Turn Old Pot Lids Into The Cutest Rustic Porch Wind Chime

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You might have a lid for every pot in your kitchen, but what happens when the pot breaks? You end up with a stack of just-in-case lids in the back of your kitchen cabinet, threatening to topple over every time you reach in for your stockpot. Instead of tossing old pot lids, reuse them to create an adorable decor piece: a hanging planter, a flag holder, a bird feeder, a wall clock ... You're really only limited by your imagination. One of the easiest ways to upcycle old pot lids is turning them into a rustic wind chime. You add holes to the rim of a large lid and hang smaller lids from it.

You could have this clever hack to repurpose old pot and pan lids ready to hang from the rafters of your porch or patio in a single afternoon. Plus, since most of the materials are things you probably already have on hand — old pot lids and twine — it's super affordable. If you're using ceramic pot lids, check them for chips. Chips can lead to cracks, which can lead to breakage. The last thing you want is to head out to your balcony to listen to your wind chimes with a cup of coffee in hand and accidentally step on broken crockery.

To drill holes in soft aluminium lids, use a hammer and nail or an all-purpose drill bit, like this five-piece set of Cnpmbo Four-Flute Drill Bits. However, harder metals, like stainless steel, will require an electric drill fitted with a twist or step drill bit. To drill holes in ceramic lids, use a carbide-tipped bit and have some water at the ready. You'll also need some eye protection. Drilling holes in glass is a time-consuming process, so glass lids are best avoided.

The trickiest step in creating this beautiful DIY wind chime from repurposed household items is drilling holes into the old pot lids. You need to drill a number of holes around the rim of a large pot lid, and each smaller lid you hang from it needs one hole in the rim. As mentioned, the best tool for the job depends on the material the pot lid is made of — softer materials require less heft. Mark the location of the holes on each lid, then tape over the spot to give the bit (or nail) some grip. Wear goggles to protect your eyes, and secure the lid in a vise before getting started. Go slowly while drilling to keep the pot lid from overheating — you can even splash water on ceramic lids to prevent this — and stop it from moving around too much.

After drilling holes in the lids, knot lengths of twine onto the smaller pot lids and then hang them from the holes in the rim of the larger lid. Tie another length of twine around the handle of the large lid and hang your wind chime outside. For a polished look, paint the pot lids one or a few colors using Krylon Fusion All-In-One Adhesive Spray Paint or a similar weatherproof paint. Rub the metal or ceramic lids down lightly with sandpaper to add grip for the paint. Then wash and dry all lids and spray two light layers of paint. Add a coat of sealant on top for additional protection. You could also switch out the twine for something fancier, like Cadikez Gold Rolo Cable Chain, and add a few strands of Jiakai Diamond Acrylic Crystal Garland to catch the sunlight.