We now have access to tons of ideas and lots of great inspiration to make cool things, and the following people didn’t let the fact that they had junk – sometimes literal, actual garbage – keep them from showing off their artistic skills. Take a look at some of these amazing creations, and get inspired!
A Cast-Off Masterpiece
Sharpening a pencil to perfection is step one of writing in your favorite notebook or beginning a new sketch. But what to do with all of those pencil shavings? It can be a hassle to clean up, and even if you're careful, you can find yourself surrounded with little pieces after going straight to the trash can.
One creative genius, however, decided one man's shavings is another woman's dress. Rather than trashing her pencil shavings, she carefully gathered certain shavings, both big and small, and used them to create a multi-media piece that is stunning to look at. Let nothing be wasted in your pursuit of art.
The Perfect Flower Wall to Spring
What appears at first glance to be a cool piece of wall décor, this bed spring also doubles as a planter that is perfect for creeping vines, ferns, and more. One clever Do It Yourselfer decided that instead of throwing this old item away (and likely paying to do so since it's a bigger item.)
He would paint it a slick orange-gold color, lean it up against a little bit of stucco, and start letting those plants flourish. It's impressive how well the old piece of furniture works as a bit of odd outdoor decoration. Let the innovation continue!
Because They're Pronounced the Same Way
If you're looking for a cute way to hold your plants inside, it's hard to be any cuter than flour sifters. Instead of throwing these outdated kitchen tools out, they became home to a range of flours. The sifters have been given new life. With a little bit of manipulation, such as putting another container underneath the sifter to hold the water and soil, you too can create one of these.
It's a simple and inventive hack that means you can keep your grandmother's heirloom flour sifter even after it's broken beyond compare. If you don't have one hanging around the house, head to your local thrift store and see if you can find one there.
For the Literary Chef
Who says storage can't look good? If you want to add some personal flair to your kitchen, you can do what this crafty person did and make a few books into a unique and memorable DIY knife block.
If you're a fan of books, you might not want to take a knife to your favorite books, but finding extra covers at a used bookstore or a garage sale means you can pick and choose what you are looking for. You don't even have to do a big amount of work – bind the books up in twine, and slip the blades of your knives between the pages to keep them secure in a knife holder that is sure to wow.
Recycle Your Waste
There are lots of ways to reduce the waste you create, or at least use it for something less than just throwing out. Take, for instance, this adorable little planter. Take a cardboard juice carton or milk carton and make it into something you can keep around the house to give a little bit of color and life to something you might have just thrown away.
Just cut off the top of the carton and wrap the outside in fabric or yarn. You can customize it according to your style. Now you have an easy way to grow flowers and herbs even inside the home. Give little kids a chance to learn how to take care of plants in a way that doesn't require too much cleanup.
Wi-Fi or Die
If you're a fan of the Iron Throne from “Game of Thrones,” then this little phone cradle will have you cheering. It certainly wasn't the most necessary thing to make, but it's undeniably cool and very impressive. There were quite a lot of supplies needed to create this item, including over six hundred plastic cocktail swords, wood, glue, a metal clamp, and spray paint.
From the pictures, we see a lot of work went into it, but to us, it was time well-spent. Treat your cell phone like a king, but be warned – the next model is always around the corner.
A Room for the Household Dog
If you're a fan of cute dog pictures, then BEHOLD. He's a happy-looking guy, and who can blame him? It seems that his owner took a little crawl space that was going unused and converted it into an indoor dog house to give this big doggy a place to call his or her own. The owner, finally with his own place to live, decided his best pal needed a place two.
The pictures you see show the work he did, including cutting a smooth hole in a wall, making the interior comfy and cozy, adding a simple sliding door, and painting it red. That might be the happiest dog we've ever seen, and we're here for it.
Less Expensive Than You Might Think
If you took a single glance at this floor, you might think it was done by an auteur craftsman, who spent weeks, months, or even years creating something like this. You'd be wrong since all it took was a big (BIG) pile of pennies, some glue, some grout, and some epoxy.
The total cost of the pennies came to about a hundred and thirty dollars according to the creator, and if you have the time to do it and an old floor that needs to look a little better, then you might think about trying your own hand at this cost-effective and unique option.
Keep the Air Clean and Make Something Nice
A few supplies can go a really long way. A young couple, finding themselves with the space in their sunroom and a drive to make something rather unique and eye-catching. They took a straight-ish limb from a tree, hung it up with tons of green string drilled into the wood, and added a few little pieces of plant life.
It's a pretty piece of decoration that hangs on the wall without taking too much space in what might be a small area. Plus, the little plant life sitting in the sun will help clean up the air and introduce more oxygen for more pleasant breathing.
Some of the Most Special Wedding Favors
Weddings have become a creative outlet for a lot of people to make them memorable and fun to the happy couple, the wedding party, and the guests. Weddings can be super expensive, so instead of shelling out big bucks for wedding favors to guests, groomsmen, or bridesmaids, one groom decided to put his craft skills to good use.
An enterprising Imgur user-designed, printed, and cast both bottle openers and bottle stoppers. The gifts are super cute, and it's clear they're made with love—the perfect kind of gift that goes with a wedding.
Keep the Holidays Cheap
The Holiday season is one full of joy for a lot of people, but it can also come with quite a big bill. If you're trying to find ways to save a buck here or there (and trust us, that can go a long way), then why not do what this crafty guy did.
Using a stencil and some copper, he made some leaf shapes, hit them with a polishing cloth, and did a little bit of detailing to make some fun, unique Christmas tree ornaments that he could not only hang on his own tree but a gift to friends and family. Making a gift yourself makes them worth more in my eyes, and plenty of people would be delighted to find these leaves under their trees.
Modern Woodworking
We're all familiar with key fobs that we handle to lock or unlock our cars, but we also need the keys that get the engine started. One man got crafty and decided he didn't want to use up too much pocket space with both items – using woodworking skills and some wiring knowledge; he combined the two items.
The fob is super stylish, and we wouldn't mind if we had one for ourselves. There are lock and unlock buttons, as well as what looks like a trunk button and a panic button, and the key works just as they always have.
Cover the Walls With Your Favorite Books
This is one of the easier things on the list to do if you want to try out your hand at some crafting. It's no less creative, however, and it's a great way to liven up the reading room or the library if you're a big fan of books. Instead of getting paint and rollers, why not liven up your room with pages?
This stylistic choice is making a comeback recently, though we recommend you leave it to just one or two rooms and make sure it's just an accent wall, or it might come off as a little too crazy instead of cool and unique.
Ride-On
It might look like this sculpture is a little bit of modern art about the use of transportation in our society, or something like that. But, this creation does actually move and works just like a real bicycle, though it looks like it leaves a little to be desired in the comfort department. Somebody made this all on their own.
Hopefully, the person who created it does actually ride it around town because that's the kind of thing we want to see. Do bikes have to be street legal? If you have the supplies and the metalworking knowledge, it's possible for you to create your own homemade bike! Just be sure to wear a helmet.
Raise Your Plants Without Spending Much
Planters are one of the more popular choices when it comes to DIY creations. It's possible to make really cute pots for plants big and small with just items that you have lying around, and you might not even need to spend money.
The woman created concrete pots using old soy milk containers, a single-use coffee cup, a piece of concrete, and some paint. If we made a planter that came out so well, we would be happy about it.
Lift Your Pans to the Sky
A kitchen needs simplicity. If you're in a busy restaurant, or you're just trying to cook for your family, you need to be able to get the items you need without hunting through cabinets and cupboards. The rack we see here is a clean, streamlined item that has plenty of space for all the pots and pans.
The contrast between the cast iron and the shiny cooper looks great, too. Rather than buy an expensive rack or keep all the items stacked together in a confused jumble, someone decided to save a few dollars and make this nifty rack with some hooks, some chains, and a piece of wood.
The Copper Rose
Copper is a popular choice when it comes to crafting, mostly due to the cheap prices and ease of use. Every copper creation we have on this list is wonderful, and these copper roses are no exception. Copper might be easy to play around with compared to other metals, but creating something as unique and exquisite as this shiny rose.
Take a look at the detail on every single layer, and you'll soon be just as impressed as us. It's a little hard to tell from the pictures how big the rose is, but whether large or small, we think it's excellent.
Heavenly Bodies
How did Reddit user u/barryabrams create this excellent piece of artwork? All it took was a poster of Mars and a piece of rusty copper. Instead of just printing the poster onto a piece of paper like the rest of us, Barry took it one step farther, printing it directly onto the piece of metal that has strategic rust in all the right places.
Thinking outside the box is what makes a craft like this special, and we want to applaud Barry for his creativity. It makes the Earth's closest planet neighbor look extra-special, and anybody who walks into the area where it's hung is sure to spend some time appreciating it.
Resin Coffee Table
You've likely seen resin tables before, but have you ever looked into all the steps it requires to make a unique and beautiful item like this? Not only is the final result jaw-dropping, but we're in awe of the hard work that goes into each one of these tables, from finding the perfect piece of wood or crafting one yourself to hollowing out the center.
From creating the perfect color to fill the center to covering that same eye-popping center with epoxy to protect it from damage. We want one. This guy made his own instead of buying a mass-producer version from the store, and we're starting to wonder if he takes orders.
So Colorful
If your mother is hard to shop for, especially since you have Mother's Day to think about as well, then you might want to try what this daughter did for her mom. According to the creator of this popcorn bowl, it took her over twenty hours to create, which is quite the investment, but start now, and you might be done by next May.
It took a lot of mixing resin, shaping, and sanding. But what could be better for a mom that has spent her whole life loving you? It's pretty and made with love—the perfect item for Mother's Day.
Making Mother-in-Law Proud
Pop culture jokes that nobody gets along with their mother-in-law, but there are just as many, if not more, instances of mothers-in-law being beloved just like a natural mom. Such is the case with the designer and creator of this beach wheelchair, which cost him about $140 to make.
The MIL in question had a bad hip and was sad she wouldn't be able to hang out with the fam at the beach during the Fourth of July. You might think it's a little too much to spend, but these kinds of wheelchairs often go for over a full grand!
Why Monopoly, Though?
Some people just love to game. One enterprising craftsman decided he would go the extra mile for the game he and his fiancée bonded over Monopoly. Somehow. He whipped up a bespoke board with included storage space and even created his own dice.
Then, he used the game to propose. We're a bunch of softies at heart, and this just tugs on the heartstrings. We hope she said yes – he's not only demonstrated knowledge of a craft but a healthy dose of sentimentality and a great personal touch. We do hope that they branch out to other games once they get married.
She'll Never Take it Off
As far as milestones in your life go, getting engaged is one of the biggest. A big milestone deserves a big stone, but engagement rings can cost a life-sized bundle. If you have the skills or the time, do what this guy did, and make your own.
You'll still need a gem, though buying one loose is sure to make it cheaper, and the crafting skills, but if you're as successful as this guy, your chosen honey is sure to love it. You can choose the right color, the right size, and the right design and turn it into an immediate heirloom.
The Rules are Out the Window
As we're looking at these pictures, it's starting to become clear that you can just make anything out of anything. For instance, according to these pictures, you can make a bowl of cereal into a cereal bowl. Apparently, all it takes is cereal, epoxy – which we are starting to think is some kind of miracle material – and a pair of bowls as a mold; you too can make a container out of your favorite cereal.
Lucky Charms, Trix, Fruity Pebble. Heck, get back to basics with a Cheerio bowl. The world is your oyster. Or your cereal bowl. We're contractually obligated to have one bad pun per article.
A Master at Many Things
If you like heading into the great outdoors and hunting down game with your trusty bow and arrow – or you're a regular at the Ren Faire and need to update your look – then a little bit of leatherworking can go a long way.
The person behind these pictures did it all, using a supreme piece of leather to create a beautiful maroon bow holster and arrow quiver. Peep that detail – someone surely spent a long time on this. We suspect that it will take a while to get your hands under control in order to make it look that good, but you can do it too.
Watching the Fish
What are we looking at here? It's not the latest show from shark week. Instead, somebody scooped the guts out of the old television and replaced it with a glass case that has enough space for a few fish. Depending on how old you are, you might not have ever seen a television that looks like this, but yup.
That's how they worked back in the day. A button for power, two buttons for the channel, and a dial for volume. Reddit user u/UnicornProfessional calls this creation a “Telarium.” Hey now, we're the only ones allowed to make puns around here. Watch yourself.
Old Furniture Becomes New Again
We're all about taking something old and giving it new life. Just because something has become a little broken down or not perfect for the intended use doesn't mean you have to throw it away. Take, for instance, this old piece of furniture. Once upon a time, it held a big, heavy TV, shelves full of VCRs and stereo equipment, and had cupboards full of VHS tapes, game controllers, and extra cords.
Thanks to flat-screen TVs, wireless controllers, and streaming, such entertainment systems have become outdated. Why not do what this person did, and turn it into a kitchen playset for kids who want to have a little bit of make-believe fun dishing out delicious treats?
Bringing Something Good to the Table
Now, that's not a bad coffee table to start out with. Good construction, handsome wood. The shape leaves a little to be desired. Not if you're a model train enthusiast and need a new base for your tiny town.
Look at all the detail that went into this mountain and forest creation – the person responsible for this was probably used to using every little thing he or she could make it into something better. A big, solid-looking table like that is going to get immediate use, and look – it even has storage space underneath! All aboard the crafting train!
This Clock is Timeless
Unique, handmade clocks have become in vogue in recent years. They not only help you stretch your craft muscles, but they get you into the mechanics of something that has been around for hundreds of years, and they're even functional items you'll end up using almost every day.
This Reddit user took it one step further by carving out a square of wood, adding some LED lights, and programming different words to appear at the appropriate times. It can't tell down-to-the-minute time, but it still notifies you about the hours and the general space within. You don't really need to know the exact minute, do you? This memorable clock says no.
Making Some Colorful Music
Colored pencils are a popular choice for making something special, including popcorn bowls and 3D art, and this item is another addition to the genre. Unless you make this item yourself, you'll never see anything like it since it requires a huge collection of colored pencils stuck together and carved in the shape of a guitar.
Of course, it took a lot more work due to the wiring, the measuring, and the tuning equipment, so we wonder how good this instrument sounds. It might not be the kind of item to take on a long tour, but in a pinch, you could whip out a blazing solo that uses all the colors of the rainbow.
This Child Will be Ready to Fly
We've all seen these foot-powered plastic cars that young kids ride in with glee. Once the kids have grown up, however, they become a little too big to keep around. While they're often gifted to other children or sold, one crafty person wanted to go back to Disney roots and turn one of these cars into Dumbo, the flying elephant.
He turned it into a unique and wonderful hand-me-down for his niece. He could have just gifted as the car was, and we think she might have been happy, but why take the chance? Go the extra mile, and make sure it's a gift she'll love.
The Wheels of Time Keep Turning
We love a good clock. Even the ugliest clock is functional and keeps you on-time, but why not push the envelope and make your ticker something that your guests will rave about? Reddit user u/Matt-Zufelt made a clock using, coincidentally, something called time sets – a timing belt, like the one you have on your bicycle.
It's a great little item, and it looks to us like Matt is a DIY master. You have to know what you're doing to create something this handsome and useful. If you manage to replicate this wonderful item, your home will be full of calming ticking before too long.
Don't Let an Opportunity Pass You By
If you're taking a stroll and see a piece of wood sitting by the garbage, you might have a place for it in your home! One man's trash is another man's treasure, as they say, and like the person who took this piece of wood to create a shelf-slash-pot holder, the only limit is your imagination and need.
It's just an ordinary piece of wood, but it added some decoration and some utility to the kitchen. If you get yourself into the do-it-yourself mindset, you'll start to see opportunities for making helpful, handy, and good-looking items everywhere you go and from everything you see.
Just Make it Yourself!
When we need something, we're used to buying it. Now, usually, this makes sense for things like cars, clothes, and pharmaceuticals, but it doesn't have to be that way all the time. If you want a small item to carry your tools, some drinks, or anything else, it isn't too hard to make your own caddy.
There are lots of instructional videos or web pages online for you to peruse, and if you're really interested in getting one, you'll probably end up saving money since all you have to buy is the wood (as long as you have the necessary tools). The woodworking we see here is an inspiration to us all.
Make the Pets Happy
A loyal hound deserves a gift every now and then, and what could a pooch possibly like better than a better way to eat? Take a piece of wood, cut a pair of holes into it, add some metal legs, and you have a bespoke food and water dish for your dog.
It doesn't even take a DIY master to come up with something like this, just a few supplies, a little bit of time, and a dog who won't mind waiting. That last part might be the most difficult, now that we think about it. Sit, boy. Stay.
You're Ready to Reach
You can't get the books on the top shelf, the plates on the highest cupboard, or the freezing treats in the freezer. We get it. You could risk life and limb by climbing on the counter or another piece of furniture or shell out to buy a stool, but why not make your own?
If your tall friends are busy too much, get into the workshop and do what this Reddit user did by taking scraps from other projects and piecing them together in just the right way. With the right hinges, you can store it almost anywhere, and it's sure to make working in the kitchen – or anywhere else – safer and easier.
Play Your Way
Reddit user u/0mica0 had a few problems. First off, he had an old Toyota that he couldn't get rid of. Second, he had no way to play his array of video games? The solution – well, you already know, the pictures are right there.
He fixed two problems with one solution by taking parts from the Toyota and making them into an excellent gaming chair, complete with a driving wheel, peddles, and shift. It's not quite as easy as just plopping things down in front of the TV – it will take some electrical knowledge if you're interested in driving in the fast lane.
Monitor Stand
Nowadays, people are quick to head to the shop in order to buy all the things they need. But this fellow here realized that he could make a stand for his computer monitor screen. So rather than purchasing one at the store or online, he came up with something a little more creative — not to mention cheaper!
Who knew that you could literally morph wood into the shape you want using just a pot of boiling water?! Well, obviously, this dude did. Talk about impressive!
Four-Legged Log House
Your furry friends love to have a place to call their own, no matter how much they love to spend time with you. One Reddit user went the extra mile for his dogs since he put together an entire little log house for his pair of pooches.
It will take plenty of wooden supplies and plenty of hard work to make something like this if you're interested, but we know your pals will appreciate it. It's also a great backup for if you get into a spat with your significant other. The dogs look plenty pleased with their new home, and the builder is surely plenty pleased with the job he did.
A Boarding Bench
If you're looking for a tough project, consider something like this. Even according to the artist, it was no treat to build and isn't the most comfortable piece of furniture ever. However, if you have some old snowboards and need to do something with them, you might be able to repurpose them into somewhere to sit that gives you the perfect place to lace up your skates.
You'll have to have the boards to use, as well as get a frame to attach them to, but with the right woodworking tools and enough time, you can create a handy bench that is perfect for the ski lodge or the garage.
Nick Would be Proud
If you're a fan of the show “Parks and Recreation,” then no doubt you're a fan of Nick Offerman's character Ron Swanson. The Reddit user here sure is, and paid tribute to a man who loves woodworking so much he published a book called “Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Workshop.”
He put his newfound skills to the test to make a trio of wooden kazoos just like Offerman did (first picture). While Offerman has more experience and his product is a little cleaner in general, there's nothing bad to say about the new musical instruments.
Wooden Brain Teasing
If you want to get started in woodworking, but the tough projects you see other people pulling off have you daunted, try out something simple like this wooden box. It's similar to the gridlock puzzle that a lot of us played with when we were kids, and the name of this kind of toy is the Klotski Sliding Toy.
It's a great way to get a handle on your woodworking and make a fun brain teaser for yourself or others. Create a box and a few pieces of wood of various sizes, and you'll be stumping yourself in no time.
What Team do You Think he Roots For?
Woodworking is something that almost anybody can use to make incredible items and pieces of decorations. For one fan of the Denver Broncos, no work is too much work to make a piece of incredible sports team paraphernalia.
It took a hunk of wood lovingly carved into the right shape, a big handful of nails pounded into just the right place, and lots and lots of string wrapped between the nails to get the colors of the Broncos logo just right. Do you think he takes orders? I have a few people who would love something like this.
A Way to Get Rid of That Barrel You Have Lying Around
No, you probably don't have a barrel in your garage that you've meant to use for something, but if for some reason you do – or you have an in with the local brewery – then you might be able to create a shelving unit that will have everyone talking. Even though it's empty, keep that barrel functional but cutting a large hole in the side and adding some shelves.
It will create an authentically rustic vibe to wherever you place it. It takes a big barrel, a saw, some shelving, and a way to attach the shelving. It might take some work, but as we see here, it can easily be done.
All it Takes is a Fresh Coat of Paint.
If you have furniture that has become worn or outdated, you might think your only option is the dumpster. Not so! This gal took an old cabinet and decided that she would make it shine again. And look at that shine!
All it took was a few coats of paint and some new hardware, and she ended up with a piece of furniture that looks like it’s brand new. It looks so good, in fact, that we want to redo everything in our homes right now. We just hope it’s as easy as this person made it seem.
Become the Sofa King
As far as do-it-yourself projects go, a couch is pretty high on the list. But if you need somewhere to park after a long day, but don’t want to spend a big bundle, then making your own might be the route you want to take. The man in charge of the product you see in the pictures did it all for only a hundred dollars.
You might even be able to make it out of spare parts you have lying around the house! Instead of giving up anywhere from several hundred to more than a thousand dollars for a couch the next time you move or remodel, consider making your own!
A Smart Mirror From a Smart Man
Smart devices are all the rage these days, from smart doorbells to smart refrigerators. But what about a smart mirror? We don’t think that any company is making them just yet, but it’s possible to create your own! One genius was able to transform a standard mirror into something incredible to believe. It’s like something out of Star Trek.
With a mirror, a computer, and a special integrated display, the mirror can even communicate with Google Drive. It shows the weather for the day, the time, and his schedule. It doesn’t have touch-screen capabilities just yet, but we all know that isn’t far behind.
Don’t Draw ON Your Pants - Draw WITH Them!
Yes, apparently, it’s possible to make anything out of anything. That includes, for this Reddit user, making a pen and pen case out of a pair of blue jeans. We shouldn’t be surprised anymore when someone on the internet comes up with some incredible design or idea, but this one truly is out there.
Not only did the creator build the pens themselves, but he even soaked the pants to get the ink out, meaning not only did the pens have a blue jean design, but the ink he was writing with was from the jeans as well. If you thought it was possible to make a pair of pants out of blue jeans (and a few extra parts), you’re thinking about it harder than we are.
Save Space in the Bathroom
Everyone is familiar with bathroom mirrors that swing open to hold toothpaste and bandages, but this mirror is a little different. If you need a little bit more storage space in your home, then it might be possible for you to create one of these on your own. It slides to the side, so all you have to do is install a few tracks and put the mirror on some wheels.
Not only is it slick, but it’s secretive as well. Head to Reddit, Youtube, or your favorite home improvement site to find all the steps you need to do to add something like this to your bathroom.