10 Creative Ways To Repurpose Pen And Pencil Holders Around The House

Pen and pencil holders are one of those office items that blend into the background when it comes to organization. However, these storage pieces can be more than just somewhere to pop your writing utensils. Instead of letting them be an afterthought, why not find new ways to repurpose pen and pencil holders as a way to keep your home organized and free from clutter? There are countless ways to breathe new life into pen and pencil holders, like creating your own makeup brush display or using them as a way to store craft supplies. You can turn these cups into tiny, powerful organizational tools with many uses outside of the office, using just a little bit of elbow grease and creativity.

Before finding your favorite way to repurpose pen and pencil holders, it can be helpful to make sure you have some basic DIY tools on hand. Most of the projects below require nothing more than what you choose to store or display inside the holder itself, but that doesn't mean you can't change things up with some customization. For example, add some contact paper or fun paint to help it blend with your decor or stand out if you want to make a statement with the final product.

Has your toothbrush holder seen better days when it comes to grimy buildup? These handy tools store our toothbrushes for us every day, but this can leave them susceptible to standing water and bacteria. Instead of running out to the store, grab your old pencil holder and use it to store them in the proper upright position. Depending on the material, you can even drill a hole into the bottom of the cup to provide a drainage hole and spray the cup with a waterproof sealant to keep it from getting damaged.

Another hack that has a lot of customization options is using an old pencil holder as a decorative vase or DIY propagation station. This project works especially well for tall and narrow pencil holders when displaying a fresh flower arrangement, but you can also opt for faux flowers for a low-maintenance decoration that lasts year-round. If you want to grow your very own plants, drill a hole into the bottom of the pencil cup for draining and fill it with soil before adding plants. Personalize the exterior with paint or decoupage, if desired.

You can simplify tech storage by turning an old pencil holder into a compact charging station perfect for any room in the house. All you have to do is drill small holes in the back of the holder for cables to pass through and keep cords hidden while charging all of your family's devices. This is especially helpful for keeping your work desk or bedside table free from tangled wires. However, this project is best suited for large, organizer-style pencil holders that sit on desktops.

For beauty enthusiasts, repurposed pencil holders make perfect organizers for makeup brushes. These holders' vertical design helps keep the brushes upright and easy to access. You can even opt for holders with divided sections to separate different types of brushes or line the inside with a decorative filler like beads to keep brushes standing tall. You'll want to clean the holder regularly or choose a pencil holder that won't be damaged with daily use. Finish this project by painting the cup or adding fun embellishments like some Meschett Decorative Glass Gems.

Crafters will love repurposing pencil holders as a way to safely store all of their project supplies. These cups can be used to organize tall items like markers, paintbrushes, or knitting needles, as well as items like buttons that can be easily misplaced. Be sure to label each holder for quick identification of what's inside and customize them with patterns to match your taste if you want to add a touch of personality to the space. Not only will all of your crafting essentials be neatly stored, but it will give the pen holders a second life.

Tired of losing your remote controls? Or, even worse, finding them left out all around the house? Instead, try creating a hidden storage solution for all of your remotes by repurposing an old pencil holder into a handy caddy. You can keep the caddy tucked away to minimize clutter while also always knowing where your remotes are for easy access. Use as many pencil cups as you have remotes, or opt for a desk organizer-sized pencil holder to eliminate the process of building a structure from scratch.

While it may be easy to store and organize large items like jars in the refrigerator, smaller items like condiment packets can sometimes get hidden or overlooked. Then, you end up finding a stash of hot sauce and ketchup with questionable expiration dates that have been sitting in the back of a drawer. One way to improve your refrigerator organization is to use an old pencil holder as a storage vessel for small food items. This can work for condiment packets or even items like cheese and meat sticks.

With all we have to do in our kitchens each day, from prepping meals to spending time together, it's easy for this space to feel cluttered. One way to tackle this is to repurpose an old pencil holder into a storage cup for small kitchen tools and utensils, which usually end up scattered on the countertop or in a messy drawer. Instead, store them in a neat container on your countertop or place them on a pantry shelf to keep concealed. The best part? You can cover the holder in contact paper for a luxe finish.

Create a snack station both kids and adults will love by repurposing pen holders to store individually wrapped snacks like granola bars or even packets of nuts. This makes it easy to grab your favorite snacks on the go while also preventing clutter in your kitchen cabinets. Yet, the magic of this project is how you choose to store and display the snacks. Some people may find it helpful to place it in kid's common areas for easy access, while others may choose to utilize drawer space as pantry storage instead.

Finally, repurpose pen holders outside the office by stashing them around the house filled with handy personal items. This can look like anything, from having a holder next to your bed for eyeglasses to holding nail files in the bathroom. In the kitchen, you can fill them with things you like to grab on the go or as a way to keep things like straws or silverware contained. You can even take your organization to the next level by assigning each family member their own holder for personal belongings.