Bored? These 212 Upcycling Ideas Will Definitely Keep You Busy During

Create a bunting (here's how) with different shades of denim for a cool-looking banner.

Source: Etsy User GoodDenim

Make denim bracelets by wrapping scraps of your old jeans around slim bangles.

Source: Etsy User amberhlynn

Create a book page necklace with a cutout of your favorite text or illustration. You can paint the piece with lacquer, or glue a glass gem on top of the cutout to turn it into a durable pendant.

Source: Etsy user PrettyLittleCharmsUK

Turn used corks into one-of-a-kind jewelry. Chop them up into thinner slices and add beads to dress them up. You can even hollow them out and insert a bead for a different look.

Source: Etsy user SimplyMarch

Hollow out corks to make cute planters.

Source: Etsy user AiyaHMPH

Weave strips of paper bags together to make these cute baskets.

Photo: Sarah Lipoff

Create birdhouses from the pages and covers of your old books.

Source: Etsy user storybookfairy

Tear out old book pages to make greeting cards. The background is suitable for all types of occasions — birthdays, graduations, and more.

Source: Etsy user SourAppleHandmade

Get the look of these six Harry Potter coasters ($24) by using ceramic tiles, Harry Potter book pages, and a few layers of decoupage glue and varnish.

Source:

Create baskets out of old denim for both decorative and practical purposes — store items in the baskets for a more organized home. They look so much better than plastic baskets and will look like part of your home's decor.

Source: Etsy User corEcoisa

When you're making cake or cupcake toppers, use book pages to give them a unique look.

Source: Etsy user Theturningofapage

Mason jars make great candle holders because they are able to withstand a lot of heat. Plus simple jars add a rustic touch to the decor.

You can use them as simple candle holders or turn them into garden lights to decorate your walkway.

Source: Etsy user TheCountryBarrel

Cut out circles on a piece of cork and stick map cutouts on top with glue sealant. Paint the top and the sides with glue sealant, and after it dries, paint it again with lacquer.

Source: Etsy User crabappledesign

Cut up the map into strips and fold them into origami stars. You can fill up a glass jar and give it as a gift to a friend or use them as confetti.

Source: Etsy User coppleshop

Corks make the perfect material for stamps. You can carve them, and they will be able to absorb ink well enough for stamping.

Source: Etsy user TheLionsDenStudio

Create rosettes out of maps (instructions here) for decor at a travel-themed party or wedding.

Source: Etsy User GrannyPantyDesigns

Use an old t-shirt with a cool graphic, and turn it into a stylish pillow. These pillows will be soft addition to your sofa or bed.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Cut out cool shapes from maps and string them up to make a garland. Hang it up at a wedding or as party decor or even in your home.

For those looking to make fancier garlands, you can check out these instructions on how to make origami balloon garlands.

Source: Etsy User ThePulparazzi

For pieces unique to you, dress your Christmas tree up in homemade cork ornaments.

Source: Etsy users CraftyLauries and LollipopDay

Make mini envelopes out of maps to store things like favors or after-dinner mints at a wedding. You can also use it to wrap a trinket as a gift to a friend or to place under a pillow when you're playing tooth fairy.

Source: Etsy User CreateLovely

Take snippets of plastic bags, lacquer them, and turn them into dangly earrings.

Source: Etsy user TrashyCreations

Carefully cut out and stick maps on gift boxes for a more global theme. You can even use it as wrapping paper to wrap up a present.

Source: Etsy User ArtisanPost

Frame a map to decorate your walls. You can even put marks on the places you've been to.

Source: Etsy User BelleMaisonArt

This may be hard to replicate, but you can also use stick old buttons on a bowl to create a unique look.

Source: Design Boom Design by Iñigo Cañedo from Avec Studio

Old tees are the perfect material for pet toys. The t-shirt material is soft, so it'll be something they can sleep with.

Source: Etsy user fbstudiovt

Here's another great upcycling idea for plastic bottles — hanging planters!

Photo: Sarah Lipoff

Use one, two, or three corks to make unique place-card holders for special events like a dinner party or a wedding. Cut a slit in the cork if you're only using one. Tie it up with a ribbon, or stick a trinket on it to jazz it up.

Source: Etsy user KarasVineyardWedding

Liven up your garden or patio with a wind chime made from the tops of recycled wine bottles. For the doable DIY, all you have to do is string them together.

Source: Etsy User LindasYardArt

You'll never misplace a page with this eye-catching paint chip bookmark.

Source: How About Orange

Buy a puncher that punches pretty shapes out of paper. Use them on maps to make cool confetti.

Source: Etsy User peonyandthistle

Spray-paint a mason jar, and it'll be a colorful addition to your desk as a pen holder.

Source: Etsy user BeachBlues

Let a steaming pot cool down on a cool legless trivet made from corks fused together.

Source: Etsy user amyyoung570

Instead of a ring pillow, hollow out a favorite book to keep your rings in.

Source: Etsy user pommesfrites

String little bits of paint chips together to create a unique ribbon that will add style to any package.

Source: Studio D Sharp

Take zippers, paint them in different colors, and use a glue gun to wrap them around a container.

Source: Etsy user Amalla Versaci

Let a steaming pot cool down on a cool legless trivet made from corks fused together.

Source: Etsy user amyyoung570

Cut your old tees up into strips and braid them into cool bracelets.

Source: Etsy user lilpie

Use old book pages to make vintage-style wedding paper cones to hold your confetti.

Source: Etsy user roseflower48

You can bake cakes in mason jars and give them away as party favors or gifts. These cake jars are also great for portion control. Here's a good tutorial on how to bake rainbow-colored cakes.

You can even bake pizzas or pies in jars.

Source: Etsy User tookies

House your laptop comfortably in your old pair of upcycled jeans.

Source: Etsy User MioMode

Cover a notebook with a map or create your own using paper for the pages, cardboard or cork for the covers, and a string to tie the covers together for the stem.

Source: Etsy User peonyandthistle

Turn old jeans into throw rugs and watch guests exclaim over how unique your floor mat looks.

Source: Etsy User godsgirlrachel

A denim wallet will keep your money and important cards safe.

Source: Etsy User belrossa

Take an old t-shirt, snip it up, and turn it into a fashionable scarf. There are so many different styles to choose from — fringing, braiding, and more. Here is a list of instructions on how to make 10 different types of t-shirt scarves.

Source: Etsy user EcoShag

Create a produce bag out of an old t-shirt by sewing a bag out of the t-shirt material and then snipping holes in it.

Source: Delia Creates

Keep your hands safe when handling hot pots and pans with these denim pot holders.

Source: Etsy User ShotgunShellSanta

Use a mason jar instead of a regular lunch box, and it'll keep your lunch fresh! It's perfect for soup, salad, pasta, and more.

Source: Etsy user atinyforest

Another creative way to make paint chip bookmarks. The possibilities are endless!

Source: Scissors and Spoons

A ribbon holder is a must for every craft fanatic. Make one out of an oatmeal box by following this tutorial.

Source: Curbly DIY Design Community

Party guests will gush about these unique and eco-friendly paint chip napkin holders.

Source: My Hands Made It

Take a six-pack holder, plaster cute patterned paper on it, and then use it to hold lightweight utensils in your kitchen.

Source: Home Confetti

Buy a really cheap lamp and glue a map around the shade. Or you can even cut the map into strips and glue it onto the shade for a shaggy effect.

The thinner the map, the better the light shines through, so you might want to use the nonglossy kind for this project.

Source: Etsy User umbu

Cut, shape, and paint pieces of plastic bags. Mount them artistically on a canvas, and you'll have a beautiful piece of upcycled art.

Source: Etsy user MiccoHome

Wrap candle holders with book pages on the outside and cut little shapes to let the candle light or LED tea lights shine through.

Source: Etsy user AdorkableMe

Make aprons out of old t-shirts you don't want to wear out anymore. Get them dirty guilt-free!

Source: Bee in My Bonnet

Roll up your calendar or magazine pages to create fun paper beads that you can string up to make necklaces and bracelets. Instructions here.

Source: Etsy user SigStudiosc

Add bits of denim to your earrings for a touch of edge.

Source: Etsy User AprilGetsCrafty

Cutting off the top of your jeans and making it into a bag turns it into a very unique-looking purse. Add a belt to play up the fact that it used to be an old pair of jeans.

Source: Etsy User JeanneBeans

Make little pom-poms out of t-shirts . You can attach them to necklaces or scarves to dress them up or glue them to floral wire to mimic flowers.

Source: Etsy user talkingsquid

Turn your old jeans into denim heart ornaments or stuff them with potpourri to scent up your home. See tutorial here.

Source: Etsy User LivingSoLovely

Have a cool-looking vintage spoon? Bend and flatten it until it turns into the perfect cuff bracelet.

Source: Etsy user thebeadedlizard

Create a map pendant with a cutout of your favorite spot on the map. You can paint the piece with lacquer or glue a glass gem on top to make it more durable.

Source: Etsy user PAPERandPLACE

Braid plastic bags together to make a basket. Get more instructions here.

Source: Etsy user Sally Stokes

Rest your feet on a chic denim ottoman.

Source: Etsy User lovintagefinds

You'd be surprised at how sophisticated a safety pin bracelet can look. Not only is it beautiful, but it also makes a very eco-friendly fashion statement.

The beauty of the safety pin bracelet is that anyone can make it. All it takes is some common craft materials and a lot of time. Here are the instructions.

Photo: Emily Co

A CasaSugar community member shared this neat DIY project in the Su Casa group — a mason jar sewing kit.

Basically, you create a pin cushion, stick it to the top of the lid, and keep all your sewing tools inside the jar.

Source: OnSugar user funkytime

Need a cool stool for your home? Stack up a pile of magazines to make this unique chair. Add a pillow to the top, and you're good to go!

Source: Selekkt

Brighten up a tired old table with paint chips.

Source: Minimoz Blog

Turn old book pages into gift tags that you can attach to presents to better personalize them.

Source: Etsy user RambleCraft

Turn your old pair of jeans into a wreath to decorate your home with.

Source: Etsy User erinbearin

Create furniture pieces like lamps, side tables, or coffee tables by piling up old books. Be sure to glue the books together so you won't have to stack them up again if the pieces ever topple over.

Source: Etsy user tytie

Nowhere to put your beautiful blooms? Use mason jars! You can choose to spray-paint them or cover the jar with lace or some other material, but personally, I think it's the most beautiful as a vase when it's in its original, translucent form.

Source: Etsy user TooShai

Nail an old soda crate on top of table legs, and then pad the seat with foam and cushion.

Source: cottage4c

Make a soap dispenser out of your mason jar by drilling a hole on the lid and inserting and glueing the top of an old soap bottle to the hole.

Source: Etsy user bittersweetlemonade

Turn your t-shirts into yarn to use for other cool DIY projects. There's a special way of cutting up your t-shirt so it becomes a continuous roll of yarn, so be sure to learn how to do it here.

Source: Etsy user TiedUpInKnots

Crochet plastic bags into little shapes. You can use these to scrub dishes, pots, and other cookware.

Source: Etsy user ReWorkedDesigns

Cut your t-shirt up into yarn, and then braid strips together. Once you have a long braid, coil it up, and sew it together so that it stays in that position. See more detailed instructions here.

Source: Etsy user ekra

Flatten and bend spoons, and then nail them onto wooden planks to make a really cool-looking spoon rack.

Source: Etsy user Jeremy N Jen Evensen

Get a frame and squeeze some corks into it for a creative and shabby-chic jewelry holder. If the frame is bigger, then you can even turn it into a bulletin board.

Source: Etsy user MiAmoreVino

Welcome one and all to your home with this lovely paint chip invite.

Source: My Hands Made It

Knit or braid the plarn into a floor mat — the perfect surface for wiping the dirt off your shoes.

Source: Etsy user KJLSDesigns

Wow your guests with these awesome paint chip coasters.

Source: Crafty CPA

Create cute envelopes from calendar or magazine pages to stuff in greeting cards, documents, or money.

Source: Etsy user Sanguinaria

Dress up the walls by the stairs with colorful paint chips.

Source: Cozy Little Cave

Break up plastic spoons and stick them on a cardboard wreath form you can get from a crafts store. Paint them with a color you like, and stick a mirror in the center. Find more detailed instructions here.

Source: Addicted2Decorating

Hollow out one of your old books to hide your cash and other valuables. No one will ever guess your secret hiding place!

Source:Etsy user pommesfrites

Whether you're dressing up a notebook, diary, or scrapbook, book pages will make the covers come alive. Take your favorite pages from old books and experiment by sticking them on the covers.

Source: Etsy user RescuedPaper

Reuse the disinfectant wipes container to store your plastic bags so you can pull them out with ease for every use.

Source: Infarrantly Creative

Denim is such a comfortable material that it makes for a great pillow cover.

Source: Etsy User AVALANCEL

Use office supplies for a unique gift wrap that will wow recipients.

Photo: Sarah Lipoff