Don't Throw Out An Empty Oatmeal Container - Try This Genius Upcycling Hack Instead

Many of the items sitting in your pantry might seem useless once the contents inside are gone, but the truth is, containers made from glass and cardboard can actually be reused for home decor or storage. It's an easy way to stretch your dollar and get a little something extra out of what you already have, all while creating less waste. It's a win for you and the planet! For example, an oatmeal container can be repurposed for toilet paper storage. Alternatively, turn them into adorable, stackable home decor hat boxes. While these will likely be too small for actual hats, they can be used to store other items — or just as interesting decor pieces. To make one, you'll cut the oatmeal container, attach decorative paper, create a lid with cardboard, and decorate the box.

To make a hat box, you'll need a few supplies: an empty oatmeal container, a hot glue gun, a utility knife, some cardboard, a tracing tool, a glue stick, decorative paper, faux leather ribbon, and a smoothing spatula. This will all help you create a unique look that no one will guess is hiding an old oatmeal container underneath. YouTuber Hot Humble Pie created some truly charming hat boxes out of empty oatmeal containers, going for more of an antique French country decor vibe. But you can decorate yours however you desire.

Begin by tracing horizontally around the circumference of the oatmeal container using a piece of computer paper as a guide, then cut along the line with a utility knife. Using the bottom of the container, trace the circle onto cardboard twice. This will act as the lid, so you'll cut each of those out and hot glue the two pieces together. Just make sure they fit overtop the container.

Grab a glue stick and apply a generous amount to the outside of the container. Wrap it with your decorative paper, making sure it lines up evenly with the bottom. Trim the excess at the top, but leave about a half-inch to an inch of overhang. Then, fold in the leftover flap and hot glue it down, pressing it with a silicone hot glue mini spatula. To finish the lid, use the glue stick to attach matching decorative paper to the top and bottom. Then wrap faux leather ribbon around the edge of the lid, securing it with hot glue.

Now it's time to decorate the sides. Hot Humble Pie used free printables from TheGraphicsFairy.com. Glue those on, and for added character, lightly brush tan paint around the edges. To cover up any hot glue peeking through where the faux leather ribbon meets the lid, apply a bit of matching paint to the leather ribbon around the outside. Repeat these steps for any additional boxes you want to make.

The French-themed design is undeniably elegant and classy, but there are so many ways to decorate your own depending on your home's aesthetic or your personal color preferences. For instance, wrapping the sides in simple black paper and adding a gold faux leather trim around the lid would look sleek and modern. You can also customize oatmeal containers into hat boxes for kids (maybe unicorn-themed) and use them as simple toy storage boxes to keep your playroom tidy.

If you want to swap out the antique look entirely, consider going for something floral or boho. The iKammo Aesthetic Scrapbook Paper Pad practically screams "Bridgerton", if that's your thing. As you're deciding on a pattern, keep in mind that a typical rolled oats container measures about 5 inches in diameter and 9.5 inches tall. That means the circumference is just over 15 inches, so make sure your decorative or scrapbook paper is long enough to wrap around the container. A large, round piece of cardboard under the box can even make it appear like a decorative hat itself.

Contact paper is another great option, especially if you find a pattern you can't live without or you're concerned that glue won't hold up over time. Another fun way to dress up your DIY hat box is by adding handles. Use a hole punch to make two small holes on opposite sides, then thread through a piece of sturdy yarn that matches your theme. Don't forget to tie the knots on the inside so they stay hidden. Sounds pretty simple, right? So, which theme or color scheme will you go with?