Before you go buy those expensive new storage containers, check what you already have!
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Welcome to Your Home, But Better, Family Handyman’s ultimate guide to making every inch of your space work harder. We’ll show you how to maximize function and transform challenging areas—from awkward nooks to cluttered entryways—into the organized home of your dreams.
Most of us are constantly looking for ways to improve the storage and organization systems in our home. But buying new containers, closet systems, and shelving can be incredibly expensive. Before you open your wallet, take a look at what you already have. There are a surprising number of ways you can creatively transform everyday items into upcycled storage systems. We’ve gathered some of our favorite repurposed storage ideas to help get you started; so get ready to shop your own home, or the thrift store!
Benefits of Upcycling Storage
One of the main benefits of upcycled storage systems is the cost savings. “Upcycled storage helps you stay organized without spending lots of money. Instead of buying brand-new bins and baskets, you can repurpose what you already have,” says professional organizer Olivia Parks, “It’s also a great way to eliminate clutter by giving items a designated home rather than letting them sit in a cabinet or closet, where they might be forgotten.”
And just like all upcycling endeavors, implementing repurposed storage in your home helps keep items out of the landfill. “I love that it’s environmentally friendly, keeps things simple, and reduces waste,” says Parks.
Ladder Towel Rack
Use an old ladder to increase your bathroom storage. “I saved this old bunk bed ladder from the landfill, rescuing it from the side of the road,” says renovation and repurpose expert Sara McDaniel, “In addition, this ladder adds texture, depth and intrigue to an otherwise sterile bathroom. It also serves as excellent towel storage or drying solution.”
Drawer Organizer
Drawer dividers can help you take back control of your messy sock drawer, but instead of making a new purchase, try repurposing cardboard boxes. “I like to use old shoe boxes as drawer organizers,” says Parks, “They’re great for dividing socks, undergarments, and accessories in dressers.” Cover the boxes with plain fabric to give them a cohesive look and make the drawer look extra tidy.
Art Supply Storage
If you or your kids love to paint and craft, you know how hard it is to keep all those messy supplies organized. Save up your used coffee cans to keep everything in their place, for free! “I repurpose old coffee cans or protein powder containers for storing art supplies,” says Parks. “These are great for storing markers, crayons, paint brushes, glue sticks, and other small craft items.” Add labels to the cans so your kids know exactly where to put things away when craft time is over.
Pallet Wine Rack
If you need wood for a storage project, try using repurposed pallet wood. You can often ask local businesses or construction sites for their pallets, or find them on Facebook Marketplace. Here’s a simple woodworking project—use some old pallet wood to make a wine bottle holder with a built-in wine glass rack. The rack would make a great addition to an outdoor patio area. Just be sure to finish it with an outdoor sealer to protect the wood from the elements.
Drawer Bookshelf
If you have a night stand or dresser that has missing pieces, take out the drawers and turn them into a bookshelf! This DIY repurposed bookshelf is made from two drawers attached to the wall. Add a wood shelf to each drawer to create more display space. Paint the drawers or add wallpaper to the back for more color and pattern.
Old Jars for Crafts
You probably already have a cabinet or shelf full of glass jars in your kitchen, and they have countless uses for storage. In this example, they’ve been repurposed to organize craft supplies. The clear glass allows you to see exactly what and how much you have on hand. “Pickle or pasta sauce jars are also great in the bathroom for holding makeup brushes, toothbrushes, combs, scrunchies and hair ties,” says Parks.
Stuffed Animal Storage
Repurposed storage is perfect for a kid’s room where the unique look can bring character and whimsy as well as functionality. One problem area in many kids’ rooms is their “stuffie” collection. All those beloved stuffed animals make a huge mess. Try cleaning an old plant hanger, painting it and hanging it in your child’s room to keep the animals off the floor. Add beading and embellishments for extra flair.
Suitcase Storage
Dust off that old suitcase or find a cute vintage one at a thrift store, then use it for storage. This suitcase was turned into a jewelry box. “In my vintage clothing shop, I love using old suitcases as display pieces,” says McDaniel, “I will stack shoes, pillows or vintage trucker hats on top of suitcases to create a cute display and storage space. The stack itself becomes decor in my shop!”
Trunk Coffee Table
Furniture with built-in storage is a great way to kill two birds with one stone in a small space. Grandma’s old trunk can make a nice coffee table with added storage for your living room. Use the trunk space to hide away extra blankets, pillows, or board games that you can quickly access when needed—no closet required! Try attaching short legs or wheels for height.
Window Shutter
Next time you see old window shutters at the resale shop, pick one up. Screw on some small baskets and use it as a seasonal decoration or to store items such as garlic, onions and potatoes in your pantry. The skinny slots can also be used to hold magazines or a place to set outgoing mail.
Ladder Pot Rack
Storing pots and pans can be a challenge because they are bulky and take up a lot of cabinet space. Instead, create your own pot rack by repurposing an old ladder. Be sure to check the ladder rungs and ensure they are sturdy enough to support the weight of your pots and pans. Attach the ladder to the ceiling above the kitchen island, then hang pots and pans with hooks. “Ladders add height, texture and instant charm to any space,” says McDaniel.
Dresser to Bench
Many people will throw away or donate their broken dressers, but they can be repurposed into functional storage with a little creativity! This tired, old dresser was turned into a sleek bench complete with plenty of storage by a clever DIYer. This bench would work well in an entryway or mudroom, where the drawer space would be perfect for mittens, scarves, hats or shoes. See the transformation at myrepurposedlife.com.
Tool Storage
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Use some old PVC pipe and leftover wood (or pallet wood) to create a cordless drill and tool organizer. The pipes are the perfect size for holding a power drill, and the shelf holds all their chargers and spare batteries. Plus, it mounts to the wall to clear up your work bench space. Check out the full project details here.
Window Shelf
Have you ever seen a beautiful vintage window at a thrift shop, but you passed it up because you weren’t sure what to do with it? Here’s an idea—create a window shelf! Repurpose an old window and attach a board to the bottom to create a one-of-a-kind display shelf. It not only stores and displays your favorite accessories, but also works as wall art. This project cost about $30 for the materials and took less than two hours.
Shoe Rack
This clever shoe storage system is made from old trays! Set the various trays on top of a shoe rack to protect your flooring from mud, snow and ice. You could also designate a tray to each family member with a label so they know exactly where to put their shoes back when they come in the door. These garage shoe storage solutions might come in handy, too.
Repurposed Hardware Cabinet
If you have an old hardware storage cabinet with little drawers in the garage—you can give it a new life indoors! Paint the cabinet, then line the clear drawers with patterned paper. Now it can be used to store craft supplies, jewelry or makeup. Use numbers or labels to keep everything organized and easily found. See how this DIYer transformed her cabinet at girlinthegarage.net.
Lattice Rack
You can never have enough storage in the garage, so why not use some repurposed systems to save money? Plastic lattice works well for storing long lengths of miscellaneous pipe, trim, flashing and conduit. Just cut matching pieces, then screw 2×4 cleats to the ceiling and screw the lattice to the wall studs and cleats. Now you can quickly find those oddball leftovers instead of going to the hardware store and buying yet another piece.
Cord and Hose Hooks
If you’re a DIYer, you probably always have extra pipe scraps lying around. Use pieces of 3-in. ABS plastic plumbing pipe to make simple, inexpensive hangers for your electrical cords. Screw 3-in. end caps to a 2×6 with two 1-5/8-in. screws. Fender washers under the screw heads keep them from pulling through the plastic. Then cement on 8-in. lengths of end-capped pipe. These “hooks” are very strong!
Old Hose Tool Holders
Don’t throw away that old garden hose just yet. Believe it or not, even a leaky hose can be repurposed for garage storage. Cut the hose into 7-in. pieces, then slit them using a utility knife. Attach the pieces of hose to a board, then hang the whole thing on the wall. Now the hose pieces can be used to store your handled tools like rakes and shovels—a DIY tool rack, for free!
Racquet Caddy
Some repurposed storage requires a lot of imagination. Here’s a unique use for that old wooden tennis or badminton racquet that’s gathering dust in the garage. Drill a hole in the handle and screw it to the underside of a workbench. Position the racquet with a lag bolt so it can swing in and out from under the table. Now it can be used to hold tools, parts or other small items you need within reach.
FAQs
How do I make sure the finished upcycled storage looks cohesive?
“For upcycled storage to look cohesive, the pieces shouldn’t compete with each other,” says Parks, “Using lots of different colors, shapes, sizes, and materials together can be visually overwhelming. Instead, I recommend keeping your jars, bins, and containers (and other upcycled storage) similar in style, material, and size, so they naturally go together and look more consistent.”
Does upcycled storage add value to my home?
Yes, some upcycled storage can add value to your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, homes with enhanced storage solutions are perceived as more functional and appealing, and therefore can be sold at a higher value. Any sort of built-in storage that’s been executed well will help sell your home in a competitive market; but keep in mind, non-permanent storage like furniture or small items like repurposed jars or wall displays will not increase the value of your home.
About the Experts
- Olivia Parks is a professional organizer and owner of Nola Organizers, a home organizing company in New Orleans. She specializes in providing decluttering and organizing, as well as packing and unpacking, for all areas of the home.
- Sara McDaniel is a home restoration expert, owner of Simply Southern Cottage, and owner of Purvéy—her carefully curated vintage-clothing and accessories and home-goods shop. She has been featured on Cottages and Bungalows magazine, American Farmhouse Style magazine, HGTV’s Hometown Kickstart and Magnolia Network.
