100 Ways to Repurpose and Reuse Broken Household Items

Turn A Broken Picture Frame Into An Earring Holder

When you break (or your kids or pets break) the glass out of a picture frame, don't throw away the base. Instead, use it to create a gorgeous and very functional earring display. You'll need some sort of wire (picture wire works really well) to hang your earrings on. Just run the wire across the frame and then hang up your earrings. This is a great gift idea for girls of all ages and you can run as much wire, making as many levels, as you want. If you have longer earrings that dangle, make longer levels.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Kevinandamanda

Create a Play Kitchen from a Broken Entertainment Center

Instead of hauling that old entertainment center off to the dump, take a couple of hours and turn it into an adorable play kitchen for your little girl. The center doesn't have to be in perfect condition as you can reinforce anything that needs it and it won't really be expected to hold much weight, anyway. Just a little paint and imagination are really all you need to turn that old eyesore into something that any little girl will get hours of pleasure from. Plus, it's a great place to store all those play cooking toys.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Diynetwork

Create a Recycling Center with an Old Basket

If you have a rather large basket that seems to be coming apart at the seams, you can repurpose that basket into a great recycling center. The basket doesn't really need to be able to hold anything so holes in the bottom are perfectly fine. You simply place waste baskets inside the wicker basket for your recycling and then label the sections so you know where everything goes. Not only does this help you to put that torn up basket to good use, it gives you a really attractive place to store your recyclables.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Bhg

Create New Summer Flip-Flops from Old Ones

Instead of throwing out those flip-flops when the straps come loose and you can't keep them together, consider creating all new shoes from them instead. With just a bit of fabric, you can make these adorable braided flip-flops that are perfect for summer and will allow you to keep those old shoes even when they look like they are ready for the trash bin. You can even make the braided straps from old t-shirts or other clothing that has holes and needs to be thrown out, so this one is a double score.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Makeit-loveit

Turn Baby Lotion Bottles Into Cell Phone Charging Stations

Baby lotion bottles tend to wind up in the trash when they are empty. After all, what could you possibly do with those empty bottles? You can create a really handy cell phone charging station that keeps your cords from being out in the open. With just a bit of fabric, some cutting and a little time, you can make this really handy cell phone charging station that holds your phone and the cord right up next to the plug-in so you save space and your cord is not lying on the floor (which incidentally is a bad place for it if you have pets).

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Makeit-loveit

Make Light Fixtures from Old Wire Baskets

Instead of sending those old wire baskets off to the dump, even when they are completely worn out, turn them into really attractive light fixtures. Even if the baskets have wires that have come loose or have holes in the bottom, you can use them to create the Anthropologie inspired light fixtures that will look great in the kitchen. You just have to prepare the basket and then connect to your pendant light. You can paint it to match your kitchen décor beforehand if you want or just leave it as it is.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Ashleyannphotography

Use Broken Pots As Garden Markers

If you have terra cotta pots that are a bit worse for wear, you don't have to throw them out. You can use them to make gorgeous garden markers. This even works if you only have one pot that's broken. Just take a few pieces and write the names of your flowers, herbs or veggies with magic marker so that it won't come off or you could be really creative and paint the names on (you can create a bit of artwork on them as well). If you have several old pots that are not fit for planting, use them to label everything in your garden.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Hardlyhousewives

Turn an Old Dresser into a Cozy Bench

I love everything about this furniture makeover project! The instructions are simple and if you can manage to get one of these old dressers for cheap this is a must do project!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Grillo Designs

Turn Broken Terra Cotta Into Pumpkins

Those old broken terra cotta planters can be used to create beautiful pumpkins. You can actually do this with any number of ceramics so if you have plates or saucers that are broken, use them as well. You just have to make small pieces and then put together a mosaic-like look on a foam ball. This is also a great project for Christmas only you can use holiday colors to create ornaments. They are really easy to make and it beats just throwing those broken planters and plates in the trash.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Craftsncoffee

Create Art with Cracked Plates

Instead of instantly throwing out those cracked plates, why not turn them into art that you can display on your kitchen or dining room wall? This is a great project for plates that are actually broken into two or more pieces. You probably won't want to glue them back together if they're shattered but if you have just a few larger pieces, you can just glue them together in this manner and use them to decorate your walls. It's a really great project for older dishes that you just can't get rid of even when they are broken.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Homelife

Make a Birdbath with Cracked Planters and Plates

Use those cracked terra cotta planters and those broken or cracked plates to create a beautiful birdbath for your garden. You can use planters of different sizes so if you have several that are damaged, this is a great way to repurpose them. You just have to paint them (if you want) to make them a bit unique and then assemble. You will love putting those cracked plates and planters to better use and the birds will love you for it as well.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Patriciaspots

Make a Reusable Bag from Broken Umbrellas

When the metal in an umbrella breaks, it is normally time for the trashcan. Now however, you can use the fabric from that umbrella to create these really neat foldable reusable bags. There is a bit of sewing involved but overall, it is really easy to create these little bags and they fold up into a roll so you can tote them with you wherever you are going. These are great for impromptu shopping trips when you need a reusable bag to carry things home. They're so small that you can keep one in your purse and never know it's there.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Untrendylife

Make Beads from Broken Bottles

You would probably throw out a broken bottle normally. You don't have to, though. You can use this method instead to create beautiful glass beads from that bottle. You can then use the beads to make any number of other crafts from jewelry to wind chimes or just whatever you want. Please note that this can be a dangerous craft so you should always exercise precaution and protect your eyes from glass shards. If you can get the hang of it though, there is no limit to what you could create from those old bottles.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Instructables

Make Two Desks from a Broken Table

If you have a kitchen table that is scratched, broken or otherwise damaged or one that you just don't really need any longer, don't throw it out. Instead, use it to create two adorable wall desks that are sure to be a hit at your home. You don't really need the very center of the table so this is a great project for tables that are really damaged in the middle. You simply cut the end sections off, paint or stain them and then affix them to the wall.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Migonishome

Make Tea Lights from Bottle Caps

Ok, so bottle caps aren't really broken when you throw them out but they can certainly be repurposed anyway. You can use them to create adorable tealight candles which are perfect for when you need a lot of candles (think weddings or other larger events). You just have to clean the bottle caps, add a wick and then pour in some wax. The wax actually comes from melted crayons so this is a double score. You get to keep those bottle caps out of the dump and you have something that you can do with those old broken crayons.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Austinweddingblog

Make New Crayons from Broken Ones

Instead of tossing those broken crayons, make new rainbow crayons from them. This is such a simple project and the kids are going to absolutely adore these rainbow crayons. You need a few tin cans, empty prescription bottles or those little plastic canisters that film comes in and a few broken crayons. You basically melt the crayons in the tin cans (make sure to thoroughly clean them first) and then pour into the bottles until they set. The crayons are the perfect size and you can do them in as many colors as you want – depending on how many broken crayons you have.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Momtastic

Use Broken Plates for Ground Cover

While you certainly won't want broken plates in your actual yard, you can use them in place of mulch to give certain areas a bit of color. Instead of filling in around your trees with mulch or pebbles for instance, use those broken plates or terra cotta pots. You can do them in all one color to make it look really elegant or mix it up for a look that is more fun and exciting. It's a lot cheaper than mulch and pea gravel and will give you a really unique look in your garden areas.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Apartmenttherapy

Use Broken Plates as Garden Edging

You can use broken plates and saucers as edging for around garden areas and trees. If you have some old china that you just really can't bring yourself to part with, use those plates to create a beautiful border for garden areas. Plates that are cracked or chipped can be broken in half (carefully of course) and then the halves simply stuck into the ground. You can use the same colors or mix it up a bit. This helps you to take care of those plates and gives you a really inexpensive yet beautiful edging for your favorite outdoor spaces.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Wondermom

Turn an Old Book Into an Art Book

If you have old books (you know, the ones with half the pages missing) you don't have to throw them out. You can actually use old hardcover books to create a really neat and really functional art book that holds all of your child's art supplies. These are great for traveling because they take up little room plus they have a very nifty little handle for easy carrying. You need a bit of fabric to make holders for pencils or crayons and then the handle and of course, the art supplies.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Cosmocricket

Turn Broken Crayons into Cool Push-Ups

Push-up crayons are a bit expensive and buying multiple colors may simply not be in your budget. What better way to get rid of those old broken crayons than by making your own crayon push-ups? You can also do away with those empty glue stick containers at the same time. You just have to clean the glue sticks and then pour melted crayon into them. Kids can then roll the crayons up and down as needed. This is a great project to let the kids help you with since it's really easy and not at all messy.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Infarrantlycreative

Turn Broken Ceramics Into Designer Planters

You can use broken plates, saucers, teacups or just about anything similar to create beautiful designer planters. You just use a mosaic method to attach the broken pieces to a terra cotta planter with strong glue or mod podge. This is a great way to show off your creativity by making designs and patterns or just put it on there however you want. Your planters will be unique and beautiful and you won't have to send those old broken dishes off to the dump.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Allfreecrafts