What To Do With Old Storage Bin Lids? (Here's What You Can Do)
You know those boring old storage bin lids that take up space? Sure, you can recycle them, but they are incredibly useful for DIY projects.
Use old storage bin lids for plant saucers, chilled serving trays, drip trays, coasters, yarn organizers, popsicle trays, paint palettes. Also use them for sink stoppers, glass protectors, windshield scrapers, shower protectors, and sleds. Build a raised garden bed or compost bin with old storage bin lids. Set it by your door for a muddy boot mat.
Pull out your creativity, and learn what to do with old storage bin lids.
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20 Ideas for What to Do with Old Storage Bin Lids
Storage bin lids are made from sturdy plastic, and they have a nice, smooth surface that’s easy to clean. Here’s 20 amazing ideas for what to do with old storage bin lids.
1. Plant Saucers
Why let all the water leak out of your flower pots when you have old storage bin lids? They fit right under the pots. The lip of the lid stops water and soil from leaking all over your patio.
2. Chilled Serving Trays
Perfect for those summertime BBQs! Turn those old storage bin lids upside down, and place them around your patio. Add some ice, and you have an ideal place to organize your condiments and cold items.
3. Drip Trays
Does your garage have stains from oil and other liquids? Next time you work on your vehicle, place a storage bin on the floor. It catches anything that drips down as you work. You can also keep an old storage bin lid under an older vehicle that leaks.
4. Raised Garden Bed
Drill holes in the corners of the storage bin lids. Use zip ties to make a rectangular box. Set it out in your garden, and fill it with soil. You now have a raised garden bed.
5. Muddy Boot Mat
Are you tired of cleaning mud from your floors and carpets? Set an old storage bin lid upside down next to your front door. It’s the perfect place to put muddy boots and shoes.
6. Compost Bin
Old storage bin lids make great composting containers. Use the same technique as the raised garden. Drill holes in the corners of 5 storage bin lids. Build a box frame with 4 of the lids, and use the last lid as the bottom of the container. Set it outside in your garden, and use it as a compost bin.
7. Sled
You can certainly slide down the nearest snowy hill on an old storage bin lid, but it may not be safe. Drill holes in two corners along the short edge. Put each end of a piece of rope or nylon cord through a hole, and make a tight knot. This gives you something to hold onto and some basic steering control. Just make sure that you are in an open area with no trees, houses, signs, and other obstacles.
8. Glass Protector
How many times have you opened your dishwasher only to find a broken glass? Cut pieces from an old storage bin lid, and put the pieces between your delicate glasses. The plastic prevents the glasses from clinking together during the wash cycle.
9. Coasters
Old storage bins lids make great coasters. Cut out circles, squares, and other shapes, and leave a stack in your living room or family room.
10. Yarn Organizer
Are you tired of your yarn getting tangled? Make a small disc from an old storage bin lid, and drill a hole in the center. Cut the lid from the center hole to the edge. Slip the disc over the leading edge of your yarn, and say goodbye to those knots and tangles.
11. Windshield Scraper
Do you reach for a credit card or your driver’s license every time there’s frost on your windshield? Old storage bin lids are the same thickness. Cut scrapers from your old storage bin lids, and keep one in every vehicle.
12. Sink Stopper
Sinks are used for more than washing dishes and hands. We use them for repotting plants, peeling vegetables, and more. Our bathroom sinks are the perfect place to lose random pieces of jewelry and even contact lenses. What you need is a sink stopper. Cut a circle out of your old storage bin lid, and keep it next to your sink. Use it to cover the drain.
13. Popsicle Tray
Popsicles and ice cream cones are great, but they melt before we finish them. Try to enjoy the tasty treat before it melts, and you end up with brain freeze. What you need is a popsicle tray made from an old storage bin lid. Cut out a circle from the lid, and cut a circle in the middle of the piece. Slip your cone or popsicle stick through the opening. No need to rush. The drips stay on the plastic.
14. Paint Palettes
Instead of using paper plates to hold all your paint colors, make a palette from your old storage bin lids. The plastic is easy to clean up.
15. Shower Saver
Do you have rust stains next to your bathroom sink an in the shower from cans of shaving cream? Make a small dish from an old storage bin lid. The rust stays on the plastic, and it rinses off easily. No more scrubbing those rust stains!
16. Paintbrush Holder
Whether you’re working on a masterpiece or repainting a room, you always need a place for your paintbrush. Cut a rectangle from your old storage bin lid, and keep it close by when you paint. The paint rinses off with warm water.
17. Puppy Pad
Do you have a puppy or older pet that needs pee pads? Unfortunately, the pads don’t always catch all the liquid. Place an old storage bin lid under the pad to keep your floors and carpets clean and dry.
18. Carrying Trays
Part of every DIY and gardening project is juggling small tools. What you need is a carrying tray, and an old storage bin lid is the perfect item. The plastic is strong enough to hold the weight. Drill holes in the four corners. Attach rope or nylon cord to make two handles. The lid won’t bend or flex as you carry your tools.
19. Knee Pad
How many times are your favorite pastimes interrupted by bruised, aching knees? Attach a cushion to an old storage bin lid, and you have a new knee pad. For easy cleanup, attach the cushion with Velcro. Remove it when you are done with your project, and rinse it off.
20. Artwork
Old storage bin lids hold their shape, and they are lightweight. This makes them great for wall art. Cover the lid with decorative fabric. If you like to paint, cover the lid with canvas, and make an abstract piece of art. Attach hanging hardware to the back. All you need is a small nail in the wall or a removable picture hook.
How to Cut Old Storage Bin Lids
Most of the projects for what to do with old storage bins lids requires cutting the plastic. The easiest way to cut it is with a handheld jigsaw. You can find affordable models for about $20 to $30.
If you don’t happen to have one of these tools around, you can still cut the plastic with some extra effort. Use an X-Acto knife to carefully trace a line in the plastic. Work slowly and keep cutting the plastic with the blade. It will take some time to cut through the plastic.
Scissors don’t work for cutting old storage bin lids. The blades can’t get through the plastic, and it tends to crack and fracture.
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Related Questions
Are plastic storage bins pest-proof?
Pests can get into almost any type of container. Make sure your storage bins are tightly sealed. Don’t store materials that attract pests, such as food and items that can be used for building nests.
Conclusion
Old storage bin lids are very useful around your house. With a few tools, you can create just about anything.
Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.
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