Have leftover wrapping paper or want to repurpose wrapping paper from gifts you’ve received? Read on to discover some smart ideas for repurposing wrapping paper.

According to Use Less Stuff (ULS), the amount of additional American household waste during the holidays between Thanksgiving and Christmas totals up to 25 million tons of garbage. Do your part to help reduce waste ending up in the landfill by breaking the cycle of single-use gift wrap with these ideas for repurposing wrapping paper. Of course, you can also choose to wrap gifts using eco-friendly alternatives.

Ideas for Repurposing Holiday Wrapping Paper

1. Decoupage

I recently came across whole rolls of wrapping paper in the attic that had actually been my grandmother’s. It was at least 20-years-old. It wasn’t in the greatest shape for using as gift wrap but included some really cool prints and patterns–especially a very pretty plaid print. One ide for old rolled paper is to use it to breathe new life into older furniture pieces with decoupage. That paper would great on a couple of end tables I have that have seen better days!

2. Holiday Cards

Turn wrapping paper scraps and leftover bits into holiday cards for next year’s holidays. Getting a holiday card in the mail is great, but getting a homemade card is even better.

3. Advent Calendar

Get super creative and use leftover gift wrap to make an advent calendar for next year. One idea is to create an advent calendar of mini wrapped gifts with a little surprise inside for each day of the month, but really the possibilities are endless.

4. Packaging

Used gift wrap and scraps are perfect for repurposing as packaging for mailed packages or in which to wrap delicate holiday ornaments before storing them away for next year.

5. Office Organizing

One year, I used gift wrap to decorate coffee cans from Trader Joe’s as used them as handy containers in my office. They are still in use and hold my colored Sharpie pens, zigzag scissors, and more.

6. Mood/Todo/Organizer Board

Make a DIY mood board. Cover plywood, luan board, or even cardboard with gift wrap and wrap it with ribbon for a practical and creative way to repurpose gift wrap.

7. DIY Holiday Placemats

Repurpose sheets of gift wrap and make some holiday-themed placemats. Simply layer wrapping paper between clear contact paper for the perfect combination of form and function.

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Reuse and recycle some of the most commonly thrown out items with these repurposing ideas for around your home.

You know the old saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, but it’s never truer than when referring to repurposing items destined for the landfill or recycling center into practical, functional or decorative objects. No matter what it is being thrown out–whether it’s an old bathtub used as a flower bed or old clothing turned into a patchwork quilt–there are repurposing ideas for all of them.

So, what are some of the most commonly thrown out items and clever repurposing ideas for each of them?

Repurposing Ideas

1. Glass Bottles – Whether it’s beer bottles or vinegar bottles, we all end up with lots of glass bottles in the recycling bin. Repurpose them into drinking glasses, vases and more.
2. Wine Cork Repurposing Ideas – Regular wine drinkers end up with a lot of corks, but what to do with them? They can be repurposed into coasters, cool wall art, planters and more.
3. Repurposing Ideas for Cans – Even if you are trying to reduce the amount of food you purchase in aluminum cans, you still seem to end up with them anyway. Turn those cans into planters, vases, utensil holders, candle holders, garden lights and more.
4. Cardboard Tube Projects – You may have sworn off using paper towels, but toilet paper and those leftover cardboard tubes are a part of our lives. They are actually quite useful and can be made into all kinds of cool decorative art projects from wall art to cardboard flowers. They also make useful cord storage holders.
5. Cardboard Boxes – We all know you can give a kid or a cat a cardboard box and they will be content for days, but there are some really fun ways to repurpose cardboard boxes–like a cardboard guitar, a kitty house, a ball maze and more.
6. Recycled Paper Projects – Whether old magazines, junk mail, wrapping paper, old work or school reports we all have so much paper that needs recycled. Repurposing ideas include making your own envelopes, garlands, cake toppers, coasters and door wreaths.
7. Egg Carton Ideas – Turn those egg cartons into biodegradable seed planters, flower lights, DIY fire starters and more.
8. Plastic Dishwasher Tab Container – If you use a dishwasher and use those dishwasher tabs, turn the plastic dishwasher tab container into a trash receptacle for your car.

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Turn those sweaters you’ve been meaning to drop off at the fabric recycling bin into functional and fashionable items using these repurposing ideas.

We’ve all felt that sinking feeling when something happens to make our most comfiest of sweaters unwearable. Whether its a hole developing in a super noticeable spot (I am not above mending a hole in the armpit) or whether its a stain that didn’t come out from that super stain-y yellow curry (true story), the fact of the matter is that stuff happens. Comfy sweaters are unfortunately an ephemeral  phenomenon, and every good thing must come to an end. Don’t despair though, your sweater can live on. All it takes is a little inspiration, creativity and some clever repurposing ideas to transform your favorite sweater into a useful upcycled diy project.

From hot water bottle covers to arm warmers and everything else in between, here some ingenious repurposing ideas for reusing your favorite (or not so favorite) sweaters.

9 Repurposing Ideas for Old Sweaters

1. Sweater Patchwork Blanket – Cuddle up under a super warm and cozy blanket you make from repurposed sweaters. Collect sweaters from the thrift store or ask family and friends for contributions.
2. Hot Water Bottle Cover – Whether you hurt your back or need to warm up the bed sheets, a hot water bottle is a useful thing. Add a cover using made from and old sweater to make it more presentable.
3. Cool Bangle Bag – Turn a frumpy sweater into a chic bag using this easy project.
4. DIY Sweater Pillows – Who doesn’t need a few more cozy pillows on the sofa? Make some up from those older sweaters.
5. Sweater Mittens – You won’t have to mourn the loss of your favorite sweater, instead you can turn them into your favorite mittens.
6. Boot Cuffs – Boot cuffs are a great way to add some texture and color without adding bulk by actually wearing bulky socks.
7. Asymmetrical Sweater Wrap – Turning a sweater into a fashionable wrap is a super clever repurposing idea.
8. Arm Warmers – Turn sweater arms into practical arm warmers.
9. Lampshade Redo – Add some texture and color to a boring lampshade with this project idea.

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Looking to update your kitchen decor or add some organizational touches, then consider do-it-yourself repurposing ideas and projects.

Repurposing is a great way to reuse items destined for the landfill or recycling bin. You can also repurpose thrift store, estate sale or yard sale finds for way less money than purchasing new. That’s not to mention that repurposing can keep you out of that cycle of conspicuous consumption, which is a way better choice for the planet. DIY repurposing is also one way to get truly one-of-a-kind decor  for kitchen to wow your guests and to increase your kitchen functionality.

Whether reusing items from the kitchen or creating repurposing projects for the kitchen, inspiration is always the first step. Here are some great repurposing ideas to get you started.

9 Kitchen Repurposing Ideas for the Kitchen

1. Shutter Plate Rack – Need more storage space for your dishes? Try turning an old shutter into a plate shelving rack.
2. Dresser Island – Always wanted a kitchen island? You can make your own from repurposing an old dresser.
3. Muffin Magazine Rack – Repurpose an outdated magazine rack into useful muffin and baking sheet storage.
4. Ladder Pot Rack – Either hang or lean an older ladder as a pot rack.
5. Painted Coffee Cans – Simply paint coffee cans and use them for everything from utensil holders to vases.
6. Test Tube Spice Storage – For all you scientist out there, repurpose those test tubes into something a little spicy.
7. Food Pantry Armoire – Need more food pantry storage? Transform an armoire needing a little love into a practical food storage cabinet.
8. Highchair Cookbook Storage – Need some handy storage for all your cookbooks? Repurpose an unused highchair into a bookshelf.
9. Teacup Lights – Create pretty teacup lights with vintage teacups and light bulb bases and cords. Some handiness required.
10. Tea Tin Herb Garden – Give your tea tins a new life as pretty herb garden containers.
11. Tiered Fruit Stand – Give new life to old aluminum thrift store colanders and cake pans as a tiered kitchen stands.

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If you’re looking for apartment decorating ideas that will inject more personality into your space, why not give kitsch a try?

There are two types of people in the world: Those who are kitsch-obsessed, and those who… well, aren’t. Kitsch is thought to be cheap, tacky, and over-the-top, which can be true – if you use it wrong. Done wrong, your home will look like a carnival. But done right, it’s the perfect way to add character and whimsy at a super-reasonable price.

If you want to kitsch and tell, go for it! It’s very “Gilmore Girls” (Remember Lorelai’s fuzzy alarm clock? Those were the days.) Here are apartment decorating ideas to keep in mind before you take the plunge:

Keep collections together
This is true of all apartment decorating ideas, whether you use kitsch or not: Collections always look best in clusters, as opposed to being scattered throughout your home. And if they’re a collection of complementary colors, even better.

Display in unlikely places
Use kitsch as a hint of surprise in each room. For example, use kitschy items as bookends, or retro bowls instead of planters. A friend of mine used a roll of ticket stubs as a pedestal for one of her plants, and it looked ah-mazing.

Mix old with new
Also, use kitsch from different eras so it doesn’t look like you’ve stepped into a time machine.

Make sure it suits your personality
Don’t buy kitsch for the sake of it – only buy kitschy items that really suit your personality. For example, when brainstorming apartment decorating ideas for my own, I decided against vintage advertisements. As much as I love them, they don’t suit my personality. Vintage movie posters on the other hand – bam, perfection.

If you’re looking for inspiration, here are 13 pieces of kitsch that will never get old (at least, I hope not):

1. Hello Kitty
You’re never too old for Hello Kitty.

2. Dogs Playing Poker
The first thing that goes into every man cave.

3. Kit-Cat Clocks
They’re so ugly they’re adorable. According to their official website, someone has bought a Kit-Cat clock every three minutes for the last 50 years!

4. Pink Flamingos
But just one.

5. Vintage Advertisements
The more ridiculous the advertisement, the better.

6. Typewriters
Nothing tugs at a writer’s heartstrings more, am I right?

7. Fuzzy Dice
They’re practically a rite of passage when you get your license.

8. Lava Lamps
I know, I know, but I just can’t help myself.

9. Polaroids
I don’t care how fancy schmancy cameras become – nothing beats a retro Polaroid pic.

10. Coffee Mugs
It’s crazy, but true: Your entire personality can be defined by your favorite coffee mug.

11. Telephones
Could you imagine the week it would take to call someone using a rotary dial? Sigh.

12. Perfume Bottles
Use the atomizer to feel like a 1950s starlet. And don’t forget the tassels! There must be tassels.

13. Tin Signs
These are basically the only way you’ll get your guy to board the kitsch train.

Do you love kitsch? What apartment decorating ideas would you recommend to newbies?

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Ever wondered what to do with all those old tee shirts? Here are some clever repurposing ideas for recycling those old tees.

It’s that time of year again–the season of the tee shirt. Whether from music festivals, employee softball leagues, charity runs or vacation jaunts, you will add new tee shirts to your wardrobe this spring and summer. We’re not saying there’s anything wrong that–tee shirts are excellent for sleeping in, make great art smocks for kids and are great for doing yard work in–but the question is always, what to do with the old ones? There’s really only so much room in the dresser drawers for the latest additions, so that means getting rid of the old ones.

But before you take those old tee shirts to the thrift shop, consider reusing them. Tee shirts can easily be recycled into fun and functional items from rags to jewelry. The Internet is awash in as all kinds of repurposing ideas for tee shirts and we’ve compiled a round up of some of our favorites.

10 Repurposing Ideas Old Tee Shirts

1. Reusable Bags – Turn old tee shirts into useful produce and market bags. With some scissors and a little sewing, you can add to your collection of reusable bags.
2. Braided Infinity Scarf – Here’s a very detailed tutorial for turning old tees into a chic infinity scarf.
3. Crocheted Rag Rug – Turn old tee shirts into yarn and crochet into a practical rug.
4. Tee Shirt Memory Quilt – A great way to keep old shirts that hold special meaning, but are too ratty to wear is to make them into a memory quilt.
5. More Market Bags – Another super easy tutorial for making reusable bags.
6. Sock It to Me – You can even reuse those old shirts to make super soft and comfy socks.
7. Repurposed Tee Shirt Jewelry – Brit+Co shares 15 different ideas for making exquisite jewelry designs from old shirts.
8. Pillows – Turn your favorite tee into a pillow to keep long after it’s suitable to wear.
9. Washcloths – Use tee shirts to make handy dandy braided washcloths and clean up rags.
10. Convertible Shrug – Make a chic shrug from an oversized tee shirt to cover your bare shoulders.

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