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30 Creative and Useful Trash to Treasure Projects

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These 30 trash to treasure projects are packed with super creative ideas for giving new life to old pieces headed for the trash.

Upcycling old junk is one of my absolute favorite things to do. There is just something magical about giving things that are old and unwanted a fresh new purpose.

And when you can turn old junk into something that’s both beautiful and useful, it’s a real homerun.

Some of these trash to treasure makeovers started out as literal trash, some were rescued from donation piles, and some were found at yard sales and thrift stores for super cheap.

No matter where they were found, they were all cast off and unwanted.

But not anymore!

From furniture to storage to lighting and more, there are trash to treasure ideas here for every room in the house. I’ve included some of my own best projects along with some of my favorites from other bloggers so get ready for some major inspiration!

collage of trash to treasure projects before the makeover.

30 Amazing Trash to Treasure Projects

These thirty trash to treasure projects will have you looking at your donate and trash piles in a whole new way. Filled with creative, smart ideas for upcycling old castoffs into all kinds of beautiful things for your home that are actually useful, this collection is sure to get your creativity flowing. Just click the links below to see the mind-blowing befores along with the whole transformation process.

Photo Credit: maggieoverbystudios.com

DIY Cat House

See how this vintage radio was turned into a cat house as part of a laundry room makeover. You have to see the before of this makeover to appreciate just how amazing it is!

Photo Credit: www.songbirdblog.com

DIY yarn wall hanging. An unexpected thrift store upcycle

Yarn wall hangings are extremely popular and can be seen at just about every home store. See how this blogger made her own using an unexpected thrift store find!

A Totally Unique Upcycled Firewood Holder

You won't believe what I used to make this beautiful firewood holder. It's one of my favorite trash to treasure projects!

Photo Credit: bloomintheblack.com

How to Make a DIY Fluted Wood Planter

See how a $2 empty gelato cup was transformed into this stylish fluted wood planter.

Photo Credit: refreshliving.us

DIY Magnetic Knife Rack 

Make a really cool DIY magnetic knife rack from a vintage ruler. This is such a creative and inexpensive idea for your kitchen.

What would you do with...an empty globe stand

Who would have thought an empty globe stand would become the perfect paper towel holder!

Photo Credit: renovatedfaith.com

DIY Windmill Wall Decor 

Turn old ceiling fan blades into a popular farmhouse style DIY windmill wall decor. These windmills can be very pricey to buy, but you can make your own for a fraction of the cost with this tutorial!

DIY Wire Basket

This farmhouse style wire basket started out as something completely different!

Photo Credit: www.2thesunnyside.com

DIY Wagon Shelf

You only need a few inexpensive supplies to turn an old red wagon into a super creative DIY wagon shelf. This is so fun for a kids room!

How to Repurpose a Vintage Sewing Machine Table as a Desk

This cute little desk is actually a mash-up of a broken sewing machine table and a worn out wood bench. Now they've been given new life as a beautiful, functional desk.

Photo Credit: homemadeheather.com

DIY Accent Table Tutorial 

This gorgeous accent table was made for just $12! Doesn't it look like something you would find at a high end home store?

Photo Credit: www.supermomnocape.com

DIY Thread Storage Stool

See how to turn an old stool into a handy DIY thread storage stool for cheap!

How To Turn A Vintage Camera Into A Lamp

I love collecting vintage cameras and decided it was time to turn one into something useful! Learn how to easily turn a vintage camera into a one-of-a-kind lamp or nightlight.

Photo Credit: meeganmakes.com

DIY Flower Basket from a Spice Rack

You know those old wire spice racks you can find for cheap? Turn one into a beautiful flower basket with this easy DIY tutorial!

Easy DIY Side Table 

Make a useful and pretty DIY pedestal table from an unexpected (and very cheap) find!

Photo Credit: michellejdesigns.com

DIY Shutter Headboard 

This creative DIY shutter headboard was made from garage sale shutters. Now it's a beautiful focal point for a bedroom and It even has built-in lamps!

Photo Credit: sustainmycrafthabit.com

Step-by-step tutorial for a DIY tufted bench!!!

This DIY bench was upcycled from an old wooden butcher block table. What an incredible trash to treasure makeover!

DIY Play Kitchen 

Old boxy entertainment centers are everywhere and don't have much of a purpose these days. This one got new life as a fun play kitchen for little ones, complete with lots of of fun details.

Photo Credit: www.artsychicksrule.com

Retro TV Cabinet to Repurposed Bar

Turn an old retro TV cabinet into a fun bar cabinet with a French wine graphic. Even better, you can download the graphic for free.

Photo Credit: diycandy.com

DIY Table Lamp from Recycled Ribbon Spools

The creativity of this DIY table lamp is incredible! Can you believe it is made from recycled ribbon spool?

Vintage Dresser Bathroom Vanity

This dresser had definitely seen better days before I gave it a makeover and a whole new purpose as a bathroom vanity.

Photo Credit: familyfocusblog.com

DIY Dresser Into A Chair And Ottoman

 Take an old dresser and turn it a fabulous matching dresser chair and ottoman. This is such a stunning piece of furniture!!

How to Completely Transform an Ugly Light Fixture

You've got to see the before of this upcycled light fixture to believe it. What started out as a cheap but ugly light from the Habitat Restore is now beautiful and modern with just a few dollars of supplies and less than an hour of work.

Photo Credit: bloomintheblack.com

How to Make Woven Leather Napkin Rings

See how an old leather skirt was turned into gorgeous woven leather napkin rings. Such a unique idea!

Photo Credit: thirtysomethingsupermom.com

How to Make Your Own Garden Light Post Easy Upcycle

An old lamp purchased for one dollar was turned into a beautiful DIY Garden Light Post. This is such a great upcycle and will look great on a porch or patio.

How to make a gorgeous buffalo plaid farmhouse wreath

This beautiful farmhouse wreath all started with an old plaid shirt that no longer fit!

Photo Credit: www.martysmusings.net

Repurposed Pie Pans into a Photo Display

This repurposed pie pan display is such a great way to display favorite family recipes and photos.

Industrial Family Command Center

This family command center was easy and inexpensive to make using an old window and some vintage letter stencils. Now it's the perfect way to keep our family organized.

Photo Credit: www.organizedclutter.net

Upcycled and Repurposed Garage Sale Metal Card File

An old garage sale metal card file is completely transformed with legs and a pretty buffalo check design!

Photo Credit: www.makingmanzanita.com

DIY Chair Bench For Your Backyard

You can find old chairs for cheap and sometimes even free. This pair of chairs now has a totally new life as a backyard bench.

Now I have a major itch to hit the thrift stores…but I think I should probably just start with my own basement stash! I’m pretty sure I have plenty of things down there just waiting for their own trash-to-treasure transformation!

Want even more upcycling inspiration? Be sure to check out this collection of my 20 personal best trash-to-treasure makeovers.

I’d love for you to share this post on Pinterest!

collage of trash to treasure projects after they've been transformed with text: 30 amazing trash to treasure ideas.
carrie signature in blue
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2 Comments

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Comments

  1. Michelle says

    August 19, 2021 at 10:37 pm

    Such fun Upcycled ideas. I really like your light transformation with the thrifted shade. Thanks for including our wagon shelf project.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 26, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you! I love that wagon!

      Reply

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