Creative Ways to Repurpose Bowls, Cups, Plates, & More

There are so many creative ways to repurpose bowls, cups, plates, and other items from the kitchen. Read on for lots of great ideas.

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Ideas for Repurposing Cups, Bowls, Platters, & More

Hey friends! I’ve not blogged very much so far this year but am happy to be back at it for fall and the holidays. In the next few weeks I’ll be sharing our bathroom refresh, 2027 paint colors, curated paint color palettes, as well as ideas for decorating for autumn and Christmas. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for updates, or follow me on Facebook or Instagram. If you’re new here and want to learn more about me and this site, Start Here.

Today I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends who also happen to love vintage and second-hand items. We’re sharing our best ideas for finding new ways to use things from the kitchen like glassware, serve ware, and more. If you coming over from The Ponds Farmhouse, welcome! Rachel always has the very best ideas for home decorating.

Our tour is hosted by Cindy at County Road 407 and she always has the best ideas! Be sure to visit all of the links at the bottom of the page to see hers and everyone else’s. I hope you find some ideas that you can use. Now take a look at how I use mine.

New Uses for Old Bowls

There are so many ways to re-use bowls for something other than food! Here are just a few ideas.

Earrings Hung On a Bowl

Using a bowl is a quick and easy way to store your dangling earrings. You can hang them on the inside or outside of the bowl and put more post-backed ones in the bottom. This vintage rice grain bowl is the perfect size for sitting on top of my dresser.

Bowls Used for Kitchen Drawer Organization

Store your small items like corn cob holders, chip clips (or old wooden clothes pins in my case) and more in bowls. It keeps them from rolling around your drawers every time you open them. In this drawer I’m using a couple of vintage jadeite bowls for a pop of color. See more of my favorite ways to organize your kitchen here: Kitchen Organizing Ideas

Use Bowls to Organize Your Bathroom Vanity

Small bowls are also great to use in your bathroom vanity for holding loose items. I added a pretty liner paper and some thrifted rice grain bowls to this drawer and it looks like the inside of a gift box whenever it’s opened.

Display Seashells in Bowls

Gather some of your collection of shells and display them in a pretty bowl. You can put them on a table or shelf or wherever you choose!

Fill a Bowl Full of Colorful Christmas Ornaments

A large serving bowl or salad bowl is an ideal way to display some of your favorite Christmas ornaments.

Idea for Repurposing Teacups, Coffee Cups, and Glassware

Does anyone else have a few (or fifty) extra tea or coffee cups or glasses in their home? Put them to good use in other areas of the house!

Repurpose a Vintage Jadeite Mug for Cotton Swab Storage

Extra mugs and cups make a great way to store cotton swabs and other items you might have in your bathroom. Why not put them in something pretty like a vintage jadeite mug?

Makeup and Brushes Stored in Pretty Glassware

Colorful vintage glassware works perfectly for keeping makeup and brushes organized. I found the blue glass at the thrift store and loved the color. My mom gave me the green depression glass sugar bowl and the color on it is gorgeous too.

Teacup Candle

Teacups, coffee mugs, and short glassware are a great size for homemade candles. Grab some at the thrift shop or a yard sale and use my tutorial for a fun afternoon craft. I found a set of these vintage blue willow teacups at the thrift store. They make great gifts! Tutorial found here: DIY Teacup Candles for Beginners

Use Teacups for Kitchen Drawer Organization

Got small kitchen gadgets and whatnots? Use a teacup to organize them and keep your kitchen drawers neat and tidy.

Add Succulents to Teacups

Teacups can also be used as fun little planters for small succulents. I had several varieties on a tiered tray and it was a nice summer vignette.

Organize Craft Items with Coffee Mugs

Pencils, markers, brushes, and more can be corralled into mugs and cups. These vintage restaurant style coffee mugs are in my craft room and help keep things organized.

Creative Ways to Repurpose Pitchers & Creamers

Pitchers and small creamers are easy to find at yard sales and thrift shops. And there are many ways to use them.

Vintage Pitcher Used as a Kitchen Utensil Crock

We use an old white ironstone pitcher for our wooden spoons and favorite spatulas. I have it in a little scalloped woven tray on the counter right next to our stove for easy access.

Ceramic Creamer Used for Pencils

I found this little blue and white ceramic creamer at the thrift store and it’s perfect for my flowery print pencils. I love the colors and shape of this one.

Small White Creamer for Holding Teaspoons

Place spoons in a little creamer at your coffee or tea station. It’s especially nice for times when you have overnight guests and they can get their own coffee of tea.

Teapot Used as a Planter

This tiny teapot has a small air plant in it and makes the sweetest little decoration for my hutch.

Decorate Pitchers and Creamers with Pumpkin Faces

A couple of years ago I made these cute DIY Cricut Pumpkin Face Decals and added them to several of my pitchers and creamers. They were so fun to see in my Halloween themed hutch.

Use a Pitcher as a Vase

One of my favorite ways to use a pitcher is as a vase for flowers or branches from the yard. A few years ago I clipped some branches from our quince bush and added them to this white pitcher for a pretty vignette in our living room.

Different Ways to Repurpose or Reuse Cake Stands

Who says cake stands are only for cake? They’re nice to use in other ways like organizing or displaying items.

Store Cooking Essentials on a Cake Stand

I like to have my most-used cooking oils and seasonings right next to the stove where I can quickly grab them whenever I need them. Having them up off the counter helps keep it clean too.

Display Seasonal Decor on a Cake Stand

Feature some of your favorite seasonal decor on a cake stand. I layered a few small white plates, a small preserved boxwood wreath, and some ornaments for a simple and festive vignette.

New Uses for Old Plates and Platters

Plates and platters are also useful for so many things. Here are few ideas for you.

Use a platter on the bathroom counter

I just gave our main bathroom an update with new wallpaper and decor and here’s a little sneak peek. (You can see the full reveal here ==> Bathroom Update & Wallpaper Review.) A large white platter now holds soap, q-tips, and a preserved boxwood topiary on top of the vanity.

Small Platter for Soap and Lotion in Bathroom

Our half bath has a little white dish for holding soap and lotion. It’s a nice way to keep it off the counter.

Use a Plate as the Base of a DIY Cloche

A pretty milk glass plate makes the perfect base for my DIY cloche. It can hold flowers, shells, and a variety of decorations.

I hope you’ve gotten some inspiration and ideas for reusing various kitchen items around your home. Be sure to hop over and see what Cindy at County Road 407 has shared. You’ll love it!

Want more ways to reuse items in your home? Visit my post 29 Repurpose and Upcycle Ideas.

More Ideas for Repurposing Glassware, Plates, Bowls, Etc.

Now it’s time to visit everyone on the tour and see how they use extra kitchen items. Leave me a comment below and let me know about your favorite way to use them.