Turn An Old Candle Jar Lid Into A Clever Storage Solution With This DIY

After you've burned your candles all the way down, it can feel wasteful to trash the leftover container, especially if it's made of quality materials or served as a piece of decor in your space. There are plenty of ideas for upcycling and reusing your candle jars that will allow you to cut down on this waste and make better use of something that has plenty of life left, but not all of these hacks also include the jars' lids.

If you have some left over after turning your old candles holders into gorgeous planters or cute decorative vases, this DIY by TikTok creator @sovehome is perfect for you. With a few simple steps, these seemingly single-use lids can become stylish and functional wall storage that's perfect for displaying items like bags, scarves, or hanging plants.

Certain kinds of candle lids are better-suited for this hack, however. Because you'll be drilling into the material in order to mount it, lids made of wood or bamboo will be the easiest to work with. Metal lids can also work, though they might require some finessing, and you should never attempt to drill through glass unless you're experienced and have the correct tools on hand, like a diamond or carbide-tipped drill bit. It's also best if your chosen lid is fairly thick — the final result will utilize this thickness as a lip for hanging items, so thinner lids won't be as functional once they're actually on the wall. If your lids aren't the right fit for this DIY, no worries — repurpose them as spoon rests, desktop organizers, or even tea light holders!

Essentially, this hanging wall storage DIY is as simple as mounting your lids to the wall. You'll want to start by drilling a hole into the middle of the back of your candle lid, making sure you don't pierce through to the other side. From there, insert a double-ended screw the same size as the hole you drilled. Make sure this feels secure, then move on to prepping the wall.

Drill a pilot hole at the desired placement, then install an anchor, especially if you plan to use your lid to hold heaver items. After this, all you have to do is screw in the prepped lid by hand. You can install just one to make a convenient drop spot for your purse or as a way to hang a plant, or if you have several lids, you can cluster them together to create a full organizational wall.

Metal lids won't be as easy to work with as wood because they're typically much thinner, but if you want to create the same look, you can securely glue a wood block to the back of the lid and follow the same steps to mount it. Keep weight limits in mind, though. While a multi-purpose adhesive like E6000 can provide a solid hold, it's not a miracle worker. 

If you want to further customize this hack, you have plenty of flexibility. Painting or staining the lids before mounting them is the easiest way to create a look that matches your space. There's also wiggle room when it comes to styling. These wall hangers would be incredibly convenient in an entryway, but they'd also do well as a towel hanger in the kitchen or bathroom.