When we consume tea leaves or mooncakes, the packaging often includes sturdy iron boxes. These boxes are of high quality but seem to have little use at home, and it’s a pity to throw them away. Most end up discarded. My mother would often lament when she found out I had thrown away these iron boxes: ‘Why throw away these good boxes? They’re perfect for storage!’ Today, I’d like to share with you how to make the most of common iron boxes found at home. Once you learn these tips, transform your iron boxes right away.
01. Tea Boxes into Jewelry Boxes
After my father finished the tea leaves he bought, the tea box was too good to throw away and almost became moldy at home. Both my father and mother were reluctant to discard it. I came across a transformation by a netizen @WeiRanXiaoXi online, which instantly captivated me. I never expected that a small tea box, with just a few minor alterations, could be turned into a jewelry box. Materials needed: stickers, hardware, glue. Adhere the tea box, then apply attractive stickers, and the basic shape is formed. Stickers are also used for the cabinet door, with the edges and corners secured with hardware, resulting in a beautiful jewelry box. The completed jewelry box looks great when displayed at home, resembling a piece of art.
02. Mooncake Boxes into Fruit Baskets
It’s a shame to throw away mooncake boxes, but they also take up space at home. I usually put miscellaneous items inside the mooncake boxes, which seemed to be utilized, but finding things was very inconvenient. Upon opening the box, everything was messy inside. Coincidentally, our home lacked a fruit basket, so Id some attractive stickers on the outside of the mooncake box. It’s perfect for holding fruits and is particularly durable. If appearance is not a concern, there’s no need for stickers; simply use it for fruits.
03. Egg Roll Boxes into Dried Fruit Boxes
An online dried fruit box costs tens of dollars, but unexpectedly, the unused iron boxes at home can be directly transformed into dried fruit boxes. Prepare a cardboard box, cut it into several pieces, and then secure them inside the iron box to create compartments. You can make as many sections as you like. When making dividers, cut a groove in each piece and interlock two pieces of cardboard, securing them inside the iron box. On the iron box lid, your favorite small figurines, and a beautiful dried fruit box is ready.
04. Mosquito Coil Stands
In the summer, when using mosquito coils, the stands that come with them are prone to falling over. If you have an iron box at home, you can utilize it to make a mosquito coil stand. Thread a chopstick or a piece of wire through the mosquito coil, clip it with a paper clip, and then place the mosquito coil in the center of the iron box.
If you find your tea boxes unattractive, consider purchasing some decorative stickers to enhance their appearance.
05. Lipstick Organizer – A lipstick organizer typically costs several tens of dollars. However, if you have metal tins at home, there’s no need to spend money on one. All you need are some rubber bands. By placing rubber bands around the metal tin, you can create a compartmentalized storage box for lipsticks and cosmetics. This is not only cost-effective but also practical for everyday use.
06. Storage Box – Don’t throw away the metal tins in your home; instead, place them in drawers for organizing miscellaneous items. Simply put the metal tins in the drawer. It’s best if the tins vary in size to accommodate different items more effectively.
07. DIY Vase – Metal tins can be transformed into vases by adorning them with attractive stickers and using them to hold plants. They can be a beautiful addition to your home, eliminating the need to purchase a vase.
In conclusion, if you have metal tins at home, don’t discard them. Try the transformation methods shared today to turn these waste items into treasures!
