While browsing thrift stores, you might pass by ashtrays as they seem like remnants from a past smoking era. However, incorporating one into your home can add a distinctive touch to your decor and offer various unexpected uses. If you’re concerned about lingering odors, rest assured that a quick clean with a common kitchen ingredient will eliminate any smoke smell.
After ensuring the ashtray is clean, consider its potential as a decor piece. It can bring a vintage appeal to different areas of your home. You might place it on a bookshelf to display small items like polished stones or mini figurines, thanks to its shallow shape and defined edges. When hosting guests, an ashtray can double as a stylish serving accessory, holding items like mints, lemon slices, or cocktail garnishes, adding a unique twist to your table setup. The distinct designs of many ashtrays can complement your serving pieces, sparking conversations among guests. For art enthusiasts, some ashtrays with intricate designs or bright colors can be mounted alongside decorative plates, creating an eclectic wall display that merges functionality with artistic flair, turning a simple ashtray into a centerpiece.
Repurposing ashtrays around the house
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, ashtrays can serve as chic and functional household items due to their shape and design. The grooves, initially for resting cigarettes, can hold various items. In the kitchen, use an ashtray as a stylish spoon rest. Its heat-resistant and concave shape makes it perfect for keeping countertops clean while cooking, and the grooves keep utensils in place. On a vanity or art station, ashtrays can organize jewelry, makeup, or paintbrushes, and even hold shaving brushes and equipment.
Revitalize a vintage ashtray by using it as a candle holder. Ashtrays are often sturdy, making them a safe base for pillar or votive candles, contributing to the ambiance of any room. In your entryway, they can serve as catch-alls for loose change and keys, merging functionality with style. For minimalists, ashtrays can act as coasters. Their flat surface and slight edge help prevent spills on furniture, offering protection while adding elegance. With thrift stores offering so many options, finding one that fits your home and budget is easy.
Transforming ashtrays into new creations
For those who enjoy DIY projects, ashtrays provide a great foundation for new creations, combining creativity with sustainability. Consider turning one into a garden feature like a bird feeder or birdbath. Secure an ashtray on a sturdy stand or hang it from a tree branch, filling it with birdseed or water to attract birds and wildlife to your yard. Alternatively, create a wind chime by attaching chimes and decorative objects to a crystal or glass ashtray. When hung where it can catch the breeze, it will produce soothing sounds while casting rainbows in the right light.
Another creative use for an ashtray is crafting a cake or cupcake stand. Attach a glass or candlestick to an overturned ashtray base to form a pedestal, then place a decorative plate on top for a unique display. For cupcakes, use an upside-down cocktail glass with the ashtray glued on top. Enhance your office with mini glass jars as desktop planters and create a mini zen garden from an ashtray. Fill it with fine sand, add tiny stones, a bell, and a miniature rake, creating a desktop oasis for relaxation during busy days.
