15 Clever Ways To Repurpose Old Pitchers Around The House

Pitchers are a great item to have if you frequently host events or like to batch-make drinks, but it's likely that the more decorative options you have on hand only get to shine during special events. Because of this, it's beneficial to upcycle a few to get more use out of them in your day-to-day. Luckily, pitchers are extremely versatile and can be used for plenty of different purposes around your house. They're meant to hold liquids, so you can rest assured that they won't leak; they're designed to be presentable, making for great décor; and they're also fairly easy to find at thrift and vintage stores, so you don't need a ton of cash to buy a new one or replace your existing supply if you want to make a more permanent change.

According to data from WorldMetrics, 68% of American households have a set of tools on hand, but many people still lack the time, energy, and knowledge to take on more involved DIY projects. If you find yourself in this category, these pitcher upcycling ideas are perfect for you. Most of these projects will take you a few minutes at most, so they're a great way to dip your toe into the upcycling world and start thinking more creatively about items that might otherwise go to waste, from coffee mugs to mismatched old socks. Here are some of our favorite ways to upcycle unused pitchers into décor, functional planters, and cute storage for various items.

One of the most common ways to repurpose pitchers is by using them as a vase. Because pitchers can hold water and usually have reasonably tall sides, they're the perfect item to use to display your fresh-cut stems. There are plenty of different styles of pitchers, so it's likely that you'll be able to find one that matches your décor, whether it's glass, metal, or porcelain. You can even mix and match beautiful floral patterns on antique vases with the cut arrangements you use, like this example from Pinterest: 

This is also a great way to repurpose pitchers that might not have the best pour spout. Rather than having to deal with spilled drinks, you can enjoy a gorgeous floral centerpiece.

Wall planters are a great alternative to hanging planters if you want your plants off the ground but don't want to mount them to your ceiling. There are plenty of different ways you can go about this project, but one of the easiest is mounting a small floating shelf and using it to support your pitcher. Additionally, thanks to the fact that pitchers have handles for easy pouring, you could install a hook onto your wall and hang your pitcher planter by the handle. This will likely cause the pitcher to tilt slightly, but it would be a great spot for a trailing plant.

Keeping kitchen utensils handy makes your cooking process much more streamlined, but if you don't want to spend unnecessary money on a specifically designed utensil holder, consider repurposing a pitcher instead. They typically have high enough sides so you don't have to worry about your wood spoons and spatulas falling out, and they're already designed to withstand washing, so they're easy to clean with the rest of your dishes. There are plenty of different pitcher styles to choose from, but this is a particularly great utensil hack to elevate your kitchen with vintage or modern farmhouse style.

Planters don't have to be boring, and this hack proves just that. With the addition of some soil, just about any vase can be turned into the perfect planter for your newest green addition. With that being said, however, some plants might not be happy with the lack of drainage and could face root rot as a result. To help fix this, it could be beneficial to drill a few small holes into the bottom of your pitcher or add a layer of rocks at the bottom to ensure that your plant's roots don't end up trapped in a puddle.

Holiday decorations are often unexpectedly pricey, but with some creativity, you can make your own on a budget. Consider taking an old vase and adding in flags for Independence Day, fall foliage for Thanksgiving, or candy canes and tinsel for Christmas. Suppose you keep the vase a neutral color, like white or silver, and instead opt to accessorize it with your additions and decorations. In that case, you can easily remove your old add-ons at the end of each season and replace them with something more appropriate for the time of year without making any major alterations or purchasing an entirely new item.

If you're branching out into the world of making your own candles, you don't have to rely solely on jars as your vessels. As long as you ensure that your material is able to handle heat, you can pour wax into just about anything, pitchers included. This idea likely works best with smaller pitchers, like those commonly used for cream, but if you have the proper materials on hand, nothing is stopping you from making an extra-large candle in a full-sized pitcher. As an added bonus, the handle on the pitcher can be used to transport the candle from room to room without burning your hands.

Pitchers are meant to pour liquid, so why not create something that takes advantage of this design? This idea is a bit more complex, but if you're looking for a way to create a magical-looking centerpiece in your garden, a floating pitcher fountain is a fantastic idea. You'll need some experience working with plumbing to pull this off — or a willingness to do some research — but it's surprisingly inexpensive to build your own fountain at home with the help of a water pump, like this 90 GPH Mini Submersible Water Pump that's available on Amazon for only $8.99.

If you like the idea of using a pitcher as a focal point on your table but want something with a bit more flair than a simple vase, consider turning it into a more involved centerpiece with the addition of a larger punch bowl. This is a great opportunity to repurpose two items from the same collection or that have similar styles, but you can get creative with your combinations if you're looking for some contrast, too. Fill in the empty space in the bowl with flowers, and you have the perfect piece to decorate your dining table.

Desktop organizers can be a bit bland and boring, but you don't have to sacrifice your style just to keep things tidy. If you have a smaller pitcher, especially one that feels a bit too ornate for regular use, consider turning it into a pen holder. Vintage cream pitchers are great for the job, but anything that's shorter than your pens will work. This way, you'll be able to enjoy a beautiful addition to your work setup, give new life to an item that's frequently overlooked, and reap the benefits of some additional organization in an often-cluttered space.

Suncatchers are a great way to bring some color and interest to your outdoor setup. They also offer a fantastic opportunity to get crafty with the items that you have at home. If you have a pitcher that you're not using, tie a string around the handle. From there, pick out some beads that will match the pitcher and shine in the sunlight — colorful glass options are great for this craft, but mirrored accents and faceted beads can also help to reflect more light. Attach the beads to the spout; once you hang it, the final product will look like it's pouring out a stream of color.

Sometimes, all it takes to turn a boring item into a décor piece is a little customization. If your old pitcher is a good base but feels a bit lackluster otherwise, consider adding on a graphic or some hand lettering. This can be accomplished with paint if you're feeling confident in your skills, but you can also use a vinyl cutter to create a sticker of your saying or graphic if you want something that's a bit more precise. Once you're done, use it to accessorize your home on the mantle, the countertop, an entryway table, or pretty much anywhere else you need some custom flair.

Installing a bird feeder can help local wildlife and turn your yard into a much more popular spot for flying visitors, but refilling them with a massive bag of birdseed can be difficult and messy. To help make this chore a bit easier and eliminate the need to keep a large bag of seed on your counter, consider filling up a pitcher instead. This will give you a more presentable way to store extra seed inside, but it can also help you fill up your feeders more precisely, so you don't have to lift a heavy bag and potentially spill.

Sometimes, having a beautiful workspace can help to inspire you to create beautiful art. One of the best ways to do this without adding unnecessary clutter is by swapping out your simple, functional pieces for something with a bit more pizazz. A pitcher can make a great alternative to your existing paint brush holder, and plenty of different styles and colors can bring some more interest to your studio space. As an added bonus, pitchers are meant to be used with liquid and cleaned regularly, so you don't have to worry about water drips or paint spills ruining them.

If you enjoy knitting or crocheting, you're likely familiar with yarn bowls and the added convenience they can provide while you work on your craft. If you have a shorter pitcher on hand with a defined spout, however, you can accomplish the same thing without having to invest in any additional materials. Roll your skein of yarn into a ball, place your yarn ball in the bottom of the pitcher, and thread the working end of your yarn through the spout. The pitcher will prevent your yarn from rolling away while still allowing it to unravel without tangles while you work on your project.

We spend much of our daily routine in the bathroom, so if you want to start your mornings off on the right foot, the space must be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. If you're shopping around for options to store your essentials like cotton balls and cotton swabs but don't like the choices available, consider repurposing a small pitcher as a bathroom organizer instead. Pitchers have enough space, so you won't have to constantly refill them as you deplete your supplies, but they're much prettier than leaving a plastic bag on the counter. For a larger pitcher, your toilet brush has never looked so chic until stored inside.