11 Household Items You Didn't Know You Could Repurpose These items still have a lot of life left. Close Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images In a world of overconsumption, it can be refreshing to take a longer look at what you already own and through the lens of what other purposes they may hold. For example, old bed sheets may not be suitable for sleeping anymore—but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have some life in them. (They make excellent picnic blankets, or can be crafted into grocery totes!) And that gorgeous candle vessel that’s empty of wax can certainly stick around with a creative reset. Before throwing household items away, look through this list of ways to reuse them. From well-loved socks to old wooden doors and ladders, these items can easily have a second life. Christine Burrows, DIY guru and founder of Christine's Crafts Rachel Blindauer, interior designer with over 15 years experience Rick Berres, contractor and owner of Honey-Doers Melissa Schneider, interior designer and owner of Homes Innovation, a Florida-based remodeling and interior design company 8 Things You Should Never Donate to the Thrift Store—and the Reasons Why 01 of 11 Chipped Dishes Credit: decorvow Cracked or chipped dishware isn’t ideal for the dinner table, but it can still serve a pretty purpose. For example, “You can turn old chipped plates into really pretty garden stepping stones,” suggests Christine Burrows, DIY guru and founder of Christine's Crafts. "Place your plates into a bag and hit them with a hammer to make them into small pieces for a mosaic," she instructs. "Design the stepping stone you want, making sure it is the same size as your mold. I used a foil pie case for mine.” Mix up some concrete and pour it into your chosen mold. Then, gently press your pieces into the concrete and leave them to dry. You can also use this approach to create a mosaic tabletop or display your favorites on a plate gallery wall. How to Turn Vintage China Into a Mosaic Table 02 of 11 Wallpaper Remnants You’ve hung your wallpaper and it’s something to marvel at—but what do you do with all those scraps you needed to cut away? “Leftover wallpaper is a treasure,” according to interior designer Rachel Blindauer. “For instance, I line the inside of drawers or bookshelves for a subtle dash of personality.” You can also use it for wrapping gifts, creating coasters, giving furniture a fresh or customized look, or framing it as art. 4 Reasons Why Everyone Should Line Their Dresser Drawers—and How to Do It 03 of 11 Used Candles Credit: yrabota / Getty Images A spent candle has already brought your hours of soothing fragrance, but no need to discard its vessel so quickly. These glass jars can easily be repurposed into containers for toiletries (like cotton balls, makeup wipes, and cotton swaps), as well as a place to store trinkets, makeup brushes, and more. Simply bring water to a boil and pour it into the used candle. The leftover wax will melt and float to the top, forming an easy-to-remove disk of wax and leaving the vessel clean. 04 of 11 Old Doors Credit: Gieves Anderson Photography, JAM Design Whether you’re installing new doors during a home renovation or need to replace yours for insulation or aesthetic reasons, the old door has to go somewhere. “If you have a high-quality wooden door that can’t really be used for its purpose anymore, you can keep it and transform it,” says Rick Berres, contractor and owner of Honey-Doers. ”Clean it, sand it, paint it, and secure it against the wall horizontally. It makes for a great headboard." Alternatively, you can use it on top of a coffee table base or install it as sliding farmhouse door in another area of the home (like a pantry or entryway).