Wait, Don’t Throw Out Your Old Keys — 7 Smart Ways to Reuse Them Around Your House

• Transform old keys into Christmas ornaments, wine charms, or curtain weights for decor.
• Use keys as small scrapers, spreaders, or embed them in concrete for home improvement.
• Turn keys into hooks for entryways or workspace organization, or use them as a low-cost pest alert system.
  

The next time you’re going through a drawer or bin in your home and stumble upon a set of old keys that you know you no longer need, don’t be so quick to throw them away. There are actually many viable uses for old keys that range from decorative to functional, experts say, and you might be surprised by all of the unique purposes that they can serve throughout the house.

Here, we outline seven different methods for reusing old keys that you will want to consider following your next cleanout.

Turn Keys Into Wine Charms

Rather than purchasing wine charms from the store, why not make your own using old keys? Sarah Teresinski, an expert DIYer and the founder of Redeux Style, suggests taking a handful of keys and spray painting each a different color and then twisting some twine through the top.

Then, when guests come over, each person can select a key in the color of their choosing and attach it to their glass to keep track of whose drink is whose.

Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!

Use Keys to Weigh Down Curtains

If your curtains are fluttering around too much and you’re looking to add weight to them, simply grab some old keys, which you can then pin or sew into curtain hems, Teresinski explains. She recently applied this hack to her outdoor curtains and has found it to be an excellent solution.

Turn Keys Into Christmas Ornaments

It’s always fun to DIY your own Christmas ornaments, and you can really elevate keys so that they look special on the tree, Teresinski explains.

She suggests painting old keys holiday colors, such as red and green or blue and white, and then gluing several together by the base using superglue so that they look like a snowflake. All you’ll have to do next is grab some twine or string so that your festive creations are ready to hang.

Add Old Keys to Concrete

Danny Niemela, who is a contractor and the vice president of ArDan Construction, a home remodeling company, explains that his company has added old keys into poured concrete to add intrigue to patio steps or garden edging.

“Clients love the texture,” he says, noting that he will mix keys in with coins, bottle caps, and other metal scraps. “It gives the concrete a unique mosaic feel and keeps garbage out of the landfill.”

Turn Keys Into Hooks

DIY your own hooks for the home using some old keys. You will want to grab three to five old keys and install them horizontally onto a piece of wood—Niemela recommends a narrow timber strip, allowing for about two inches of space between each key. Niemela recommends drilling through the base of the key and fastening each to the wood strip using 25 millimeter screws.

“It works great in entryways or next to a workspace,” he says. “Function first, aesthetics second, but this gives both!”

Use Keys for Home Repair Projects

The next time you’re taking on a home repair project, look around for some old keys before heading to the hardware store. Once you locate them, you may not need to purchase as many materials as you think. After all, Niemela explains, keys make for excellent small flat spreaders or scrapers once you have grinded down their teeth.

“They are great for removing glue residue, lifting dried paint flakes, or smoothing tight filler gaps in renovation jobs,” he says, citing keys’ heat-resistant, thin, and sturdy qualities. “No need to keep buying plastic tools when you already have solid metal ready for repurposing.”

Hang Keys Throughout the Home

What if there was a way to determine whether pests are sneakily wandering through your home when you’re not aware? Keys can be a helpful resource here, Niemela explains, and suggests hanging a handful of them behind storage doors.

He explains how the sound triggers easily and lets you know when something moves, noting that this is a great way to pinpoint critters. Best of all, it’s a solution that is completely free.

“No fuss, no batteries, just basic mechanics,” Niemela says.