If you’re looking for some fun DIY projects that will help you create functional items for your home from recycled materials, you have plenty of options. Whether you’re creating unique storage solutions or wanting to make a thoughtful gift for someone, check out a few of these crafty ideas.

Art Supply Containers

Image via Flickr by nathanmac87

If you have young kids, you probably have an endless number of plastic baby wipe containers. You probably also feel like your children’s art supplies are always getting lost in a disorganized mess. Instead of throwing away those baby wipe containers, repurpose them into art supply containers. You can decorate the outside with contact paper and label what’s in each container. Then the crayons, markers, pencils, and paints all have a proper home.

Egg Carton Lamp

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Instead of throwing away those cardboard egg cartons, use them to create a lovely lamp. Simply cut out the cups from egg cartons and trim edges to look like flower petals. Next, use spray paint to cover the inside and outside of the cups. Take a string of lights and push each bulb through the hole in chicken wire, then use floral wire to secure the lights. Roll the chicken wire around a cylinder and secure the ends before removing the cylinder. Finally, cut an X through the bottom of each cup and push one cup over each bulb.

Cereal Box Desk Organizer

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Rein in your chaotic mess of a desk by recycling cereal boxes to create a desk organizer. Simply take a few cereal boxes and cut them down to the sizes you need. If you’re creating two rows, make the boxes that go in the back row taller than the front row. You can even add some toilet paper or paper towel rolls for pen or pencil holders. Last, use scrapbook paper to cover your boxes and rolls, and secure them to a plaque or tray.

Cinnamon Stick Candle Holder

If you use a lot of cinnamon sticks to cook, Trucks & Parts shares a DIY cinnamon stick candle holder that reuses those sticks and makes a great gift. All you have to do is secure the cinnamon sticks to a candle using rubber bands. Next, wrap some twine or ribbon over the rubber bands, and you have a thoughtful gift that costs very little to put together. Best of all, every time your gift recipient burns the candle, the heat will release the light and pleasant scent of natural cinnamon.

Holder for Charging Cellphone

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A plastic lotion bottle can create a convenient cellphone caddy to hold it while it’s charging. Simply find a bottle slightly larger than your phone, cut out a caddy according to the size of your phone, and cover the bottle in spray paint, scrapbook paper, or fabric. Now you have a creative and organized place to hold your cellphone while it charges.

Not only are these DIY projects fun to make, they also recycle everyday materials, so you can keep a little more waste out of the landfills.

What are your favorite DIY items to make from functional objects?

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