New Uses For Lots of Old Things

Put Items You Own To Work in New Ways

Want to avoid buying more stuff that languishes in a drawer never getting used? Ready to put items you already own to use in new and different ways? Try one of these ideas to get inspired to look at your household items in new ways.

Water Bottle Toy Storage: Repurpose one or more from your collection to corral small toys. You’ll make space in the kitchen cabinets and prevent tiny toys from becoming little land mines that hurt when you step on them. And these containers fit perfectly into backpacks and bags for transporting toys on the go.

Lunch Box Toy Storage: Keep smaller pieces out of reach of younger siblings. Use lunch boxes to pack tiny toys away. The boxes make play time interesting, and help kids participate in keeping the house tidy.

Crib Mattress: That old crib mattress can make the perfect spot for your child to nest. Once your child graduates from the crib, the mattress provides extra sleeping space for guests. Or use it to designate a reading nook or quiet place for your child.

Aquariums: Old aquariums can be put to good use. Keep a backup handy for the next time your pet needs a cage cleaning or transport for care. Or put them to use as decor with artful arrangements of natural elements. Aquariums also make great homes for plants, too.

Food Storage Containers: These containers from IKEA cost next to nothing and come in a set with a variety of sizes. They offer lots of organization and storage well beyond the kitchen. From hair accessories in bathroom drawers to keeping toys corralled throughout the house, these containers have lots of possibilities.