12 Genius Ways You Should Be Repurposing Leftover Tissue Paper Around The House

Tissue paper is a trusted way of packaging gifts in bags and boxes. However, it typically doesn't have a very long lifespan. The second those presents are unwrapped, the paper usually gets tossed to the side, never to be used again. It's also easy to end up with a heap of unused tissue paper on your hands. After all, it's sold in large packs, and if you only need to wrap a single gift, odds are you'll have at least a few sheets left over. Unfortunately, tissue paper is not easy to recycle, and many recycling centers won't accept it. This leaves you with two options: Throw it in the trash, or find a way to reuse it. Fortunately, there are several nifty ways you can repurpose leftover tissue paper, including using it for a myriad of art projects, party decorations, and a few functional tasks too.

Even if your tissue paper is used and wrinkled, you can refresh it. For a few of these projects, it doesn't matter if the paper is slightly crumpled. However, it's easy to remove the wrinkles from used tissue paper and render it like new. One way is to iron it on low heat with a cloth on top of it to smooth out the wrinkles. Another method is to lay the paper flat and work it back into its original rectangular shape. Then, spritz it with water and smooth it out with your hands, being extremely gentle so as not to rip the paper. It should then dry wrinkle-free and ready for these 12 genius ways to repurpose leftover tissue paper.

A fantastic way to reuse tissue paper that either holds sentimental value to you or is way too cute to throw away is to frame and hang it up on your wall. First, you'll want to get the wrinkles out. You can do this with either the misting method, or by carefully ironing it. Then, slide the paper into your favorite frame and hang it on the wall. To give your room a chic touch, use designer wrapping paper like in the photo featured above.

Express your creative side and put that old tissue paper to use by making these beautiful decorated glass jars. In addition to leftover tissue paper, you'll need Mod Podge and a few old glass jars. Cut the paper into strips, squares, or another shape, and then gently brush it onto the jar with Mod Podge in the design you want. Be gentle while brushing so the paper doesn't rip. When you're finished, either use the jars for storage or place candles in them to create lovely colorful lanterns.

Few things spark as cozy an atmosphere as turning on the fireplace. However, not all of us are so fortunate as to have a functioning fireplace in our home. The good news is that you can easily DIY an adorable faux fire with paint, tissue paper, paper towel tubes, and a lantern. Paint the tubes to resemble logs, cross them together, and fluff up orange, red, and yellow hues of tissue paper around them. Put it all together in front of a small lamp to light it up and give the illusion of a real fire.

Another great way to reuse tissue paper around the house is to fold it into cheery and colorful party decorations. To start, layer five pieces of tissue paper in a stack. If you're making these decorations for a party, try to color coordinate the paper. Next, fold the tissue into a fan. Cut the edges into a rounded shape, and staple or tape the middle. Finally, fluff it up by pulling the folds out so that it resembles a large flower or pom pom, and then display it proudly in your home.

With a canvas, some old tissue paper, scissors, and Mod Podge, you can create a beautiful piece of art to frame in your home. All you need to do is cut the tissue paper and layer it onto the canvas with the Mod Podge into the scene you want to create. For a more abstract design, rip the tissue paper instead of using the scissors. The sunset, flowers, and ocean are just a few simple ideas for what you can create. Additionally, this can be a great, mess-free substitute for painting, especially for kids.

Rather than throwing away your hefty collection of unused tissue paper, consider creating a tassel garland. Start by stacking a few papers and cutting them into wide strips, leaving a few inches uncut at the top. Then, open up one sheet of the paper so the cut pieces are on the sides, and roll it from top to bottom. Twist the top end, and secure it with glue, tape, or ribbon. Repeat with a few more stacks of paper, and hang each tassel on a cord to create a colorful, upcycled garland.

Tissue paper can also be reused as padding for fragile items you're packing away to put in storage. Whether it's ornaments you're stowing for the holiday season, or fancy glasses and china you only pull out for special occasions, tissue paper can work excellently for padding. Just be sure to use plenty of paper and crumple it up well to help prevent any breakage. Tissue paper is particularly great for stemware, as you can easily insert it into the glass itself, in addition to around the stems.

Add a hint of sparkle to any room with these beautiful tissue paper suncatchers that are the perfect decor project for both kids and adults. You'll need black paper, scissors, clear contact paper, and of course, some leftover colorful tissue paper. Use the black paper to cut a frame. Then, attach the contact paper, and stick strips of tissue paper on top of it. Finally, place your suncatcher in the window to let the light shine through it. For some extra sparkle, try incorporating a few strips of glittery tissue paper into your suncatcher.

Concocting a mixture of food coloring, vinegar, and hot water isn't the only way to decorate Easter eggs. For a gloriously mess- and paint-free alternative, consider using tissue paper to ornament the eggs instead. One way to do this is to twist the tissue paper until it resembles a string, and then attach it to the egg in a swirly pattern. Another method is to dye the eggs using tissue paper by dipping them in water, and then attaching strips of paper so the ink bleeds off onto the eggshell.

A festive way to reuse leftover tissue paper is to turn it into a wreath. You'll need glue, a circular frame, and plenty of tissue paper. Simply cut the tissue paper into squares, slightly crimp them with your hands, and attach them to the frame to create the wreath. For a fluffier wreath, use larger pieces of tissue paper that jut further out from the base. Jazz it up by adding a bow or a welcome sign. When you're finished, be sure to hang the decoration somewhere completely dry and covered so the paper doesn't disintegrate.

There are so many options for using tissue paper to create beautiful Christmas ornaments. You can use Mod Podge to attach colorful festive tissue paper to the exterior of clear bulbs, or even fold it up and work it inside the bulb for a snow globe effect. Or, for a more minimalist and elegant look, fold white tissue paper into flowers and display them sporadically across your Christmas tree. Another way is to cut circular pieces of cardboard and glue little squares of colorful paper onto them in a decorative pattern to create the prettiest holiday ornaments.

In case none of these tissue paper crafts and upcycles are calling to you, add the tissue paper to your compost. Be sure it doesn't have any glitter, shine, or foil. Adding paper is actually great for your compost because the extra carbon will help decompose the organic materials in your bin. But don't just dump a heap of tissue paper straight into the container. Shred the paper into small pieces before you toss it into your composting bin.