Repurposing 101

Published October 13, 2016

There are many ways to reuse old household items, giving them renewed, useful purpose around the home.

Even the most common household items can do double duty with a little creativity.

Here are a few ideas that will make you see common household items in an entirely new light.

Picture frame Dry Erase Board

I love this idea. I have one in my pantry and office. A simple, inexpensive frame can be glammed up and made into something organized and pretty for your everyday tasks. A five- by seven- or eight- by 10-inch frame can be used for this idea. Cut a piece of decorative craft paper or fabric to fit the frame. Replace the glass plate and you are now able to jot down reminders and notes with a dry-erase marker.

Unorganized Key Chain

If you find yourself constantly frustrated trying to find the right key at the right time, coat a little nail polish on the large end of a key in a colour-coated manner. This makes grabbing the right one at the right time much easier.

Repurposed Salad Spinner

Don’t throw away that old salad spinner. Use it as a sweater and fine linen spinner for delicate, hand washable items. The spinner’s centrifugal force whisks water away and will speed up the drying process. You don’t have to wait hours for items to lay flat and dry.

Upcycled Mason Jars

I am always amazed at the hundreds of uses mason jars provide. One of my favourite ideas for these jars is to use them to store household items.

Store bathroom items such as Q-tips, cotton balls and hand soaps in mason jars fitted with pretty crystal knobs. Paint the jar lids with white acrylic paint and add a complementary knob to finish it off.

Another idea for these jars is to paint one or two with chalk paint and use them as pencil and ruler holders on your desk.

They also make fantastic sewing kits. Simply remove the centre plate off the lid and add cotton filler wrapped in fabric. With a glue gun, glue the plate edges onto the rim and let dry. Place your sewing notions inside the mason jar and pins inserted into the top cushion.

Recycle Old Baby Food Jars

Did you know that those cute, little glass baby food jars make fantastic spice containers? Clean the jars and lids and let them dry. Purchase your favourite spices in bulk next time you are out shopping and fill each jar. Apply chalkboard paint to the lids and label each lid according to the spice inside. This idea makes a great hostess gift.

Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home decor, entertaining and floral design. She also runs Blu Dog Staging & Redesign. bludogstagingandredesign.com