15 Ways To Repurpose A Bundt Pan Around Your Home And Garden

The bundt pan has been a favorite with bakers since its invention in 1950, and today it is used for everything from cake recipes to bread-making and even as a jelly mold. However, if you've inherited an old bundt pan or have a pile of them you don't use, it can be difficult to know what to do with them. Or perhaps you've just been to the thrift store, seen a stack of unused bundt pans, and wondered if there are any other ways to repurpose them outside of cooking and baking. Well, there are!

Due to the unique shape of this classic pan, you can actually transform it into a range of interesting pieces in your home and garden. From making a DIY shabby chic garden planter to creating seasonal decorations and even crafting your own homemade light fixture, you will soon find that these fun little pans have a world of potential beyond the kitchen. So, if you've got a couple of bundt pans gathering dust in your cupboard or you are interested in repurposing materials rather than buying new, why not have a look at these clever tricks to elevate your home and garden using this humble kitchen implement?

The first way to reuse your bundt pan around the house is actually super simple. Its charming round shape and circular center means it can easily be hung on the wall as decoration. This works especially well with more ornate pans as they often have eye-catching designs around the outside or with bronze-colored versions that can add a bit of extra shine to your wall. Alternatively, if your pan doesn't have any decorations and is looking a bit dull, you can always add your own colors by lightly sanding the surface and adding a layer or two of spray paint.

The cut-out center of the bundt pan is actually perfectly suited for use as an outdoor lazy Susan. If you've got an umbrella over your table, you can simply slide the pan over the top and rest it on the table below. Then, fill it with snacks or other outdoor essentials such as gardening tools. The pan should spin easily with the pole through the center, making the items inside accessible to anyone sitting around it.

If you do have an umbrella in your outdoor space but would prefer a bit more greenery, then this common household item can turn into a beautiful planter. Just slide the pan over the umbrella until it is resting on the table, then fill with soil and flowers. You may wish to carefully drill a few holes in the bottom of the pan before putting the plants in to stop them from sitting in wet soil and developing root rot. When watering, it may also be a good idea to remove the pan from the table to prevent water and soil leaking out over the surface.

If you like the idea of turning an old bundt pan into a planter but don't have an umbrella stand to put it around, you can create your own stylish hanging planter for your front porch or patio instead with some simple decoration and a hook. Start by painting the pan in your chosen color, making sure to use weather-resistant paint for extra durability. Or try a charming, shabby chic exterior by decoupaging with patterned material such as napkins and scrapbook paper. For extra effect, why not try matching the plants in the pot to your chosen decoration on the outside?

The bundt pan's circular design means it is perfect for repurposing into a handy multi-tiered stand. Simply glue a few stackable items such as pumpkins for Halloween or oversized ornaments for Christmas onto the center of one bundt pan. Then, top with a second pan to create the upper shelf and decorate. You can add fun trim around the outside to suit the season, and then fill each pan with snacks, utensils, or useful household items such as matches and pens. You could even place it in the entryway to use as a festive catchall for your keys and bags.

Need more bespoke decorations for the holidays? Bundt pans often have a ridged edge similar to that of a pumpkin, making it the perfect item to repurpose for your own fall pumpkin decor. Simply paint the outside of two bundt pans orange, then stack one on top of the other with the centers facing in. You can either glue the pans together or leave them as is so they can be easily stacked and stored away until next season. To really sell the look, add a stick and some greenery to the top to emulate the stem of the pumpkin.

Bundt pans aren't just good for decorating in the autumn, however. They can also be used to create some fun Christmas pieces such as classic seasonal bells. First, tie a bell onto the end of a ribbon or long piece of fabric. Then, loop two or three bundt pans over the ribbon so that they are hanging over the bell with the insides facing downward. This will create a sweet, bell-shaped piece perfect for hanging on a door, bannister, or mantel. You can even use some FolkArt Antiquing Medium Paint from Amazon to give your pans an aged, vintage look.

If you're in need of a charming, homemade Christmas centerpiece, then look no further than the simple bundt pan. Simply face the pan with the inside facing down on the table and fill the center hole with Christmas decorations such as berries, holly, pinecones, and even mini ornaments. You can glue them in place to make them sturdier or press them into some floral foam so that you can rearrange whenever you like. To finish off the piece, add some ribbon or paint decorative stars and snowflakes around the outside for a more festive feel.

If you're hoping to use your bundt pan for decoration all year round, don't worry! You can also use this sweet, round baking tool to arrange your flowers. Simply fill the inside with floral foam, then press either fresh-cut flowers or artificial ones into it. If using fresh flowers, you can pour water into the pan to help keep them alive for longer. You can even add additional seasonal decor elements throughout the year such as snowflakes, Easter eggs, or corn for the fall.

Have you ever looked at a bundt pan and thought its design could be used as a mold for things other than cake? Well, you can actually take smaller bundt pans, fill them with resin, and then decorate them with puffy paint to create delightful crafts, like dessert-shaped candle holders. Always remember to keep your area ventilated when using resin and to wear gloves and eye protection at all times. This trick can be done on larger bundt pans, too, though they would be better suited to holding extra wide candles rather than small, tapered ones.

Want a way to look after the feathered visitors in your yard? Repurpose a bundt pan into a bird feeder. It's a great way to reduce your waste while still providing an attractive, accessible meal for the birds that pop into your garden for a snack. First, tie a piece of wood that is larger than the center of the pan to the end of some string or twine. Then, loop the string through the hole in the bundt pan and tie the other end to a branch or beam in your yard. Finally, fill it with the appropriate bird feed and leave for the birds to enjoy.

Many small household items such as makeup brushes can often be hard to wrangle. And while it may seem like an unusual solution, a bundt pan can actually make a great catch-all for those pesky eyebrow pencils, blush cases, and sponges that tend to get lost or dirty. Simply wipe the pan clean, then put it in a convenient location. The center hole makes a great place to stand up brushes and other longer items, while the body of the pan is perfect for bottles and lotions. This also works well for organizing stationary, with pens in the middle and sticky notes, cards, and loose paper clips around them.

When repurposing common household items into a stunning DIY pendant light, there is often the difficult task of creating a hole to put the lightbulb in. But this isn't a problem when using a bundt pan. With the pan's ready-made shape, you can loop a pendant light kit through the center hole to create a unique glow perfect for a reading spot, over the dining table, or next to the bed. Paint or decorate your pan if you're looking for a splash of color or leave it as-is for a repurposed, industrial look. Remember to be careful with electrical work and always follow package instructions carefully.

Looking to add a pop to your front door but don't want to spend a bundle on an expensive wreath? Believe it or not, you can actually make your own wreath using a bundt pan. You will just need something to hang it with, such as ribbon or twine. and a variety of decorative elements to glue to the inside of the pan. For example, a summer wreath could be filled with grasses, flowers, and even faux lemons. Alternatively, decorate it for Christmas with ornaments, tinsel, and sturdy ribbon to make this a festive repurposing project.

Finally, a super easy alternative use for a bundt pan is to repurpose it into a pest deterrent. If you've got pesky animals raiding your garden but haven't had the time or funds to install protective measures like netting, then banging a pan works great in a pinch. Or, if you have raccoons or possums digging in your trash, hitting an old, unused metal bundt pan with a stick or wooden spoon is a quick and affordable way to scare them off until more permanent solutions can be found.