Don't Overlook This Commonly-Thrifted Item Just Because You're Not A Smoker

You might stroll past ashtrays at thrift stores, dismissing them as relics of a bygone smoking era. But, snagging one can add a unique flair to your home decor and serve multiple functions you might not have considered. Now, you may be hesitant about the odor factor, but it's easy to tackle any lingering odors or grime. You can quickly eradicate the smell of smoke with a handy kitchen ingredient. 

Once your ashtray is clean and hygienic, it's time to think decor. Add a touch of vintage charm to various spots around your home. Consider placing one on a bookshelf to showcase small collectibles like polished stones or miniature figurines. Their shallow depth and defined edges make them perfect for keeping such items neatly displayed. Hosting guests? Your ashtray can moonlight as a chic serving accessory. Use it to hold mints, lemon slices, or even cocktail garnishes, adding an unexpected twist to your table setting. The unique designs of many ashtrays can complement your serve-ware, sparking conversations among guests. For those with a penchant for wall art, certain ashtrays, especially those with intricate designs or vibrant colors, can be mounted alongside decorative plates. This creates an eclectic wall display that blends functionality with artistic expression, turning a simple ashtray into a focal point.

Beyond using them to add a certain aesthetic to your space, you may add an ashtray to the list of countertop utensils that are chic and functional, thanks to their shape and design. Those handy grooves, originally intended for resting cigarettes, are perfect for holding various household items. In the kitchen, an ashtray can serve as a stylish spoon rest. Its heat-resistant material and concave shape make it ideal for keeping your countertops clean while cooking. Plus, the grooves can hold utensils in place, preventing them from sliding. On your vanity or art station, ashtrays become organizers for jewelry, makeup, or paintbrushes, or they can even be used to hold shaving brushes and equipment. 

Consider giving a vintage ashtray a new lease on life by using it as a candle holder. Ashtrays are often sturdy items and will make a safe base for pillar or votive candles, adding ambiance to any room. Similarly, placing one on your entryway table as a catch-all for loose change and keys combines functionality with flair. For the minimalist, ashtrays can double as coasters. Their flat surface and slight edge are perfect to prevent spillage on your furniture, protecting surfaces while adding a touch of elegance. And since there are so many available at thrift stores, it's easy to pick one up that suits your home and pocket.

If you're into DIY projects, ashtrays offer a fantastic base for creating entirely new items, blending creativity with sustainability. How about making a garden feature such as a bird feeder or birdbath? Invite birds and other critters by securing an ashtray atop a sturdy stand, or hang it from a tree branch, fill it with birdseed or water, and watch as your feathered friends flock to your yard. Or, how about crafting a wind chime? Not only will a crystal or glass ashtray create a myriad of rainbows in the right weather conditions, but if you attach chimes and beautiful objects to it and hang it where it can catch the breeze, it will produce soothing sounds to create an oasis.

Another inventive use for an ashtray is to create a cake or cupcake stand with it. Secure a glass or candlestick to an overturned ashtray base to form a pedestal. Place a decorative plate on top, and you've got a unique stand. It's even easier to create a stand for cupcakes with an upside-down cocktail glass, and gluing the ashtray on top to hold your confectionery. Transform your office with a set of mini glass jars and turn them into cute desktop planters, and add a mini zen garden made from an ashtray. Just fill it with fine sand, add a few tiny stones, a bell, and a miniature rake, and you've got a desktop oasis to help you unwind during hectic days.