16 Creative Ways To Repurpose A Funnel In Your Home & Garden

Take a look in your kitchen drawer. What do you see? A well-loved set of measuring cups, your go-to rubber spatulas, wood spoons worn in from years of use, and — if you really start to dig — a funnel that you can't remember the last time you touched. Funnels can be useful in a myriad of different situations — whether in the kitchen, garage, or as a part of a science experiment — but they're not an everyday item for most people. If you're looking to better organize your space and cut down on unnecessary clutter, eliminating items that rarely get used is one of the easiest first steps you can take.

Instead of tossing your old funnel into the garbage, however, consider upcycling it into something new. Funnels are fairly simple in design, so they're fit for plenty of different projects, whether you're looking to create a new home for your plants or are on the hunt for some DIY statement lighting on a budget. By taking something that you no longer use and repurposing it, rather than throwing it away, you can help cut back on clutter, reduce your waste, and save money on new items. Upcycling a funnel might seem like a simple switch, but it can help you shift your perspective and think more creatively about the items you already have on hand.

Hanging planters are fantastic to keep your plants protected from nosy pets and can help you maximize your space, but, unless they have proper drainage, your plants will likely end up waterlogged or with a case of root rot. To prevent this, it's important to choose planters made of a porous substance or with holes on the bottom to give excess water a place to escape. An old funnel is perfect for the task. Drill a couple of holes along the rim and attach a chain to create your own upcycled hanging planter in just a few minutes.

Switching up your lighting is one of the easiest ways to transform a space, but statement pieces can get pricey, especially if they're a unique shape or made of an uncommon material. To get around this high cost, consider making your own upcycled hanging light out of an old funnel. Funnels already have a convenient hole, so you won't need any power tools to accomplish this DIY. Pick up a hanging light kit, thread the wire through the hole in the funnel, and screw on the lightbulb to secure everything together. Mount it, and you're good to go.

If you're a fan of unique holiday décor, whether that means exploring non-traditional color schemes or playing around with different materials, this DIY project might be for you. Funnels are designed to more precisely direct the flow of liquid, but their conical shape can also coincidentally make them the perfect base for an upcycled Christmas tree decoration. Stack a few funnels together, starting with the largest and moving up to the smallest, to create a tree shape. From here, you can leave it as-is or make a trunk out of an upcycled candlestick to finish it off.

If you enjoy fiber arts crafts like knitting and crocheting, you know how annoying it can be when your ball of yarn rolls off while you're working on a piece. Plenty of people solve this issue with yarn bowl — a bowl that holds on to your yarn ball and has a hole on the side to thread the strand through — but there's something else that can accomplish the same task. Place your ball of yarn in a funnel and pull the thread through to more easily stabilize and detangle it without having to go out and buy anything new.

Making your own birdhouse is a fun craft that can benefit both you and the animals around your home, but if you're looking for a twist on a plain wood structure, consider making one out of upcycled objects. Because of its unique shape, an old funnel can make for the perfect roof on your little house. Use it to top a large can to create the base, then carve a hole on the front to finish it off. To prevent pooling water from rain, it might also be a good idea to close off the top of the funnel.

Decorating the home with flowers can help you brighten up just about any space, but if you don't want to have to deal with swapping them out once they wilt, faux is the way to go. To create a quick and easy faux flower display that has a bit more personality than a simple vase, consider using a funnel. Flip it upside down so it has a supportive base, then place your flower stems in the spout. This narrow opening will give your flowers extra support, so you won't have to rely on aids like floral foam.

Still hanging on to a lamp that you're not in love with? Repurpose the old lampshade for another project and replace it with a funnel. While it might seem like a bit of a strange choice at first glance, funnels are actually the perfect shape to help diffuse and soften light from a bulb. Before attempting this project, however, make sure you keep your materials in mind. If you're working with a funnel that could potentially melt or warp, it's a good idea to swap your existing bulb for an LED light to avoid this problem.

Candles can help to set the mood and create a warm, cozy atmosphere, but if you don't have a candleholder for your taper candle, you're out of luck. Unless you have an old funnel on hand, that is. Flip over your funnel so the spout is facing up, then place the end of your candle into the spout to secure it. The wide base at the bottom will prevent your candle from falling over, helping to ensure that your romantic dinner or relaxing night in isn't cut short by any potential fire hazards.

When you imagine a wall sconce, the first thing that pops into your head is likely something ornate that would be found in a mansion or creepy castle. While this style certainly makes for a fun design choice, there are plenty of other options available that read a bit more modern. This funnel wall sconce idea, for example, is perfect if you're going for an eclectic, industrial, or farmhouse look in your space. Create a support out of repurposed metal and wood, add on your funnel, and thread a light through for some unique wall lighting.

Did you know that if you don't have a coffee maker on hand, you can actually create one on your own fairly easily? For this DIY, all you'll need are some skewers, glue, and a funnel. Take your funnel and remove the narrow part of the spout, if desired, then attach the skewers to the narrower side of the funnel with the glue. With this modification, you should be able to place your funnel directly over your mug or coffee pot, add in a coffee filter, and brew a delicious cup of joe without a machine.

Jack-o'-lanterns are a classic piece of DIY Halloween décor, but if you're not too keen on the idea of scooping out pumpkin seeds or having to clean up a mess at the end of the season, consider creating one out of a different base. While they might not mimic the exact shape of a pumpkin, funnels are a surprisingly great fit for the job. Flip over your funnel so it's stable, then get to work painting. The best part of this project? You can easily store and use your funnel jack-o'-lantern as décor year after year.

Cornucopias are a traditional symbol of fruitful harvest and, as such, frequently make their way into autumnal and winter décor. Filling one with branches, flowers, and seasonal produce can make for a fantastic table centerpiece during the holidays, but it can feel a bit wasteful to invest in something specifically for this limited purpose. Instead, consider using a funnel. They're a similar shape, so they can give off the same impression without much modification. With some clever styling, this simple object can bring the perfect dose of seasonal flair to your décor.

If you're hosting a special event like a party or wedding, table centerpieces can make a serious impact on the overall look and theme of the space. The problem? They can get very expensive, very quickly. To make your own on a budget, pick up one of these Mirrors with Decorative Frames from Dollar Tree, glue a candlestick on top, then secure your funnel on top of that. Give everything a coat of spray paint to make it look more cohesive, then finish off with some lush faux flowers placed in the funnel.

How you choose to decorate your space is highly personal, so there's no better way to make your vision come to life than creating your own décor pieces. With this funnel idea, you can fully customize the final product to fit your home's aesthetic. Paint your funnel, if desired, then thread a string through the spout to more easily hang it once you're done. From here, attach some strands of beads, string, or chain to the rim of the funnel and trim them to different lengths as you go around to create a cascading effect. 

If you're looking to repurpose items that would otherwise go to waste, making your own bird feeder is a great project to consider. Pretty much anything shaped like a cup, bowl, or plate can work to hold on to bird seed, but once you get that set up and find a way to mount it or hang it from a branch, you also need to find something to protect the seed from exposure to rain and snow. A funnel is the perfect fit for this job because it has sloped sides that guard against moisture without causing pooling.

Adding a hummingbird feeder to your outdoor space is a great way to attract these tiny birds to your yard and help them fuel up, but the sugary liquid you use to fill these feeders can also draw in another kind of visitor: ants. If you have an issue with ants climbing up the pole to your hummingbird feeder and taking over, try adding a funnel a few inches above the bottom of the pole. As they climb up the pole, they'll face a blockade on their pre-mapped path and have to turn around.