12 Clever Ways To Repurpose Pantry Items Into Useful Storage Solutions For Your Home

Taking a closer look at the art of pantry upcycling, it's safe to say that you can make almost all your storage solutions. Whether you are a meticulous organizer or someone who leans a little chaotic, clever storage containers are a simple way to bring order — along with a little creativity — into your home. This list of ideas highlights kitchen items you can reuse in your home to reduce waste, transforming them into storage containers for every room in the house.

There are thousands of ideas out there for reusing everyday pantry items, but this list is focused on creating clever storage solutions that will actually help you stay organized instead of adding more clutter to your life. With these surprisingly versatile storage solutions, you won't feel guilty about saving pantry items from the landfill because they're going to be put to work keeping your home tidy.

Through the 1900s, people reused old pantry items out of necessity. Today, Gen Zers are embracing upcycling as a fashion trend. From jars and bottles to boxes and metal tins, almost everything that comes out of the pantry can be reused. Now more than ever, making a conscious decision to reduce waste, save money, and live more sustainably by repurposing disused pantry items can be fun, rewarding, and a stylish way to keep your home organized.

There's no doubt that the humble Mason jar is reliving its glory days. Widely celebrated and used all over the house, Mason jars are ideal for storage solutions for everything from spices and pantry staples to office and bathroom essentials. The great thing about Mason jars is that if you break one or need another for a set, they're endlessly available. Add knobs and paint the lids to make these look like small canisters, or attach magnets to the lids and DIY a magnetic spice rack. Or make old-fashioned Mason jar lid covers with fabric and notions.

While the old metal coffee cans are getting harder and harder to find, the new plastic ones are airtight, making them useful for everything from compost scraps to sewing notions storage. In fact, there are almost as many creative ways to repurpose empty coffee containers around the house as there are uses for Mason jars. When it comes to storage, coffee cans can be used in every room of the house, including the garage. Paint or decoupage them, add a knob or handle, and use them as canisters for your kitchen or craft room.

Almost everyone has an old cookie tin lying around that could be transformed into a luxurious jewelry organizer. Its sturdy metal construction makes them perfect for adding glamorous embellishments such as mirrors, rhinestone accents, and metallic paint. Include a fabric lining and turn a simple old cookie tin into a chic storage solution that would look great on any powder room table or vanity.

Instead of throwing away those old jars, use them to store small hardware. If you've ever purchased a box of nails or screws only to have the packaging fall apart over time, you'll appreciate this simple hack that instantly adds value to your garage shelves. While you can paint the lids or make labels, one of the great things about this hack is that it's so simple. Just clean the jar, put it on a garage shelf, and fill it with nails and screws for your next DIY project.

It doesn't matter what your favorite hobby is; if you're a hobbyist, there's no such thing as too many storage containers. However, by saving an assortment of metal cans, from small soup tins to large tomato sauce cans, you can turn that around and have all the storage you need. Old tin cans are fun to upcycle using a variety of methods, from painting to decoupage. You can achieve any style you like and, with a little creativity, turn ordinary cans into functional organizers storing everything from kitchen supplies to garage hardware.

If you found a stack of old ice cube trays while cleaning out the pantry, don't fret. These can be used for many different things, including craft storage for organizing small items. Fill them with craft tape, buttons, snaps, bobbins, and pieces of ribbon. You can also use ice cube trays for bathroom organization. They're perfect for storing nail polish, organizing makeup and jewelry, and keeping track of small items.

A little fabric goes a long way toward transforming ice cream tubs into charming storage containers. Add some hot glue, fabric accents, and a touch of paint, and you can create a versatile set of storage containers for anywhere in the home. Whether you keep the lids or go lid-free, these are ideal for toy storage in children's rooms or keeping TV remotes and chargers organized within easy reach in the family room.

Since many of the items that come from the pantry are designed for food or liquid storage, it often makes sense to repurpose them for a similar use. Recycled water, juice, and soda bottles are a perfect example. Once they have served their original purpose, you can save the plastic bottles from the landfill by using them to store dry foods like rice, beans, and grains. Dry foods are easy to get into a bottle with a funnel, and you can pour them out when you're ready to use them.

This craft has been around for a long time. With the decline in magazine subscriptions, it's no longer quite as popular to use cereal boxes as magazine holders. However, the organizers are still useful for storing and organizing files, important papers, and mail in your home office. Or cover a cereal box with fabric, tissue paper, or decorative wrapping paper to use it as a gift box. Add photos for a touch of personality, and they make a great homemade gift for the holidays.

Paper towel rolls are a pantry essential with hundreds of upcycling possibilities. Decorate them with fabric, paper, or paint, and turn them into an office supply organizer using wooden skewers. Projects that involve repurposing paper towel rolls are also fun to do with kids. They learn about sustainability, and they can use what they make to organize the items on their desk or play games.

The oatmeal container is another pantry essential that's often put to good use through upcycling. Because they're made of cardboard, they're not as heavy-duty as some containers. However, the cardboard makes them easier to craft with. Cut them to any size you want and cover them with contact paper, fabric, or decorative wrapping paper. Then, use them everywhere from the kitchen to the living room.

There are many ways to repurpose empty spice jars in your home and garden. One easy way that brings a lot of value is to clean them up and fill them with baking soda. Baking soda is an effective, eco-friendly cleaner, and when you purchase it in bulk, it's also affordable. Fill up several of these so you always have one handy for cleaning sinks, toilets, and tubs. The built-in shaker is splendid for this purpose. For your garden, fill them with diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it wherever you have ants.