Martha Stewart has 700+ new uses for old things on her website. I decided I’d share my favorite double-duty decorating ideas so you don’t have to spend hours looking through them!
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| 1. | Vase as Picture Frame Display family photos inside tall cylindrical glass vases of various sizes for an unexpected arrangement on a bookcase or mantel |
| 2. | Paper Doily as a Cake Decoration You baked the cake. Now you’re expected to frost it, too? Take a break from the sticky stuff and use a doily to stencil on a pretty sugar topping. Press a doily flat on top of a round cake and, using a fine-mesh sieve, sprinkle confectioners’ sugar liberally over the surface. Use two hands to carefully remove the doily post-dusting. |
| 3. | Cookie Cutter as Candle Stencil Repurpose mini alphabet cookie cutters as monogramming tools for pillar candles. Hold the candle steady, position the letter, and tap it lightly with a hammer. Do just an initial or go wild and spell out MR AND MRS or MERRY CHRISTMAS. |
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| 4. | Picture Frame as Dry-Erase Board Let’s see—you need milk, eggs…and something to replace the stark white memo board that’s sucking all the style from your otherwise charming kitchen. Frame a pretty piece of fabric or paper, then write temporary to-dos on the glass with a dry-erase marker.Note: Melinda did this for multiple to-do lists. One for individual tasks, one for joint tasks with her husband, one for the crafts she’s started or needs to start, and one for her work projects. Have fun with what you put behind the glass – use scrapbook paper, wallpaper, or put a fancy title on top so you know what each board is for! |
| 5. | Brooches as Refrigerator Decoration Instead of tossing out seldom worn or broken brooches, remove the pins with a wire cutter, glue a magnet to the back of each, then use them to mount postcards, children’s artwork, or this week’s grocery list. |
| 6. | Wallpaper as Clock Customizer Remove the clock’s plastic front or back and detach the hands from the battery mechanism. Using the existing face as a template, trace the outline on the back of a piece of wallpaper. Apply a multipurpose adhesive to the original face, then affix the new one. Reassemble and hang for a unique design that makes a statement time after time. |
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| 7. | Clothespin as Holiday Card Display Adhere a wide grosgrain ribbon to the wall with double-sided mounting tape, then attach holiday cards up and down it for a jolly–and changeable—seasonal exhibit. Both regular-size and mini clothespins will work.Note: You can do this for any occasion where you receive cards, or display photos for a birthday celebration. |
| 8. | Toothbrush Holder as Vase Display individual blooms (peonies and ranunculus work well) in each hole and fill with water for a foolproof, evenly spaced arrangement.Note: Have fun with the toothbrush holders – reuse what you have, pick out pretty ones from your local Target or Wal-Mart, pick some up from a thrift or antique store, or paint and decorate Dollar Store finds! |
| 9. | Permanent Marker as Lampshade Decoration To customize a standard linen shade, trim the seamed edges with a permanent marker in a shade that matches your decor. If you don’t have a steady hand, use painter’s tape to outline the area to be colored.Note: Have fun with colors, metallic markers, stencils and more! |
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| 10. | Linen Napkin as Photo Album Cover When the rest of the set is too stained to use, salvage a cloth napkin by turning it into a slipcover for your store-bought brag book with a length of ribbon and some fabric glue. |
| 11. | Shoes as Growth Chart Record how quickly your child has grown by lining up shoes in a shadow box and labeling them with the appropriate ages. This growth chart is way prettier than pencil marks on the wall. |
| 12. | Tape as Plaster Securer Keep a plaster wall from chipping when you hang a picture by placing a small piece of tape over the spot where you plan to hammer in the nail |
Want to see all of Martha’s ideas? Visit her Double-Duty Decorating Ideas index.
Do you have any favorite ways to re-use things you already have to decorate your home? Share it in the comments below!
4 Comments
Amy G.
Awesome post! However there is something up with your “related posts” section – I see 3 DSC crafts and one link to “NYPD investigating serial rapist” article!
Pop Art Minis - Joni
So many cute ideas….love the shoe box growth chart! Too cute! POP ART MINIS
Caitlyn
I had friends sign my lampshade in college – this would have worked better if I was more of a people person, but it was still pretty neat
Marilyn @ Lipgloss and Spandex
Love these ideas! So cute.