Don’t throw out your leftover vinyl scraps! These ten ideas help you use them up and get your house more organized at the same time. Sponsored by Cricut.
As a crafter, you’ve probably got tons of scrap pieces of vinyl hanging out in your craft room. Vinyl isn’t cheap, and we aren’t about it let it go to waste, right? If your scrap vinyl stash is starting to burst at the seams but you aren’t really sure what to do with all those little pieces, here are ten easy home improvement projects to boost your organization game without spending any money at all. Break out your Cricut machine, grab your sharpest scissors, and let’s DIY the house!
1. Color Code Cords
Use strips of leftover solid-colored vinyl to color-coordinate your cords and wires. Wrap a strip of one color around the base of the cord near the outlet it’s plugged into, then stick a small square piece of vinyl onto the back of the thing the cord goes to. That way if the cord accidentally comes unplugged, you’ll know the orange cord goes with the surround sound because there’s an orange sticker on the back of the receiver.
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2. Add Expiration Dates To Pantry Storage Containers
While these containers are great for keeping food fresh, you really don’t know how long it’s been in there, and since you trashed the original box, you don’t know when it expires either. Cut erasable vinyl scraps like dry erase or chalkboard coated materials into small rectangles and stick on the back of your pantry containers to write use-by dates. Remember to change the date when you refill them.
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3. Emergency Pet Window Decals
This is a really easy project and could save your pets’ lives in the event of a flood or fire. Use leftover outdoor vinyl scraps to make decals of each type of pet you have, along with text clearly stating there are animals inside. If you aren’t home and an emergency happens, firefighters don’t know how many, if any at all, pets are in your house. Putting these decals near all entry points help your fur babies have a better chance of being rescued. Here’s the full tutorial and cut template.
Supplies You Need:
- Cricut Permanent Vinyl
- Basic Tool Set
- Cricut Design Space
4. Color Code Clothes Hangers In The Coat Closet
Trying to keep coats separated by person is pretty much impossible to do, and you can’t expect the rest of the family to keep that up in this quick-grab place of the house. Instead, assign each family member a color and use strips of scrap vinyl to wrap around the hangers of their coats. Now they’ll always know which coats are theirs without pushing them all around and making a mess.
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5. Iron On Labels To Fabric Bins
Fabric bins are one of the most popular storage containers, but they’re also one of the hardest to label. Use leftover iron-on vinyl to make permanent labels that won’t fall off the bins to make it clear what’s inside. This works really well for kids’ toys, guest bedrooms, and linen closets. You can see the full tutorial on ironing vinyl onto fabric bins without burning them here.
Supplies You Need:
- Cricut Iron-On Vinyl
- Basic Tool Set
- Cricut Easy Press or Iron
- Cricut Iron-On Protective Sheet or Butcher Paper
- Design Space
6. Upcycle Empty Canisters
Before you throw away a canister from your coffee, snacks, or cleaning supplies, hold it right there. If you peeled off the label and gave it a good wash, could it become a helpful organizer? If so, break out your scrap vinyl stash and look for a piece that will turn your trash into treasure. I upcycled these disinfectant wipe bottles with half a sheet of patterned vinyl and a scrap piece of chalkboard vinyl.
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7. Organize Your Bathroom
Dress up cheap bathroom organizers by adding customized decals using tiny scraps of vinyl that would otherwise be thrown away. You can use the Scrap Mat feature in Design Space to make small image decals to label canisters holding things like Q-tips, cotton swabs, dental floss, bobby pins, and makeup brushes. Since most of these containers are pretty small, it’s best to make picture labels instead of words, because teeny letters might be hard to read.
Supplies You Need:
- Any type of vinyl scraps
- Basic Tool Set
- Cricut Design Space
8. Jumbo Sized Mailbox Numbers
Set your mailbox apart from the rest of the neighborhood by making your own mailbox numbers that stand out from the basic cheap stickers sold at the home improvement store. Using Cricut Permanent Vinyl and a bold, modern font, you can create mailbox numbers the pizza delivery guy won’t be able to miss.
Supplies You Need:
- Cricut Permanent Vinyl
- Basic Tool Set
- Cricut Design Space
9. Weatherproof Garage Tote Bin Labels
Labeling plastic storage totes is nearly impossible. Stickers and tape fall off, and markers smear and fade. When you’re ready to spend the weekend organizing your garage, take some time to make permanent labels that will stand up to the heat, cold, and humidity in your storage space. Use a simple font like Cricut Sans to make finding what you need quick and easy.
Supplies You Need:
- Cricut Permanent Vinyl
- Basic Tool Set
- Cricut Design Space
10. Customized Pet Bowls
Give your pets the royal treatment by upgrading their dinner spot with personalized bowls. Any scrap vinyl will work, but if you have it on hand opt Cricut Outdoor Vinyl, which can hold up to water splashes and light washing. I used a piece of holographic vinyl to make cute food and water bowls for each of my cat’s unique personalities.
Supplies You Need:
- Cricut Permanent Vinyl (or any other kind of vinyl you have on hand)
- Basic Tool Set
- Cricut Design Space
Want More Cricut Vinyl Projects?
Vinyl is my favorite product to work with and I’m always adding new projects on the blog. If you fangirl over Cricut vinyl like I do, come over here and sit by me. I knew I liked you. 🙂 Every Wednesday a new Cricut project, tutorial, or tip is posted on the blog and on Instagram. If you want a sneak peek of that post in your inbox, drop your email below. I’ll send you a notification when new posts are available. You can also scroll all my Cricut project archives here.
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