From Trash to Treasure
Before throwing out old items, think if you can find new purposes for them. It only takes a little creativity and ingenuity, and you can truly benefit from this conservation project.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Terracotta pots.
There are more uses to your big terracotta pots than you might think. Bring them in from the patio and clean them. They can easily be storage units for umbrellas, sporting goods, toys, etc. Or you can try placing a glass on top of it and it suddenly transforms into an end table. You can even fill it up with ornamental rocks, pebbles, marbles, or whatever you may fancy.
2. Pillowcases.
Your ornamental pillows can probably use a makeover. One easy way to do it is by covering them with prettified pillowcases. Yes, the ones you were willing to throw away. Just fold over the excess of the pillowcase and sew or pin it down with a costume jewelry pin or brooch, or even with a fancy button.
Your pillowcases can also be used as laundry bags inside the bathroom. Just attach a little loop on the side, enough to hang it from a hook on the wall.  You can even personalize it by adding a name to your laundry bag and make one for each member of the family. This can easily reduce the clutter of dirty clothes on the bathroom floor.
3. Buckets or pails.
Pails are also great as storage. You can jazz it up by painting it and adding a few embellishments. It can easily hold smaller odds and ends. You can even have a row of pails hanging on a coat hook, each bearing a name of a family member.
This doesn’t end here. Add more to this list by letting your imagination run wild. Have fun discovering new ways to use your old things!