21 Handy Ways To Repurpose Extra PVC Pipes In Your Home And Garden
You might associate PVC pipes almost exclusively with plumbing work and ventilation, but this simple material has plenty of different applications. It can be used for everything, from more serious uses that allow your home to run smoothly and efficiently to fun crafting projects. Because of its myriad of uses, the PVC pipe market was worth an estimated $58.9 billion in 2019, according to data from Statista. Chances are that you either have this material running though your home or have personally used it in some of your crafting endeavors, but there are likely still some secondary uses out there that you've yet to consider. Because of this, in order to inspire your creativity, we've listed 21 ways to use PVC pipes around your home and in your garden.
Essentially, if you have extra PVC pipe laying around, the world is your oyster. These pipes are designed to be sturdy, inexpensive, and safe for use in plenty of different situations, meaning that they're well-suited for a wide variety of different DIY projects. They were also created with ease of construction in mind, so they can be cut down without the use of expensive tools, and easily fit together with the addition of easy-to-find, standardized connectors. Most PVC pipe crafts are essentially like assembling a large-scale LEGO set. So, if you're looking for a beginner-friendly project, this is a great place to get started.
1. Animal feeder
Traditional animal feeding bowls aren't always the best option for a space. If you need something a bit more streamlined that sits off the ground, consider making your own feeder out of PVC pipes. This DIY is great if you have a chicken coop, but it can also be used as a feeder for wild birds, pets, and livestock. Simply take a large PVC pipe, close off the edges, and cut some holes in the top. Make sure you sand around these cuts so there's nothing sharp that could harm the animal, then suspend your new feeder with some metal ties or rope wherever you see fit.
2. Tool storage
If you have a hobby that requires the use of a large number of tools, whether it's pottery, woodworking, or toy making, you know that it can be difficult to keep everything in one place and accessible. With this DIY, however, your days of a messy work station are over. Cut down some pieces of PVC pipe and attach them to each other using glue and some clips. Stick everything to a simple shelf. Once it's cured, you can place a tool in each pipe to ensure it has a place to go and can easily be found throughout your project.
3. Moss poles
If you have moisture-loving or climbing houseplants, you're likely already aware of the benefits of adding a moss pole to their pots. In addition to providing support and stability for growing leaves, these poles emit moisture and have a texture that more closely mimics tree bark than a traditional trellis. As an added bonus, they're also incredibly simple to build at home. Simply wrap a PVC pipe in a layer of moss and burlap netting, then tie everything down with some fishing wire. Stick it in your pot, spray it with some water, and your plant should naturally start to cling on as it grows.
4. Vertical garden
When you finish a project you're working on, you're not always left with long pieces of PVC pipe. Sometimes, you might also have some extra connectors lying around, too. If that's the case, you're in luck, because they can easily be transformed into a vertical herb garden that can help you make use of otherwise-wasted space on your walls or fence. Simply attach some elbow joints to a piece of scrap wood with some glue, then wait for everything to cure. Once it dries down fully, you can fill the pipes with soil and your plants of choice, then hang the whole planter on the wall.
5. Drawer organizers
It's safe to say that we could all use a little bit more organization in our lives, and this simple idea using PVC pipes is a great way to bring some order to a messy drawer without much extra work. For this idea, all you need is a wide PVC pipe, a saw, and some sandpaper. Cut down slivers of the PVC pipe so they fit the height of your drawer and sand down the edges to help avoid any accidental cuts or snags in your fabric. Place the pipes in your drawer to create divided spaces for items like ties, underwear, and belts.
6. Side table
PVC pipes are built to withstand quite a bit of weight and pressure, so despite how simple in design they are, they can make a solid material for the base of a small table. With a few connectors, a simple tabletop, spray paint, and some caps to finish everything off, you can mimic the look of an industrial-style piece of furniture on a significantly-smaller budget. Just make sure you really prioritize cross beams and support — even though the table might not snap with the weight of everyday use, it could still feel a bit wobbly if it's not constructed with the proper considerations.
7. Wine bottle holder
Having a couple different bottles of wine around the house for when guests come over is a great move, especially if you frequently host or don't know your visitor's preferences. However, just leaving them sitting out on the counter can make your kitchen look messy. Instead, consider using a wine rack to turn these bottles into a display piece rather than an eyesore. Cut down a few PVC pipes to size, give them a coat of paint, and arrange and glue them into a sculptural-looking bottle holder that's sure to impress your guests.
8. Desktop organizer
Just about everyone enjoys having a stash of different kinds of writing utensils on their desk (even if they only use the same pen every day), but not everyone is a fan of the mess that comes along with having this giant collection of pencils, pens, and markers. For a quick and easy storage solution that doesn't take up a ton of space, cut down some PVC pipes into pen holders. You can glue them together in a line to create one organizer, keep them separate if you want to be able to move them around, or try your hand at assembling them into different formations.
9. Yard tool hooks
PVC pipe can be used as an organizer for plenty of different items around the home, but this DIY takes a bit of a different approach. Instead of using the full cylinder of PVC, consider cutting it in half to create a hook. A medium-sized pipe is the perfect size to hold onto the handles of garden tools like rakes, shovels, and trowels, and the thickness of the plastic will ensure this holder stays in good shape, even with a bit of weight hanging on it. Just screw the back of this organizer hook onto a mounted board and you'll have a convenient and functional organization station.
10. Napkin rings
After working with PVC pipe, it's likely that most of the scrap you'll have laying around is in the form of smaller pieces that you've trimmed off the end of the pipe to get it to the correct length. These tiny pieces typically don't have a ton of use when you're building, but they can be transformed into plenty of different useful items around the house, including napkin rings. Sand down the edges of your scrap PVC, paint it your desired color, and add on some decorations and embellishments to transform it into a final product that you'd never guess was about to go into the trash.
11. Candle holder
Candle holders only require two components: a piece to hold the base of the candle and a piece to stabilize the holder and catch any wax that might drip down the sides. While you could obviously buy something new that will do the job, it's incredibly simple to make a candle holder yourself. Cut down a piece of PVC pipe that's slightly larger in diameter than your candle and place it in a round mold filled with concrete, then paint the piece. You could also simply glue a piece of PVC pipe to a tea cup saucer as well.
12. Laundry cart
There are plenty of different options for laundry baskets out there, but some of the most convenient choices have included wheels that allow you to cart your clothes around rather than having to carry them. If you already have baskets and don't want to spend money on something new, consider using some PVC pipe to make your own cart. With some pipes, a few connectors, and four wheels attached to the bottom, you can transform your existing baskets into something that's sturdy, easy to move, and much less stressful on your back if you need to be careful with heavy lifting.
13. Barre
Barre classes have taken over the fitness world as a fun way to get your heart rate pumping, but professional instruction can get expensive. Further, if you prefer working out at home, most people's homes don't have room for a full dance studio-style barre install. Thankfully, the design of a barre is incredibly simple and can easily be recreated with some PVC pipes. This way, you can follow along with your favorite online classes — or create a space for practice if you have kids taking dance lessons — without having to invest a ton of money into an expensive pre-built option.
14. Magazine stand
Magazine holders are usually pretty simple in design, which makes them the perfect candidate for a beginner-friendly DIY project. Basically all they are is a rack with a piece of fabric suspended between the two arms. Because of this, if you have enough PVC pipe to build a simple frame, you're already halfway there. Use this project as a chance to use up some scrap fabric that you especially like the pattern of or take the opportunity to match your magazine holder to the exact fabric you used for your throw pillows, couch upholstery, or curtains.
15. Irrigation system
With certain soil types, it can be difficult to ensure that water is penetrating the surface of the ground deep enough to effectively water your plants. There are a few different methods to help mitigate this issue, but one of the simplest involves moving the water source deeper underground to make sure it doesn't just flood the surface. Take a piece of PVC pipe, add some mesh on to the end to prevent soil from blocking the flow of water, and bury it a few inches deep. When it's time to water, you can stick the hose in this pipe to deliver moisture directly underground.
16. Toilet paper holder
Having an accessible backup supply of toilet paper in the bathroom doesn't seem like it needs to be a priority at first glance, but if you end up stranded with an empty roll, you'll likely start to rethink your organizational system. Thankfully, this idea ensures you'll be able to store plenty of backups so you'll never have to worry about running out of toilet paper again. Simply attach some cut pieces of large PVC pipe together with glue, then hang it on the wall. Each piece can store one roll, so you can make this organizer as large or as small as you need.
17. Pet bed
Our pets deserve the utmost luxury, but that doesn't mean we need to shell out hundreds of dollars on overpriced beds. With a bit of finessing, a few pieces of PVC pipe can transform into a comfortable, hammock-style bed for your pet. Assemble a frame with four legs and a hollow top, then drape a layer of durable, non-stretch fabric over the shape you've created. Attach it to the frame and make sure to pull it taught so your pet doesn't immediately sink when they lay down. If it gets dirty or wears out, simply toss the fabric in the wash or replace it with a new piece.
18. Hair tools storage
Hot hair tools can present a major hazard to your surfaces, especially if you leave them unattended or forget to unplug them when you're done styling your hair. With this DIY, however, you can create your own cooling area that revolutionizes your bathroom appliance storage and reminds you to put them away before you head out to face your day. All you need is a "Y' connector and some paint if you're not a fan of the bright white look. With a hair dryer weighing down the top, your holder should be able to stand on its own and keep your hair styling essentials in their designated safe spot.
19. Towel rack
Collapsable storage solutions are fantastic if you only need to use something occasionally and don't want it occupying a ton of space, and this towel rack is no exception. This build is a bit more involved than some of the other ideas on this list, but it's still fairly simple to pull off with the right materials. Install a pipe vertically on your wall, then attach a few poles that jut out from this pipe using connectors that can twist. You should be able to lay these poles flat when you're not using them and then pull them out when it's time to hang something.
20. Tape holder
Washi tape is an essential in a number of crafts, but it's not uncommon to develop a collection that takes up a ton of space. For a storage method that allows you to see all of the colors and patterns of tape you have access to at once, try your hand at making an organizer out of a PVC pipe. Cut your pipe lengthwise until you're left with a trough shape, then attach it to your wall or the back of your desk. This idea is great for washi tape but it can also be used for just about anything else that comes on a spool, too.
21. Decor pieces
PVC pipes typically serve a more utilitarian purpose, but when they're arranged correctly, they can add some interesting texture to an otherwise-drab décor piece. Cut down some PVC pipes until they're all the same size, then cut them in half if you want your material to stretch even farther. Attach them with strong glue to whatever you please, including a lighting fixture, a side table, or a vase. Finally, hit them with a coat of paint if you want to conceal the fact that they're PVC pipes while still maintaining the interesting texture you've created.