Amazing "Upcycling" Ideas For Junk In Your House

If you rummage around in the back of your closet you're sure to find some t-shirts that you don't wear anymore. Instead of leaving them there, take them out and get creative with it. Using the materials from the t-shirts cut into strips, it's possible to crochet a multicolored rug that will add a funky bohemian edge to any room it's put in, or it could even be used as a bath mat.

This upcycling idea involves such little effort you'll be shocked that you never thought of it before. All you need is some old Tic Tac boxes and, instead of throwing them away, you can use them as storage containers. One idea is to use them as spice pots, and you can make labels that tell you which spice is inside which container. This idea is as perfect as it is easy, quick, and fun to make!

Another simple and creative idea, this one involves an old egg box carton. Rather than throwing it away, get out your paints and paint the box your favorite color. Then, once you've baked your mini-cupcakes you can slot them in each of the holes where the eggs were, creating a cute and light holder for the sweet treats. The end result will be simply Instagramable!

Used paper cups are one of the biggest sources of waste. This cute trick will transform old single-use cups into a wonderful light decoration. This idea requires the thinner type of cup, painted with a thin layer of paint (you can choose different colors that go together for the different cups), then secure them over a standard fairy light string. Once the lights are on, the cups will act as little lanterns and you'll have a beautiful and unique DIY light display. 

So many of us have old CD and DVD storage units laying around the house that we don't use anymore. The rise of the digital age has meant that all our music and films are online leaving physical copies obsolete. Instead of throwing the old electronics away though, they can easily be upcycled into cute planters to grow flowers and plants in. Simply add a new layer of paint or your own design on the outside, turn the container so the holes are facing up, add some soil, and you're ready to grow. 

Our last idea is a handy trick for anyone who has trouble holding onto their keys. This involves taking old corks, and rather than just throwing them away, upcycling them into keychains. You'll just need a small metal ring and screw that you will insert into the cork on one end, and attach the key to on the other. The end result is a handy keychain that will float in water if it happens to be dropped there (very useful) and also won't get lost in your pocket because of the size. It's a win-win situation.