There's nothing quite as frustrating as opening a kitchen cupboard and realising you've run out of storage space — especially when your ever-growing mug collection (we're all guilty of it) is taking up every spare inch.
'Mugs are one of those items that can quickly multiply without us even noticing. They're often gifted, bought as souvenirs or linked to special memories, which means they can carry a lot of sentimental value,' Siân Pelleschi, Association of Professional Declutterers & Organisers President (ADOP) and Sorted! owner, tells us.
If you want to free up more cupboard space, it might be time to let go of a few of these mugs and cups. Instead of throwing them out, why not give them a new lease of life and make your kitchen feel bigger as a result?
'Reusing old mugs can absolutely help free up space in your kitchen. Reducing the number of mugs you store makes cupboards easier to access, creates more room for the items you use regularly and can make the whole kitchen feel calmer and less cluttered, says Siân.
With that in mind, here are nine useful ways to reuse mugs and create more space in your kitchen. Here's to having clearer cupboards – and more useful mugs!
1. Turn it into an organiser for odd bits
When it comes to visual clutter, it's those bitty bits that can have the greatest impact – loose change, random paperclips, oh-so-many bobby pins. Siân recommends using your old mugs as 'small organisers for items such as batteries, pegs or spare change.'
2. Make it a stationery pot
This is a classic, but a good one. Make your study space more organised by putting your loose pens and pencils into one of your old mugs. This will not only keep your WFH space tidy – it will also give your desk some instant personality.
3. Turn them into statement pieces
Think mugs are just practical? Think again. With just a few licks of paint and some clever creative thinking, you can transform your old mug into a decorative object worthy of being displayed on your shelves. Here, you can either paint your mug in a design of your choosing or decoupage it with a pattern that's caught your eye.
4. Reuse in plant pots
Siân also recommends a trick for your partially broken mugs. 'Chipped mugs can be broken up and used in the bottom of plant pots to aid drainage,' she says. This trick has been used by gardeners for centuries, but some modern horticulturalists have dismissed it as a myth. If you’re keen to test this theory for yourself, a broken mug is a good place to start.
5. Make it a vase for cut flowers
Want to display your flowers in a slightly more original way? Take some cut flowers and place them in your old mugs. Cut the stems down to just over the height of the mug and pop them in for a pretty flowery display.
6. Transform it into a bird feeder
'Teacups, particularly with saucers, can also find a new purpose. With a few craft supplies, you can turn them into bird feeders or baths in the garden for a delicate, vintage look,' says Kelly Moore from Cleaning With Meaning.
7. Create a propagation pot
Planning or propagating some of your herbs or plants this year? Don't throw that mug away. 'One of my favourite ideas is using them as propagation pots for plant cuttings. It gives a second life to a mug that might be chipped or no longer match your kitchen set,' says Kelly.
8. Turn it into a candle
Fancy creating a truly original candle for your home? Make a one-of-a-kind candle with an old mug or teacup. Here, you'll need soy wax flakes, pre-waxed wick and a microwave. For a fragrant candle, you can also add your favourite essential oils.
9. Use it as a guest gift package
Having guests round? Turn your old mugs into a mini welcome package. Pack the container with a toothbrush, mini toothpaste and a small bar of soap and place it next to the visiting guest's bed. Alternatively, you can make a little gift package with small snacks and tasty treats.
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