JARS AND BASKETS AND BUCKETS, OH MY (DIY)! Repurposing containers

My dear readers! Today I am thrilled to have my friend Dana from Me, Myself & DIY blog here on L’Essenziale to share some really cool ideas on how to repurpose ordinary jars, baskets & buckets. Enjoy!

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Items like these make great repurpose projects for DIY decorating and organization.  Not only because of the price (in many cases free) but because they can easily be transformed into something pretty.

Baskets

It’s no new news that baskets are popular for decoration and storage.  However, they are often really pricey.   It turns out that some of my favorite baskets come from gifts that people have given me (i.e. FREE) or from thrift shops.  Yes, THRIFT SHOPS are full of baskets!  Don’t be put off by the color either, many wicker baskets can be spray painted.

Here’s one that I bought at a thrift shop a few years ago for a couple dollars.  I have been eyeing up the “paint dipped baskets” in magazines.  I taped this up and sprayed the bottom with airless paint sprayer.  Now it is part of my fall décor on my front porch holding a beautiful mum.

Jars

Mason jars aren’t the only game in town.  Spaghetti sauce and many other foods are often packaged in glass jars.   Whenever I get an interesting jar while grocery shopping, I wash it and put it aside.  You never know when you might need it!  For example, this summer I used a couple spaghetti sauce jars for last minute table décor.

Glass bowl vases

Ok, so these are a dime a dozen.  You get a flower arrangement – you get a glass bowl.  You can also go to the dollar store and get them for a buck a piece.  There’s the usual purposes; floating candles, arrangements…a goldfish?  (Just kidding!)  But I’ve tried to think of new ways to use these typical bowls.  This past spring I created a table arrangement and planted sage and rosemary right in them.  The dirt in the glass gave the table a real garden feel.  I was so happy with the result!

Paint buckets

This was a totally new find for me!  I think I spent around $4 a bucket at the home improvement store.  How fun right?  I used them for centerpieces at my hubby’s birthday party recently but then I stacked them right back up in my basement.  Paint isn’t going into these pails – I can tell you that.  I look forward to finding different things to do with them.

Plastic planters

Don’t give up on these!  (Ok, well, give up on the really cheap ones – but not the decent ones.)  When you buy certain size plants or plant arrangements – you often get semi-heavy plastic planters.

One set that I purchased had an interesting pattern but I didn’t like the color.  I spray painted it and TADA!

I also discovered that some matte plastic planters can be written on in chalk. (and easily washed off)  So check out how I’m storing my paint gear now…

Ok, now it’s your turn.  While you are decorating or organizing this fall, take a look around your home and see what old containers you have.  And then, I’d love to hear what you do with them!

PS:  Thanks to Anna for inviting me to guest post here on L’Essenziale!

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If you like these ideas and want to discover more, please follow Dana on her blog, Facebook and Pinterest!