Just about every thrift store out there has a tremendous collection of kitchen items in stock. From cutting boards to cooking tools and everything in between, their shelves are packed with all the kitchenware you can imagine. But if using these things to create culinary delights in your kitchen doesn’t appeal, then maybe some of these upcycled projects may be more your speed.
Fondue Forks
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Doing all the prep work for a fondue dinner sounds great in theory, but is quite the burden to take on. But don’t let those fondue forks go completely to waste! Because look how perfect they are as plant labels for your potted herbs?
Coffee Pot Terrarium
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
I always see these percolator-style coffee pots at thrift stores- and now I know how DARLING they can be as little terrariums. This one has a beachy theme, but you could change it up however you like. Especially since coffee pots have wider openings than mason jars, which are often used for miniature scenes like this.
Beach Sand Display
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Vintage spice racks comprised of glass bottles in a wooden stand like this have a lot of non-kitchen applications. In this particular case, it was repurposed as a way to display sand from all the beach vacations that were taken. How cool is that?
Craft Storage with Kitchenware
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
You can always count on thrift stores to have a few paper towel holders available. And if they happen to be of the wall mounted variety, think of it as a handy ribbon holder like this. You can hang it as intended or keep it on a shelf or table. Either way, your ribbon will stay cool and spooled with this handy upcycle.
Cutting Boards as Furniture
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This antique footstool used to have a woven rush top, but it was already unraveling in the thrift store. So, the old rush was removed (what a mess!) and replaced with the help of a perfectly-sized cutting board.
Which also came from the thrift store, by the way. Talk about a thrifty fix!
Recipe Box Bottle Opener
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Summer just isn’t summer without a bottle opener on the back porch. But watch out for those caps- they’ll tear up bare feet. This DIY version solves that problem- with a cap catcher AND a trap door made from an upcycled wooden recipe box.
Holiday Decor from Kitchenware
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This minimalist-style Christmas tree sure didn’t start out as a holiday decoration. But rather from a thrifted coffee mug tree that probably lived on a kitchen counter at one point. Either way, since it was missing an arm, it was completely upcycled into something festive instead.
Double the Kitchenware Fun
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Inspired by an old hardware bin from general stores and hardware stores of days gone by, this craft room organizer is cute AND handy. A Tupperware® tray is the star of the show and keeps all sorts of arts & crafts supplies organized and tidy. And it sits on a the spinning base of a cruet set…talk about a kitchenware “twofer” project, eh?
Vintage Kitchen Tools
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you’re anything like me, then you might have a weakness for vintage kitchen tools. And the ones that can stand on their own- like these potato mashers with the chippy painted handles- are ideal for upcycling into recipe holders. And here’s hoping cooking from recipe cards never goes out of style completely, eh?
Quirky Planters from Kitchenware
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
As much as I love real houseplants, I don’t exactly have a great record at keeping them alive. So, “faux” is the way to go in our house. And look how cute a vintage sifter is as a “planter” for these felt succulents. See, that’s the great thing about fake plants- they can be potted in anything!
Coffee Mug Suet Feeder
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Feeding your backyard birds in the winter is as easy as a suet feeder. And this version is made in a thrifted coffee mug, which is a great way to put those chipped mugs to good reuse.
Crafty Storage in a Spice Rack
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Thrift stores are a great place to score a spice rack cheaply- and it’s usually empty and ready to be refilled. But save the thyme and sage for your kitchen, because spice racks like this are ideal for craft storage. The spice bottles hold all sorts of tiny things- beads, buttons, jewelry findings, glitter, etc.- and keep them neat and tidy in your craft room.
Spooky Makeovers
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Not just any cookie jar will do in this case, but if you find a house-shaped one? Well, a little paint and air-dry clay can transform it into the spooky-cutest Halloween haunted house around.
MCM-Style Canisters
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I think we can all agree that mid-century modern fonts are a complete delight, yes? Which means that adding them via stencils or decals is a great way to DIY some retro decor. Especially if they started as mismatched misfits from the thrift store, like these canisters did…
Wood Cutting Boards as Trays
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Trays are a favorite foundation for coffee table decor, aren’t they? And while you can certainly purchase a pre-made tray from a home decor store, you can also repurpose a thrifted cutting board for a fraction of the cost. Because look how amazing it looks when reimagined as a perfectly weathered decorative tray.
Spindle Ornaments from Kitchenware
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
These little wooden spindles are truly the perfect size and shape to turn into Christmas ornaments with paint and twine. But the craziest part is where they came from. Would you believe they came from a classic piece of kitchenware? They’re the arms from a coffee mug tree from the thrift store!
Snack Tray Fence Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If your fence is feeling plain compared to your garden, jazz it up with these easy flowers! Made from plastic party trays, these fence flowers are a simple upcycling project that anyone can do, and they add so much fun to the look of your yard.
Cross Stitch on Kitchen Tools
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
The metal mesh on kitchen strainers (especially vintage ones) is an unusual but ideal surface for cross stitch like this. Plus, using a strainer gives your fiber craft dimension and an unexpected frame that is easy to hang.
Seed Packet Storage
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This recipe box with a built in card display was a fun thrift store find- albeit one with an outdated, country-style look. But, a Spring-inspired makeover was the perfect thing for this nostalgic piece of kitchenware. And now it’s the perfect way to store and file seed packets.
Jewelry Organizer
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
As you’ve seen above, I have a tendency to break down mug trees during my upcycling projects. But the truth is, they’re perfect for upcycling as bracelet holders on your dresser top, too. Even without a pretty paint job, they keep your cuffs and bangles perfectly untangled.
Repurposed Kitchenware Ideas
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There are just SO MANY POSSIBILITIES in that thrift store kitchenware section. From cutting boards to spice racks, from mug trees to strainers. I hope these projects have inspired you to revisit that often-cluttered thrift store aisle- and to put a few pieces to excellent (and crafty) reuse.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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