Out with the Old!
Decluttering is in high fashion these days as people face the piles of stuff that can accrue in any household. Don’t just throw it away! You can pitch items into your recycling bin, find a new use for them yourself, or even make a little money off them.
Kitchen Items
Kitchen tools and appliances certainly stack up. They wear out, break, or lose parts. Instead of recycling, consider redecorating. Many items can be painted or combined in groupings for displays within the home or garden. This especially is the case if you have leftover items from your parents’ or grandparents’ kitchens. It’s a great way to display nostalgic items while giving a room a nice theme.
Old Dressers
An old dresser can become a new buffet table for the dining room or an interesting conversation piece for your living room. Remove some drawers to create shelving space, add a fresh color, and change the knobs out for something with bling—you’ve got a fun project with a great new piece of furniture. If you don’t want to do it yourself, try putting it on Craigslist, Nextdoor, Facebook flea markets, or other resale sites so that crafters can spot their next new project or bargain hunters can find their next buy.
Electronics
Electronics can be a little trickier. Computers and tablets don’t repurpose all that well. Taking them to a specialized recycling center is probably the best thing. It will free your time and space as well as be a friendly alternative for the environment. For example, instead of keeping that ancient laptop in a junk drawer somewhere after you upgrade, taking it to a facility that does laptop recycling will ensure its battery and internal hardware will be disposed of safely or reused to give other items new life.
Shoes and Clothing
Old shoes can sometimes be turned into pretty much anything. They could become cute garden displays, pin cushions, art, and so much more. If you or a loved one like to create by knitting or crocheting, old sweaters can be unraveled for the yarn. Jeans can be made into just about anything—dog toys, purses, and more. If your clothes are still in good condition but don’t necessarily bring you any joy, try giving them new homes. Thrift shops will take items that are in usable condition.
Jewelry
The beauty of old jewelry can be brought to new life in many ways. Turning an old necklace into a cute set of bracelets is one idea. Your “new” jewelry can become birthday presents for friends. You can sell them at art shops that feature unique jewelry. Rehoming old pieces as supplies is also a great option. Crafters are always looking for new materials to help bring their imagined projects to life. You could also use the individual elements of each piece into craft supplies for your own projects. Necklace pendants make perfect appliques or interesting details for belts, planters, brooches, and more. Anything your mind can come up with could be made real with the help of old jewelry.
Whether you create a financial sideline of selling items on eBay, Etsy, or in local markets, you can make a pretty profit while decluttering your home. There’s nothing wrong with donating items for others to discover, as well. Finally, keeping certain items out of landfills is a good idea, too.