Old Frying Pans Aren't Trash: 10 Genius Ways To Turn Them Into Home Treasures

When it's time to replace an old frying pan, don't be too quick to toss it away. Instead of throwing it in the garbage, consider how you could repurpose it around your home. There are many clever ways to upcycle frying pans into decorative home treasures for any room. As an added bonus, many of these ideas look good alongside other creative upcycles that use old kitchen pots instead of tossing them.

Below are 10 frying pan upcycle ideas any DIYer can try out. Most of the projects start the same. Get the ball rolling by first removing all residual food grime and debris from the pan using aluminum foil and baking soda. Many DIYs also require you to remove the handles. However, don't move forward with this step unless you're sure the handle isn't necessary later on. Once these steps are complete, gather any necessary materials. The majority of these hacks require acrylic paint, Mod Podge (or another decoupage material), and rustic crafting materials, such as burlap and twine.

Since many older, vintage-age skillets were crafted from cast iron or other heavy-duty metals, they have a naturally rustic appearance. This makes them especially popular for home decor DIYs that have a farmhouse or old-fashioned appearance. These clever repurposing methods turn them into home treasures that are great for decorating kitchens, breakfast nooks, and other homey and cozy spaces.

Never throw a worn-down frying pan in the garbage when this old cooking tool can be turned into stylish countertop storage. LanaS DIY showed that if you remove the handle with a screwdriver, or by untwisting, you have space to glue two round knobs on either side of the circular pan. Super glue an upside-down cup or candle holder to the bottom of the pan, and decoupage floral napkins around the exterior to create a stylish bowl for countertop fruits or a catch-all tray for common home essentials.

In addition to kitchen decor, you can also turn frying pans into gorgeous bathroom countertop storage by following YouTuber Evrim Taşer Yılmaz's idea. You need two identical-sized pans without their original handles. Paint over both pans before wrapping the outside with braided twine or rope in a spiral pattern, hot gluing in place as you go. Use a dowel to connect the pans to create a double-tiered countertop storage receptacle for bathrooms. The rope material is a great way to soften a bathroom aesthetic and add more cozy textures.

There's another chic centerpiece idea that turns an old frying pan into a charming DIY vase. This is a beginner-level DIY shared by YouTuber Evrim Taşer Yılmaz. Paint over the frying pan and decoupage patterned floral paper on top. Super glue a sturdy pedestal, such as the Hosley Decorative Pillar Candle Holder, to the bottom of the pan, and fill the top with an assortment of artificial foliage. The perk of this home centerpiece treasure is that it can be used year-round if it's filled with seasonal arrangements.

Skillets can be used to house more than artificial plants if you try FabTab India's creative idea. Many saucers are too shallow for plants, which usually need pots that are at least 4 to 6 inches deep. This DIYer solves that problem by turning a standard frying pan into a hanging stand for individual plant pots instead. Spray paint the frying pan and place it in a macrame-style hanger. Arrange the pots on top, and the frying pan works as a decorative holder and catch-tray for excess water.

A rusted pan serves as a faux antique piece of decor if you lean into the worn look. Follow TikToker @themessycrafter71's idea and print out a photo of vintage art, cut it into a circle, and decoupage it to the back of the pan. Dab some of Ranger's Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad around the edges, and glue on 3D wooden appliques to add ornate appeal. Hang the finished pan on a wall hook to add aged, one-of-a-kind art to your space.

A deep skillet may be just large enough to house small succulents. There's no guarantee your plants won't outgrow their home one day, but it makes a temporary eclectic home for tiny succulents or pups. Repaint the outside of the frying pan, but avoid following the original DIY from SimplyPretty Creation's step-by-step. They also painted the inside, which can be harmful if paint leaches into the soil. Add decorative handles so you can easily move your pot into sunny areas as needed, and fill the pan with soil and succulents.

Outdoor spaces are also deserving of home treasures that boost their aesthetic. Follow hometalk's concept that turns an old pan into a stylish outdoor tray using a coat of black paint and decoupaged burlap. Use a set of small cabinet knobs in a matching black color to make the feet, and line the outside of the pan with twigs to make a bowl that looks like a birds' nest. Fill the center with artificial foliage as decor, or with a pair of cups so you can enjoy drinks while lounging outdoors.

Decoupage is the go-to for decorating old frying pans. In another kitschy hack, the DIYer @thecutestlittlething crafts a set of decorative frying pans with farmhouse-style printouts on the inside. They Mod Podge them in place, and dab neutral-colored acrylic paints around the edges to give them a worn, rustic look. Add a burlap or lacey bow where the handle meets the pan for a cozy touch. These pans are a great way to fill empty wall space in a kitchen, maintaining a culinary-inspired look and emulating a homey vibe.

To make a home treasure entirely out of common items, try this genius idea by TikToker @yusmariserrano. This idea embraces a classic look rather than rustic. Cut up disposable paper plates into small pieces and hot glue them around the outside of an old frying pan. Decoupage white paper napkins on top to create a bumpy surface. On the back of the frying pan, Mod Podge a flower printout and paint around the edges with red acrylic paint to create a vintage-inspired art piece for a breakfast nook.

Looking for a quick way to give a frying skillet a second life? Try TikToker @mommacline01's idea that takes minimal effort. Set your frying pan on a counter and fill it with artificial foliage and decorative gems, such as the Dollar Tree's Aqua Mist Decorative Gems. Add in other decorative pieces, such as Fairy Garden Mini Garden Decor, for a more whimsical aesthetic. You can set your fairy garden inside your home on a countertop, or outside among your garden plants to add variation to the greenery.