Creative Ways To Repurpose Those Old CDs Around Your Home And Garden

Compact discs, better known as CDs, were first introduced in the early 1980s as a sleeker and more efficient way to store and transmit information like music and computer games, eventually overtaking cassette tapes and vinyl as the most popular way to buy and listen to albums in the later part of the decade. While they were revolutionary at the time, nowadays, we live in a much more digital world. Instead of having to purchase music — or put in the work to burn our own CDs — we can rely on a seemingly-endless library of content available on streaming services, and, as laptops got thinner and cars were built with more technologically advanced consoles, it's becoming more and more rare to have a way to even play these CDs in the first place.

Because of this, many of us are left with a seemingly-useless collection of discs. They might not have much value based on their content anymore, but, if you're attempting to cut down on the waste you produce, they can certainly be used as a material in DIY projects. Thanks to their fairly simple construction, consistent design, and unique look, they can make for an excellent source of building material for your next home or garden décor idea.

Clocks are one of those items that most people don't think they can build themselves, but the mechanism is actually incredibly simple and easy to install, especially when using a CD. To do this yourself, all you need is your CD and a clock kit, like this TIKROUND Youngtown High Torque Long Shaft Clock Movement Mechanism from Amazon. Install your kit, sandwiching the CD between the mechanism and the hands, and you're good to go. You can also choose to draw or stick on numbers or cover the surface of the CD with contact paper or paint, but this all depends on your desired final look.

DIY suncatchers are a great way to bring some color to your outdoor spaces, and CDs provide a great base for your project. To start, you'll need to remove the silver layer of your CD. Gently scratch at it with some scissors, then use packing tape to help peel it off. From there, begin painting on your design with suncatcher paints — they're specifically designed to allow light to filter through and will leave you with a look similar to stained glass rather than something opaque. Tie your CDs together with some fishing wire, and you have a beautiful display to hang in your window.

Another way to use CDs in the garden — either as a complement to or instead of creating your own plant markers — is as a bird deterrent. Because of their bright, reflective surfaces, CDs can help to prevent birds from munching on your garden fruit. Simply hang them from your plant's branches or from stakes using some string or ribbon. To maximize the dazzling effect, make sure the CDs are hanging loose enough to move around a bit with the wind. You might even end up with some vibrant prisms scattered around your garden that you can enjoy, too.

You can make your own coasters out of pretty much anything, but CDs are one of the easiest bases to start off with thanks to their size. Begin by painting your CDs, covering them with a layer of fabric using Mod Podge, or simply leaving them as-is if you like the graphic. You can stop here, or you can go on to add a bit of additional cushioning and absorbency. Cut a thin sheet of cork, felt, or thick card stock to the same shape and size as your CD, then glue it to the bottom to thicken up your DIY coaster and give it a bit more heft.

If you're in need of a new home for your plant, look no further than this inventive DIY that upcycles not one but two pieces of plastic that would otherwise go to waste. To begin, grab a plastic bottle and cut it in half, glue the top down to a CD, and give everything a coat of paint. Put your plant inside, and, if you find you've overwatered it, you can simply unscrew the lid to let off a bit of the excess liquid. Make sure you hold on to the bottom of your bottle, too. You can turn that into a beautiful planter, as well.

For this DIY, you're going to need your CDs, hot glue, your fabric or paper of choice, some twine, and a few hooks. Begin by hot gluing four stacks of three CDs together to increase their thickness. Cover these stacks with your fabric or paper, then wrap the outside in twine to conceal the edge, making sure to glue as you go along. Glue these four pieces together in a line, then attach a hook to the front of each section. Finally, finish everything off with a string across the top so you'll be able to hang your DIY key holder on your wall.

Round curtain pullbacks are a great option if you want to allow sunlight in through your windows but you don't want to have to install something directly into your wall, and making your own is incredibly simple if you have spare CDs lying around. To build this yourself, begin by cutting out the center of your CD until you're left with a ring. Cover this ring in ribbon or fabric to polish it up a bit, then bunch up your curtain and pull a small amount of material through. Wedge a chopstick between the fabric and your hoop, and your curtain should stay put.

If you're comfortable with working with a flame for these DIYs, you could also consider making a simple set of bookends. To do this, all you need are your old CDs and a candle. Bend them with the help of the flame, making sure you don't linger on one spot for too long, then allow them to cool. Once they're bent in half, you can slide them under the end of your books to keep them standing upright. At this point, you could also paint your bookends or decorate them with fabric or paper, though the final look is completely up to you.

If you like the idea of painting your old CDs but you're looking for a more seasonally-inspired idea, consider turning them into Christmas ornaments. Paint them with your desired design, draw on them with markers, or paste down a layer of your favorite wrapping paper. Once your design is dry, cover the edges with a strip of ribbon, hot gluing as you go, and add on a loop to hang the ornament on your tree. This is a great project to do alone if you're feeling creative, but it can also be fun to do with kids to create a special keepsake ornament.

Because they're so thin, CDs can be cut fairly easily with a pair of strong scissors. That means they're perfect for this DIY. To make your own napkin holders, cut your CD in half as straight as possible, then cover with your paint, fabric, or paper of choice. Cut a rectangle out of another CD, cardboard, or flat plastic that's the same length as your CD and about an inch wide, then use it as a base to glue on your two CD half circles. The final product should be able to stand on its own and add a more decorative spin to your napkin display.

If you like the idea of using CDs in your mosaics but you want some more color and variety, this might be the solution for you. Remove the coating from your CDs until you're left with clear plastic, then cut them into even squares. Add a bit of paint on the bottom square, then sandwich another square on top. Allow them to dry, then place them in your oven on a lined baking sheet at 500 degrees for around 15 minutes. Once they cool, you should have a collection of plastic tiles with varying colors and interesting bubbled textures for use in jewelry, mosaics, or décor.