Don't Toss Old Plastic Lids — Use Them For Cute Storage That Hides Clutter

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Everyone who owns plastic containers knows that sometimes you end up with orphaned lids. While you might be tempted to throw them out, plastic takes centuries to decompose in a landfill. Instead, here's a way to repurpose lids from old plastic containers into a storage piece that can hide clutter and organize small items. 

YouTuber Camelia DIY ingeniously transforms a plastic bucket lid into a pretty DIY storage basket with some simple supplies. Aside from a plastic lid, you'll want to gather fabric, cardboard, macramé cord, jute twine, a large-hole wooden bead, sharp knife, scissors, and a hot glue gun. The best part is that none of the materials are particularly expensive, but the finished product looks like a bespoke piece you'd find in a craft boutique. The lid in this video looks to be about a foot wide, but the principles will work for any size lid. Obviously, if the lid is smaller you simply scale down the construction. 

Camelia combines cardboard with the plastic lid to make the base and uses cardboard wrapped in fabric to create the walls and a lid for the basket. She then adds an interior divider, wraps twine around the box for decoration and support, and glues a large-hole wooden bead to the front to create a lid closure. Technically, you don't need the wooden bead for the lid to work, but it's a nice decorative element. As for the jute twine, the thicker the rope, the sturdier the support, so Tenn Well's 5 mm Twisted Heavy Duty Rope would strike a nice balance between art and craft.

Hot glue guns can obviously burn, so always use the gun on a heat-resistant surface or, even better, a silicone craft mat (like the Leobro Silicone Mat from Amazon). If hot glue drips on the mat, all you have to do is let it dry and peel it off. If it drips on your clothes, you can remove hot glue from fabric by letting it dry, then place the clothing item in the freezer for about half an hour. The glue will harden and should peel off.

Keep in mind this storage box is mostly made of cardboard and fabric, which are not water-resistant. Therefore, avoid keeping it in the kitchen, bathroom, or any other damp areas. If the box gets wet, its structure can quickly weaken and deteriorate. If you want to protect it from stains and grime, consider spraying the fabric with a stain-repelling product like Scotchgard.