185 Upcycling Ideas That Will Turn Your Trash Into Treasures

Instead of a cup, drink from a mason jar. They're really cool to serve your homemade mixed drinks in when guests come over.

If you're looking for a planter, opt for a mason jar instead of opaque pots. It's cool to actually see the soil, and it'll give your home an earthy vibe.

Create rosettes out of tissue paper, book pages, or coffee filters in order to make easy and cute decor for your next party, gathering, or wedding.

Turn plastic bags into yarn, or plarn, and then knit it into a bag that you can use for all purposes.

Liven up your garden or patio with a wind chime made from the tops of recycled wine bottles. For the doable DIY, all you have to do is string them together.

Make paper rose decorations to add an interesting twist to items including gifts, Christmas tree ornaments, and wreaths.

Buy a really cheap lamp and glue a map around the shade. Or you can even cut the map into strips and glue it onto the shade for a shaggy effect. The thinner the map, the better the light shines through, so you might want to use the nonglossy kind for this project.

You'll need some hardware (and oil and the proper flame) to pull this one off, but a tiki torch made from wine bottles is a fun way to light up your outdoor space. If all else fails, placing the right-size candle in the bottle neck will get the job done, too.

Add bits of denim to your earrings for a touch of edge.

Find a cute strand of colored rope (or dye brown rope with food coloring) and wrap it around a container with a hot glue gun.

Fill part of your wall in your house with paint chips to add some cheer to your home.

Turn an old pair of jeans into a fun wreath to decorate your home with. Sew the jean scraps together and display your creation where everyone can see it.

Use an old crate to make breakfast in bed an even cozier affair. Sand down the box so it's smooth to the touch, and then add your favorite breakfast treats inside.

Put a clever new pattern on plain white plates. A little paint (and creativity!) will go a long way.

Turn empty old almond milk bottles into easy vases or plant holders.

Nowhere to put your beautiful blooms? Use mason jars! You can choose to spray-paint them or cover the jar with lace or some other material, but personally, I think it's the most beautiful as a vase when it's in its original translucent form.

Terrariums are cheap to make, and they're a nice way to add some greenery to the home or even the office. Using a mason jar to store the plant arrangement is a nice twist on the traditional terrarium holders.

If you have unused colorful construction paper in your home, turn the unwanted scraps into a beautiful paper flower chandelier. Simply cut out leaf and flower shapes and attach each piece to a hanging light or lampshade.

Put plastic straws to good use when you craft them into a playful lampshade. Just glue them to an existing lampshade, and watch it come to life.

Turn old books into new decor when you shape the pages into a beautiful wreath. Cut the pages into any shape you like, glue them together, and hang the wreath where everyone can enjoy it.

Make denim bracelets by wrapping scraps of your old jeans around slim bangles.

Make garlands out of book pages to use in parties or weddings. Here's a tutorial for how to make a paper garland.

Keep your desk nice and organized when you use household products like paper, cardboard, and glue to make handy containers for your everyday necessities.

Making your own candle topper is simpler than you might think: all it takes is cutting off the bottom of a used wine bottle and securing it over a tea light candle and base.

Turn a glass bottle into a modern-looking lamp when you add a bulb and a lamp shade.

Repurpose old mason jars into this handy organizer for your bathroom, kitchen, or playroom.

Cut up paper into strips and fold them into origami stars. You can fill up a glass jar and give it as a gift to a friend, use them as confetti, or turn them into home decor.

Corks make the perfect material for stamps. You can carve them, and they will be able to absorb ink well enough for stamping.

Take an old water jug and turn it into a great garden tool to water your plants.

Have an old t-shirt with a cute pattern lying around? Transform it into the perfect sundress for your little one with some help from a sewing machine and scissors.

For pieces unique to you, dress your Christmas tree up in homemade cork ornaments.

Punch little shapes out of leaves, paint chips, book pages, and anything else you can find to make lovely confetti for a party or wedding.

Use one, two, or three corks to make unique place-card holders for special events like a dinner party or a wedding. Cut a slit in the cork if you're only using one. Tie it up with a ribbon or stick a trinket on it to jazz it up.

You'll never misplace a page with an eye-catching paint chip bookmark.

Old tees are the perfect material for pet toys. The t-shirt material is soft, so it'll be something they can sleep with.

Have extra cardboard boxes? Upcycle them into gorgeous lanterns, perfect decor for any room.

Punch out pretty shapes in your paint chips and string them together to make a pretty ombré chandelier.

Create beautiful garlands from paint chips, like this egg garland that's perfect for Easter.

You can bake cakes in mason jars and give them away as party favors or gifts. These cake jars are also great for portion control!

A denim wallet will keep your money and important cards safe.

Have a little fun with your kids by playing a paint chip matching game. They'll be challenged by the ombré shades.

Turn craft supplies, old jewelry, beads, and other trinkets into brand new earrings by crafting them all together with glue and earrings backings.

Paint a cheese grater and hang your earrings on it for a fun and unusual earring stand.

Use a regular side table and an old bucket to create your own beverage station!

Turn mason jars into cute organization containers with a dash of paint and cute bow.

Rest your feet on a chic denim ottoman. Use recycled jeans to sew a simple pouf.

Tear your old t-shirt into strips and braid it into a cool headband that will look like it's store-bought.

Create a map pendant with a cutout of your favorite spot on the map. You can paint the piece with lacquer or glue a glass gem on top to make it more durable.

Make statement necklaces with denim for a bold piece of jewelry.

Take old door knobs, buttons, and other things toddlers love to touch and grab, then nail them to a piece of wood, and voila! A device to keep your toddler entertained for hours.

Have a big collection of plastic bags hiding under your kitchen sink? Upcycle them into a seriously beautiful and unique holiday wreath that only costs just a few dollars to make. Along with creating something to celebrate the season, you're repurposing something that you'd normally trash — and you can't beat that!

Turn an old alcohol bottle into a trendy and unique soap dispenser that everyone will love.

Braid plastic bags together to make a basket. Get more instructions here.

Paint the ends of wooden spoons and use them as garden markers.

Poke holes on the lid of a milk jug to turn it into a handy watering can. Just fill it up with water and pour away!

Turn construction paper into cute gift boxes with this DIY trick.

It's not the nightlight from your childhood, that's for sure, but these additions would make the perfect accents for an outdoor party. Find an old wine bottle and fill it with stringed bulbs so that the light reflects the color of the design. Look for small batteries or an outlet to make it light up.

Break up plastic spoons and stick them on a cardboard wreath form you can get from a crafts store. Paint them with a color you like, and stick a mirror in the center. Done and done!

Cut your t-shirt up into yarn, and then braid strips together. Once you have a long braid, coil it up, and sew it together so that it stays in that position. You can also make cozy throws with the same technique.

Setting your table to impress doesn't have to involve pricey napkin holders. Just wrap some twine or rope about each napkin and personalize everyone's place by adding a small initial detail to complete the look.

Upcycle your jeans into bibs that are durable and machine-washable.

Knit or braid the plarn into a floor mat for the perfect surface for wiping the dirt off of your shoes.

Get a frame and squeeze some corks into it for a creative and shabby-chic jewelry holder. If the frame is bigger, then you can even turn it into a bulletin board.

Whether you're dressing up a notebook, diary, or scrapbook, magazine scraps will make the covers come alive. Take your favorite images from old magazines and experiment by sticking them on the covers.

Roll book pages tightly and cut them into beads, which you can use to create lovely earrings.

Have tired old books lying around? Turn them into works of art to hang up or frame as decor.