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The kitchen is the heart of the home so why not take yours from special to spectacular with a few easy-to-do DIY projects that require little to no technical know-how? Really, it’s simple as pie (even simpler, actually) to use and reuse some everyday items for creative recycling that will pamper your pantry and cozy up your kitchen.
One-of-a-Kind Painted Tea Pot
An interesting young graphic designer who goes by the Internet name of Invisibly (A.K.A. Kerstin) decided to get crafty one day and applied porcelain paint to a boring old white teapot and ended up with a beautifully polka dotted pot perfect for brewing that morning cup of tea.
And it’s easier than you think. Kerstin simply used commercially available porcelain paint (see your local craft store or visit The Hobby Lobby for hundreds of hues) and a toothpick to create the perky design. Add in a little (or a lot) of patience and you too can have a pretty pot for your favorite non-potent potable.
Alternatively, if you prefer something other than polka dots, pick up a brush and get artsy. Glass paint also comes in marker form so if you’re capable of drawing a straight line you can do this project easily.
Artsy Dishes
Likewise, you can use glass paint—especially the marker type—to craft artsy cups, mugs, plates, platters and more all for pennies on the pound for what you’d pay in a home décor store. And glass paint is completely washable and dishwasher safe so you don’t have to worry about it coming off.
For example, instructions on A Bird’s Leap show you step-by-step how to craft DIY 19th Century Paris Cappuccino Cups. The design starts with a simple and elegant white mug, a glass paint marker, and some inspiration. Though the blogger made the mugs for her sister, you can put them in your own cupboard or gift them as you please. And just because Paris was her choice of destination doesn’t mean it has to be yours.
(Remember: if you’re just starting out, a simple design will be much easier to pull off well than a more complicated piece.)
Functional Fridge Magnets
Fridges. Everyone has one and often their covered with magnets—some funny, some cute, some heartwarming but rarely are these tchotchkes useful. But, as Martha Stewart’s website pointed out, all it takes is a magnet and an old tea, candy, or cookie tin and you have yourself a functional piece of decoration that dresses up your old Frigidaire.
The examples on the site show pens and pencils in decorative tea tins holding up shopping lists but don’t let your imagination be stifled.
Some tins are thin enough that you can simply stick that magnet on the inside and the bond will be strong enough to hold up under pressure. However, to be on the safe side, the liberal application of adhesive (such as hot glue) will keep your new decoration from tumbling down.
Creative Use of Temporary Wallpaper
Wallpaper is making a bit of a comeback after being forgotten for decades (thanks to some truly awful designed born of the 1970s). And manufacturers are getting creative as well with temporary wallpapers for those of us who just can’t commit.
But who says wallpaper has to stay on the wall?
Cupboard doors, found objects (such as old windows, produce crates, or even chalkboards), and even appliances can be covered in the stuff to give your kitchen a one-of-a-kind focal piece that attracts the eye the instant your guests arrive.
Instructions for covering your entire refrigerator with the temporary wallpaper can be found on the Aunt Peaches craft blog, if you’re so inclined.
As Aunt Peaches says: peel it, stick it, love it. Plus “it will make your neighbors think you’re interesting.”
Mason Jar Dish/Hand Soap Dispenser
Mason jars (or any type of jar for that matter) make wonderful DIY fodder for the crafty individual inside all of us. Recently, Liz from Love Grows Wild posted instructions for turning old Mason jars into functional and funky soap dispensers. All you need is spray paint, glue, a pump-type soap dispenser (such as the ones the hand/dish soap comes in already), and a jar of your choosing.
Basically Liz just punched a hole in the jar lid, glued (or screwed in her “method 1” approach) the soap pump to the lid, and filled the jar with the soap. The finished task is “adorable” and takes less than twenty minutes to complete.
Chalkboard Labels for Your Spice and Sundry Jars/Containers
Chalkboard paint is wonderful. It can add a bit of whimsy to any child’s room (or crafter’s den) but it doesn’t have to stay on the walls. You can use chalkboard paint to add stylish labels to your spice jars, your storage boxes, your drawers, shelves, or even your refrigerator!
Canisters that most of us have sitting on our countertops will look extra cozy when they’ve been dressed up with customized chalkboard paint labels.
Alternatively, if you don’t trust your craft skills, you can paint paper, cut out the design, and simply glue it to the jar with spray adhesive (see Crème De La Craft for instructions).
Under-Sink Tension Rod Cleaner Hanger
Chances are the cabinets under your sink aren’t exactly neat and tidy. Even if you try to keep them straight, it’s a chore in and of itself. However, you can use simple tension rods to create out-of-the-way storage for most of your kitchen cleaners. Simply insert a tension rod cross-wise in the cabinet and screw it tight. Next, hang your spray bottles right over the rod to get them up and off the bottom of the storage space. Now you’ve saved room, organized, and put all of your cleaning supplies within easy reach.
Thanks to Jen at A Thousand Words for this DIY idea.
Reuse Coffee Creamer Containers
If you drink coffee at home, chances are you’re using some sort of creamer for it—say Coffeemate or International Delight. If you’re not, someone you know is. But what do you do with all of those empty creamer bottles? Throw them in the recycling? Why not use them for fabulous sealable storage for snacks and other kitchen essentials?
Simply wash out the container, peel off the label (so you can see what’s inside), or paint the container (with plastic-safe and food-safe paint) and label it for a fun and functional storage solution!
Thanks to ThriftyFun for this one.
Get Crafting!
Now that you’ve been inspired, see what you can make of your kitchen this weekend. Take these ideas and use them as-is or riff off them and add your personal creative touch. Sooner than later you’ll have a functional and inspirational kitchen that deserves to be the heart of your home.