19 Ways To Repurpose A Paint Stirrer Around The House

Inexpensive sources of wood can be invaluable for smaller projects that don't require large amounts of lumber. This is particularly true for crafting and decorating. One great place to find smaller lengths of good quality wood may actually be closer than you think. Wooden paint stirrers, which can be purchased inexpensively at hardware, paint, and discount stores, are a budget-friendly solution if you're looking for smaller segments to work with. You probably already use them to keep track of paint shades or for help painting tight spaces. However, with a little creativity and ingenuity, you can use them to make everything from functional racks to hang on your wall to beautiful decorative objects like vases and lanterns. 

Paint sticks are usually available in packs of around 10 that run under $2 per pack. They are available in the shorter gallon size, as well as a 5-gallon size. You may even have some used or new ones that came free with cans of paint for other projects. A good source of slender wood planks, they can be covered in a variety of finishes, including paint, stain, and wood wax. The projects below use a mix of attachment techniques, including staple guns, wood glue, hot glue, and screws. They are also easy to cut on a small miter saw or with miter shears.

Wooden paint stirrers are great for making a DIY version of a vintage toolbox, perfect as an organizer for holding objects or serving as the base for a stylish centerpiece. Create the bottom by attaching stirrers together with wood or Gorilla glue along the sides to form a flat surface, then add pieces along the perimeter to form the shallow box. Use two more shortened sticks attached with glue or staples to each end and a final one across the top to serve as a handle. Stain or paint as desired. 

Paint stirrers can be turned into a cute tray or riser for other décor. Use several sticks cut to size to form the tray's flat surface, held together with two lengths of wood sticks placed perpendicularly at each end. Stain the tray or paint it, then add the handles created from popsicle crafting sticks and wooden cubes. Paint in a rich gold color creates a high-end look. You can also make a shallow tray with sides similar to the toolbox design above by creating a flat panel and using one to two paint stirrers to create sides.

Paint stirrers provide an excellent surface for creating word art and signs in a number of configurations. Place several stirrers together to create a horizontal sign held together by a brace at each end, or create a cute vertical wooden door sign great for welcoming guests. Paint or stain the sign, then use vinyl cut-outs, hand lettering, or stickers to add a message to the sign. Create a simple handle for hanging on the wall or door using a staple gun to attach a length of jute or rope along the top. 

Use several paint stirrers to create a sleek and modern organizer for your desk. It's ideal for holding letters, files, notebooks, and other essentials. Stain or paint the stirrers before creating one smaller and one larger panel using wood glue to hold them together. Create a base, then glue the panels vertically in your desired configuration and depth. Add shorter sticks to create ends, as well as a single strip at the front. Place it on your desk for holding paperwork or add a claw hook to the back to hang on the wall in your entryway.

Another great DIY using paint stirrers, this project makes a cute key rack with a chalkboard for messages, suitable for your mudroom or entryway. Lay out several stirrers cut to size about 1/2 inch apart and secure them together with glue or a staple gun. Use two perpendicular stirrers or popsicle sticks on the back to hold them together. Run another paint stirrer along the bottom, then add some screw-in cup hooks to hold your keys. Add another piece to create a slender shelf above it or add a framed chalkboard or piece of art up top. 

For this fun and festive DIY, you will need a plastic laundry basket, several packages of paint stirrers in the large 5-gallon size, some ribbon, and some jute rope. Begin by cutting away the top of the upside-down laundry basket. Use some glue to attach the wood sticks side by side along the perimeter of the basket (they will overlap a little at the top, so leave those loose.) Once you have covered the basket entirely, use some ribbon to tie the tops tightly together and hold them in place. Wrap rope or twine along the bottom.

Create a grid using paint stirrers for a fun cottage-style decorative piece that works indoors or out. While you can glue the pieces together, you can get a little more durability and strength at the joints by using popsicle sticks as braces to hold the pieces together. This DIY is customizable in size and finish, and is perfect for adding a bit of interest on the wall above a table or shelf. It also makes a pretty DIY trellis to serve as a grid for climbing plants if placed outside on a wall or fence.

For a stylish way to liven up your kitchen storage solutions, create a cute DIY organizer for plastic bags of various sizes. Use three plastic rectangular bins glued together with hot glue. Add paint stirrers cut to size along the top to cover the compartments. You can even use stickers or vinyl letters to label each compartment. Use the storage solution on a counter, in a pantry, or as a drawer organizer. It would also make a fun storage solution for a workspace or bathroom, where you can store office supplies or cosmetics in the bins. 

Create an adorable rack for storing garden tools with six paint stirrers glued or braced together on the back with additional paint or popsicle sticks. Stain or paint your stirrers, then add hooks to the front. This version of the DIY uses suction hooks hot glued in place, but you could also use pegs or screw-in cup hooks to create hangers. Use vinyl letters, hand-painted accents, or a stencil to add decorative details to the rack, then hang it along a fence, exterior wall, or on the wall in your garage. 

You can make a rustic wooden drying rack for shoes and boots using several paint stirrers and a wooden frame. Glue or staple the stirrers to the exterior rim of the frame with an equal amount of space between them, then turn it upside down. You can even customize by choosing a smaller or larger frame, or using different sized paint stirrers. Stain or paint your new shoe rack, making sure to add a waterproof finishing coat to keep the wood from being damaged by moisture as the shoes dry. 

These slender slats of wood are ideal for creating a herringbone pattern on other wood surfaces like cabinet doors and furniture. Cut them off at the ends at an angle so that they come together in a point, then glue each piece down to the surface with wood glue. Finish the herringbone off with a frame around the perimeter made of paint stirrers. Herringbone design is back and currently very on trend for everything from accent walls to furniture, so it's an inexpensive way to add texture and interest to any space. 

If you're looking for a great way to display art in your home, you can create simple artwork slots on a wall. Stain or paint stirrers to match your décor, then screw or nail the wooden strips directly in the wall several inches apart. To display art inside, just slide it in the space between the paint sticks and the wall, which will together hold the artwork flat against the wall without using a glass front. This is a cute means to display decorative prints or art class projects that get rotated regularly. 

Paint stirrers are a great source for making wooden letters for a wall or shelf. Cut and assemble the lengths of wood into letter formation, using bolts, screws, nails, or staples to keep them in place. Use smaller sticks for small letters or place longer sticks together for oversized letters. Add interest by staining or painting letters to match your décor, or attach them to a larger piece of wood to create a three-dimensional sign for much less than those sold by home retailers for a similar look. 

Any cylindrical container like a tin can or upcycled jar can be turned into a cute wooden accent piece by encircling it with wooden stirrers cut to size along the perimeter. Use hot glue to hold the stirrers in place on the exterior surface, then wrap the piece in twine, ribbon, or other material to hold it all together. These containers make fun planters, desktop storage, utensil holders, or other organizational solutions in a variety of places in the home. Paint or stain the sticks as desired before adding accents like decorative charms, buttons, or small woodcuts.

Create a sleek and modern lantern from a block of wood and several paint stirrers. Use the block as a base, then glue the sticks upward into an enclosure perfect for a candle or plants. Use glue or staples to attach the stirrers firmly together, then stain or paint in your desired shade. These lanterns look stunning as a centerpiece or on a mantle, or can be placed outside for additional lighting using real or LED candles. If you place them outdoors, make sure to add a protective coat to the wood to keep them looking good. 

Large stir sticks are just the right width for creating  lengths of fence for indoor or outdoor use. Use two horizontal stirrers attached with wood glue or staples to hold several stirrers vertically together for a cute length of picket fence you can paint or stain to match your space. Hang the fence on a wall as an accent or lean it against a wall. The piece also makes a lovely spot for a wreath for a rustic look. Use them outside as a cute trellis or flower bed fence.

For an adorable indoor or outdoor piece of décor, turn several paint stirrers into a tiny hanging swing. Create a base by gluing several stirrers together for the front and back of the swing, then add armrests on the end of the bench. Staple four lengths of jute rope or twine at the corners to hang. Customize the swing with stain, paint, or decorative details. You can also add a small saucer or tray filled with birdseed for an adorable bird feeder and perch for visiting wildlife. 

Large paint stirrers are ideal for fashioning into a wooden ladder, which can be purely decorative or fully functional. Just attach the paint sticks in a ladder formation using glue or staples. If you want longer lengths, attach two stirrers vertically or horizontally with wooden popsicle sticks as braces glued to the back to hold them firmly together. Use the ladder as a wall piece or to hang items like blankets, towels, or winter scarves from near the door. Add screw-in hooks for a cute cup rack or use the ladder outside as a DIY trellis.

Fashion a rustic storage basket or trash bin using a wire basket from Dollar Tree and several paint stirrers. Stain or paint the sticks first, then glue the stirrers along the base of the basket using hot glue, allowing them to overlap as necessary, until the entire perimeter is covered. The sticks should be longer than the sides of basket to hide the original container. Use this stylish basket as an umbrella stand or storage, or place it as a cute trash bin next to your desk or in your bathroom.