9 Genius Ways To Repurpose Oatmeal Containers Around Your Home

If oatmeal is a staple at your family's breakfast table, you've probably found yourself with empty containers piling up in your recycling bin. Next time you're about to toss one away, think again. There are tons of fun DIYs that you can do to repurpose oatmeal containers. From tissue and bag dispensers to plant pots and cookie boxes, there are so many ways to reuse them instead of throwing them out.

The best part is that these hacks are incredibly easy and you don't need any complicated supplies to get them done. To cut through the lid, simple scissors are enough. And to make them look pretty? Use some paint or decorative paper and tape! There are tons of unexpected uses for oats around your home, and now even more unexpected uses for the container they came in. 

Use an empty oatmeal container to create something completely unexpected like a giant Starbucks cup to use as decor. Cover the oatmeal container and its lid with some bright pink spray paint. Then, to create the whipped cream, fill a pastry piping bag with construction caulking like this Flex Seal caulk. Make sure to use a tip coupler to give it that whipped cream look. Finally, add a few sprinkles on top, print a Starbucks logo to glue on the front, and write your name on the back of the cup with a marker. 

Oatmeal containers are the perfect size to fit toilet paper rolls, so they're great to use as dispensers. Place a roll of toilet paper in the canister and cut a small hole into the center of the lid to act as a dispenser. To make a hole big enough for the napkins to fit without ripping, cut through the soft plastic lid with scissors. Start by sliding one blade through and then expand the whole with the scissors. Place the dispenser in the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom so that you always have paper napkins on hand.

Who said kids' toys have to be expensive? Cut a slit in the lid of the container using scissors, about three inches long and half an inch wide. Give the box to a toddler along with some playing cards and watch them practice motricity and focus as they try to fit all of the cards into the container through the slit. If you'd like the container to look extra pretty, simply cover it with some decorative paper and secure it with tape.

Oatmeal containers are some of the common household items that you can turn into beautiful planters. They are about 5 inches in diameter, which means small 4-inch nursery pots can fit inside them. Decorate the oatmeal container using paint or by wrapping jute rope around it and securing it with hot glue. Remember to take the nursery pot outside of the container before watering the plant and let it dry before putting it back inside, or else the cardboard could be damaged. A safe bet is to use this hack with fake plants that don't need any water. 

Why only use one oatmeal container when you can use seven and make an ottoman? To do this, place six containers in a circle with the last one in the center and secure them together tightly using tape. Cut a circular piece of padded fabric or some GoTo upholstery foam to place on top of the containers and make the ottoman more comfortable. Then, cut and sew some fabric to act as the ottoman cover and simply slide it on top, like in the video. 

If you like to gift baked goods to your family, friends, and neighbors, chances are you're always looking for containers for your next batch. Oatmeal containers are the perfect size for baked goods. Cut a piece of wrapping paper to cover the oatmeal container perfectly and secure it using simple or double-sided tape. Cut a circular piece of paper and attach it to the lid. Tie a simple ribbon around the container, fill it with treats, and you're done. You can even add a gift label to the ribbon for an extra personal touch or write their name directly on there with a marker. 

Why not use an oatmeal container as a storage box for arts and crafts supplies, yarn, or paintbrushes? To upcycle a simple canister, start by painting it white so that you have a clean canvas to work with. Then, dry and style some of your favorite flowers into DIY pressed flowers. Apply these to the canister using Mod Podge for a really unique and organic look. Leave it on your desk or on a shelf, and no one will ever guess this was once an oatmeal can. 

Another way to use oatmeal containers as storage is to toss the lid away altogether and use them as open bins on your vanity. Wrap the containers in some extra thick Leecogo 3mm jute twine and use hot glue to keep it in place. You can do this hack on a full-length container for taller items or cut the container with scissors so that it's shorter. Use your new DIY containers to store toiletries, hair accessories, and vanity clutter.

Use an oatmeal container to create a beautiful garbage bag dispenser. To make it look pretty, cover an oatmeal container with wrapping paper and secure it in place using tape. To create the actual dispenser part, cut a small hole at the center of the lid with scissors, place a roll of plastic bags inside the container, and slide the first bag through the hole. This works especially well with kitchen and bathroom garbage bags because they're so small.