler

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Colander as Toy Scoop

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Glasses Case as Makeup Organizer

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Glass Jar as Arts and Crafts Organizer

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Hanger as Ribbon Organizer

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Party Hat as Candy Dish

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Colander as Knitting Assistant

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Gift Box as Sugar Holder

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Suitcase as Toiletry Container

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Locked Cosmetic Bag as Childproof Storage

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Belt Hanger as Kitchen Towel Hooks

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Confetti as Packing Material

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Magazine Files as Kitchen Storage

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Silverware Holder as Bathroom Drawer Organizer

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Sandpaper as Sole Scuffer

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Wristband as Wine Protector

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Hanging Wash Bag as Cord Storage