Turn your everyday items into useful or decorations with these second-hand DIY ideas. Reuse what you own for a unique home or garden.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out all the weird items that aren’t used.
10 craft reuse project ideas
One of the most frustrating things about the creative makers of things today is how much we have vortexed from the idea of getting through what we have. Yes, it was done mostly as needed in the past, but then it became romantic, but I still long for creativity at no major cost. I always dream of how to make beautiful or useful things without heading to the big box store first.
As a small act of rebellion, I like to challenge myself to use what I already have. And if you’re like me, it’s not difficult when you quietly build a mini craft supplies store in your home under the completely reasonable excuse that “someday you might need it.”
Working within these limits (no purchase or low budget) has an additional bonus that requires greater ingenuity. Take away your permission to purchase all the best or most useful supplies and you’ll see new and original ideas. I’m not saying it should be zero spending, but it’s too easy to get caught up in pleasant shopping endorphins rather than really diving into the joy of making things.
The projects shown here may not even be feasible with what you have, but we hope they will inspire you to dig into your own stash and dream of new ways to express your creativity.
1Suitcase → Fairy Garden
How to make a fairy garden with an old suitcase
In addition to the fact that these are fun to make, I also saw how portable it is (perfect for patios and porches and have applications from rain damage, but for maximum enjoyment.
2Softball and Nails → Garden Art Allium
How to make a giant garden art allium
The idea began when I saw a bunch of old nails (the kind that loads into an automatic dispenser) in a thrift store as if nothing was done.
Older softballs have become the perfect solution for holding your nails.
In general, older sports balls produce a lot of waste. This isn’t to say that it solves the world’s problems, but making these garden buggies from old golf balls was fun too.
Can you imagine how many unnecessary (for example) golf balls on this planet?
3Drawer pull → hose guard
How to make a hose guard to protect your plants
If you have problems with water hoses or electrical cords (such as lawn mowers), dragging plants will save your hose guard the day.
I used the rest of the copper pipes so you can see how long ago I made these (pictured above).
But the idea is still good. Any type of pipe you choose.
4Water bottle → Bird feeder
How to make a water bottle bird feeder
You wouldn’t be surprised to hear that there are more empty water bottles on Earth than birds! I don’t know about real statistics, but I don’t dispute that billions of water bottles are discarded every day.
Here I challenged myself to create a bird feeder that birds enjoy. This was popular with Goldfinches.
5Wooden bowl → gnome toad
How to make garden art toads
I became the guardian of this goofy little garden gnome during a wind storm. I was walking my daughter home from school and he literally blew her over to me. We weren’t near the house or the garden so I took it as a sign that he should be mine.
The toad is made from salad bowls and branch cuttings, and Gnome appreciates a prominent place from the rain.
6Rubber boots → funny dog
How to make a rubber boot dog
I saw an artist named David Kemp doing this and had to give it a try. Rubber boot dog! What a fun reuse for old leaky rubber boots.
7Stove element → Modern daisy
DIY Upcycle Garden Art Flower (Daisy)
If you like a modern touch, this is for you. Inspired by the boxes (and boxes) of old electric stove elements, the old shop has become a daisy of some garden art.
8Lamp glove → Prince of Frog
How to Make a Prince of Frog (Garden Art DIY)
He’s attractive, isn’t he? Ok, not part of us, but it was a fun project and this went to a happy garden art collector.
9Sweater → Pet bed
How to make a pet bed from an old sweater (cat, bunny, small dog)
Honey, we shrunk our sweater. So we turned it into a bed for the bunny. A low-cost way to create a spare pet bed. If your cat, dog, or bunny really likes one of your sweaters, if it wears out, donate it to a good reason!
It’s not specifically a garden project, but it’s perfect for pets who like to rest nearby while spending their time outdoors.
~Melissa Empress of the Defiled
