Thinking about redecorating your home? Instead of going shopping for new home décor items and accessories, consider whether you can make what you need by getting a little crafty instead.

With a bit of DIY magic, many of the items that we use and then throw away can instead live brand new lives as unique upcycled creations. Here are three DIY upcycling ideas for turning old items you may have otherwise discarded into functional new household objects.

Transform cardboard boxes into chic baskets

If you often shop online, then chances are you’re regularly sending cardboard boxes off to the recycling bin. Consider saving some of these boxes if you’re in need of some new storage baskets for holding magazines, keys, or other knick-knacks. All you need is the box, some jute string, and a hot glue gun.

Start by removing the box flaps, and then wrap the jute around the outside of the box. You can wrap from either the bottom or the top, just make sure you glue the jute down along the way. When you’re finished with the outside, you can add a fabric liner to the inside. Fold the fabric about an inch or two over the top of the box and sew it to the jute, and you’ve got yourself a chic jute basket on the cheap.

Repurpose old coffee cans into new planters

If you go through a lot of coffee cans, then you can save a few of them and transform them into a cute set of planters that you can set up on your windowsill, mantel, or anywhere else you’d like some more greenery.

Prepare the cans by removing any labels and residue. Some dish soap and scrubbing should do the trick nicely. Once the cans have dried, you can use spray paint to turn them any colour or pattern of colours you’d like. Use masking tape between different coats of paint to create different designs. If you’d also like to add a rope handle to your new planters, then use a 3/8 inch drill bit to drill a hole about an inch from the top on each side of the can.

Turn an old knife block into a crayon holder

A crayon holder can be a convenient accessory for a young child who is discovering their love of drawing. An old knife block that holds crayons rather than knives will make the crayons easy to see, easy to pick out, and easy to put back when your child is finished.

To create a crayon holder, you’ll simply need to drill a series of holes into the top of the knife block. A 3/8 inch drill bit should be about the right size to hold most standard crayons. Take your time and drill slowly, as the existing knife slats can cause the wood to chip easily. When you’re finished, you can use furniture paint to decorate your child’s new crayon block, and you can let your burgeoning new artist help you out.

Once you’ve caught that DIY bug, you’ll have an easy time coming up with new upcycling project ideas. Not only will each of your DIY pieces have its own unique story to tell but they’ll likely save you some money on home décor and accessories as well. Plus, getting crafty is just plain fun!