8 Unexpected Ways To Repurpose Charging Cords & Cables Around The House

Do you find bundles of tangled charging cables accumulating all over your house? You're not alone. It seems like every new piece of tech we buy comes with a charging cable, causing them to build up in drawers around our homes. Instead of tossing them in the trash, why not give those old cords new life by repurposing them into something fresh? There are countless practical ways to repurpose charging cords and cables, from creating DIY wall art to using them as an organizational tool. Repurposing household items for new use in the home or garden is an excellent way to help prevent these types of items from ending up in landfills. 

Most phone charging cables are made from PVC or some form of nylon, both known for being durable materials. This enhanced strength means that even if the cable is outdated for your device, it can still stand up to being used as the base of an arts and crafts project or to easily hang picture frames. If you end up with more charging cables than you have DIY project ideas for, you can always recycle them to help make sure the valuable materials inside, like copper, are properly handled so they can be reused to minimize their impact on the environment.

If you're someone with an artistic flair, turning old charging cables into wire sculptures might be an ideal repurposing project. You can get creative with the design before bending the wire into an abstract or realistic piece of art. If you're a DIY beginner, choose a design that uses one continuous line to help keep things simple. These types of decorative elements can be great conversation starters and can be enhanced by adding things like paint or a mirror. Take a bold risk and go outside the box with a do-it-yourself wire sculpture.

Your old charging cords can be repurposed into tabletop beaded trees. These tiny pops of flair are perfect for the holiday season or year-round decor. All you have to do is remove the outside portion of the cord and bend the wires into the shape of an abstract tree. Then, top it with your favorite color beads, like these KISSITTY Glow in The Dark Beads. Display it in a small pot filled with rocks or decorative paper. This easy project brings a whimsical touch to your space, and you can adjust the embellishments to suit your style.

You don't have to keep those old cords confined indoors! Instead, bring them outside and repurpose them for the garden. For example, cords are a great base for wrapping rope around and using it as a hanging plant holder. There's also an option to use the wires from broken cords as ties to help hold up small plants in the garden. This can be anything from securing potted plants to marking seedlings or just as a way to customize the design scheme for your hanging greenery.

It may seem counterproductive to reach for an old charging cable when you're trying to declutter, but there is a method to this madness. Essentially, this is a cable organization hack where you use your outdated cable to group all of your cables, chargers, and extension cords. You'll want to wrap them all securely before using the old cord to bundle them together. This can be a tool for storage or as a way to keep your workspace clean and tidy. The best part is you don't need any extra tools or materials for this trick.

If you're someone who likes a non-traditional approach to their design style, grab an old charging cable and use it as the base for new curtain ties. You can use them as is by wrapping them around the curtain and tying them back for a straightforward approach. There's also the option to wrap the cord with some form of rope or twine to give it a decorative and polished finish. Then, wrap it around your curtains at the desired height and secure it with a knot or twist.

Need a quick picture-hanging solution? Repurpose your old charging cord into a sturdy hanging tool for your favorite pictures. The simple idea behind this hack is to cut your cord to the needed length, loop or secure it to the frame hooks, then secure it to the wall with a nail or hook. It's important that you keep the frame's weight in mind when using a cord or wire to hang pictures. This hack is best suited for lighter frames, though you can pin the wire to the wall and hang frameless pictures with clothespins.

Looking for a way to display your keys, jewelry, or knick-knacks? Weave a bundle of old cords into a basket for the ultimate storage hack. For this project, you'll want to keep the outer casing on the cord before weaving them in your desired basket pattern design. One helpful tip is to use a bowl around the same size you'd like the basket to be as a guide. Use cords all the same color for a sleek look, or repurpose all the cords you have and display a variety of color hues.

Charging cords can serve as a fundamental element for creative wall art, like a hanging eggshell mosaic. You can customize the background colors while sticking to the basic idea of creating a tree with blossoms. All you have to do is arrange the eggshell pieces on a board, then hot glue the cord in a way that mimics tree branches. They can overlap and be different lengths, or you can create multiple trees on one board. This project is excellent for those who want to showcase their talent and repurpose materials.