Reuse Your Old CD Containers To Upgrade Your Crafting & DIY Space

Once upon a time, CD containers made for great storage, but in 2024, it's more likely that they're just contributing more clutter to your home. That doesn't mean you have to toss them out, though. Just as it's possible to repurpose old CDs in your home, it's super easy to upcycle their storage containers into string or craft yarn dispensers that you're guaranteed to reuse again and again. First thing's first, a note on the type of container to use for this hack. We're referring to the cylindrical containers used to store just the discs themselves, which often come with a spindle. 

With one of these, all you need to do is pop your string or yarn over the spindle, then drill a hole in the lid big enough for it to be pulled through, and you've got yourself a genius craft room or DIY storage upcycle. Having said that, if your old CD container doesn't have a spindle, there's no need to run out and get one (surprisingly, they are still available on Amazon for around $12). After all, the goal is to reuse what you already have. If your CD container is spindle-less, simply pop the string inside, pull some through the hole, and you're good to go. It won't look quite as intentional as having the string placed on the spindle, but it'll work just as effectively. 

Once you have your dispenser, it's time to decide where to put it. One option, if you have a specially set-up crafting and DIY area with a shelf, is to screw the CD container's base to its underside. Keep a pair of scissors nearby, and all you have to do is pull the string down as you work and snip it off. No shelf? You could also screw it to the underside of your desk. If your DIY table is on the smaller side (say, for example, if you've turned an IKEA MOPPE into an adorable crafting station), screwing the CD container to it might not be an option. Not to worry, though, you can still reuse your old container regardless. 

Instead of attaching it, you can place it in a drawer or on a table top. You'll just need to keep a piece of string out of the dispenser at all times, to avoid it slipping in and getting lost. Some tape or Blu Tack is all you'll need to keep it securely in place. Wherever you end up placing your CD container-turned-string-storage, it's bound to be a major help with all your crafting and DIY projects. Furthermore, the fact that you'll be reusing something rather than adding yet another item to a landfill is just the icing on the cake. Happy crafting!