What should I do with this?

Rhonda S
by Rhonda S
I scored a vintage style ice bucket today. We don't entertain enough to make it worth our time to store it, so I was wondering what you might do with it if it were yours? I was thinking sewing kit, but I really have a pretty good one. The only other thought I had was a covered waste basket for a bathroom or near a bed. Any other suggestions?
Weighted bottom makes it stable. a small chip in the rim of the lid, but otherwise pretty good condition.
  17 answers
  • Christie Cullen Christie Cullen on Sep 02, 2016
    Compost bucket for the kitchen
    • Rhonda S Rhonda S on Sep 02, 2016
      Thank You Christie Cullen. It would be a great place to accumulate scraps. I hadn't thought of that! the handle and lid would lend itself well.
  • Michele Lagoutte Michele Lagoutte on Sep 03, 2016
    You should go to Pinterest.com and enter surch "Ice Bucket Repurpose" then you'll get a lot of ideas
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 03, 2016
    thisgirlslifeblog.com/2014/06/repurposed-ice-bucket-html
  • Ann marie Ann marie on Sep 03, 2016
    Put a potted plant in it, pot and all; store your cookie cutters in it; put beautiful balls of yarn and put it next to a chair; make a pine cone display; put small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc. collected from motels and keep in bathroom for guests; store rice or pasta in it.
    • Rhonda S Rhonda S on Sep 03, 2016
      Thank You Ann marie. I had not thought of using it to hold a plant! The guest bath products idea is a terrific suggestion. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
  • Pam Pam on Sep 03, 2016
    Use it as a kitchen utensil holder on your counter....or a magazine holder next to your reading chair...unlimited uses!!!!
  • Elaine Elaine on Sep 03, 2016
    Oh my gosh, there's tons of things you can do! The suggestions above are all good ones. Do you knit? Store your yarn and needles in it. Do you have a fireplace, place it on the hearth and fill it with pretty grasses & roadside flowers that are so plentiful right now & make an attractive Autumn display. (Move it away if using a real fireplace due to sparks.). Fill with pinecones & real greenery for Christmas. Just use your imagination. Another idea: put rolled up hand towels in it and place in the bathroom.
  • Sheryl Gilliland Sheryl Gilliland on Sep 03, 2016
    My Bro-in-law uses it for compost. Fill and take to compost pile, rinse and reuse. I would use it for any wet cooking scraps with a plastic bread wrapper lining it, this would contain odors waiting for trash day.
  • BRIGITTE REECE BRIGITTE REECE on Sep 03, 2016
    i use my old but still stylish ice bucket to hold my yarn when i crochet - keeps it of the floor and clean.
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    • Ann marie Ann marie on Sep 04, 2016
      That was part of my suggestion. A display of yarns can be a focal point in a room, but using it to store a project is even better.
  • Annie Doherty Annie Doherty on Sep 03, 2016
    When I read the post immediately I thought plant pot holder would look very smart, maybe hung from a hook in your porch by front door area. The lid I would mount on your wall with either your house number or name painted on. As a previous poster suggested you can change the contents to match the season, I,e spring bulbs, hanging plants dressed up for 4th July, Halloween then a poinsettia or pine cones etc and a Christmas greeting? Wow look what you've started, now your spoilt for ideas. I must say it is too nice not be used for display somewhere? Good luck I hope you can post your final choice.
  • Jennie Lee Jennie Lee on Sep 03, 2016
    I have something like this that I use to store blank CDs/DVDs for my computer. Just guessing at the size, but someone who still has some much-loved 45s could keep them safe in it.
    • Rhonda S Rhonda S on Sep 03, 2016
      Thank You Jennie Lee! I don't have a 45 collection, but I bet you are right. It would be the right size.
  • Linda Linda on Sep 03, 2016
    I use mine on the kitchen counter for kitchen utensils. The lid is tucked under the handle.
  • Gloria Jean Dokken Gloria Jean Dokken on Sep 03, 2016
    It could be painted if you needed it to fit in with your decor. Use it for dried flower arrangements, cookie jar, put it on the dining table to hold napkins, paper or cloth. Cover it with fabric glued on as far as to the bottom of the black ring. Leave two to three inches not glued at the top to form a ruffle. Tie a matching ribbon around the bottom of the ruffle If you are going to use the lid cover it with matching cloth. You can use it on the picnic table to hold chips, or any of the uses named above. Maybe these suggestions will get your creative juices flowing and you can come up with your own ideas.
    • Rhonda S Rhonda S on Sep 03, 2016
      Thank You Gloria Jean Dokken. A covered container for snacks sounds really promising. I appreciate your taking the time to respond. I think shiny apples would be pretty and inviting!
  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 05, 2016
    Line it with a plastic food bag and put your munchies in it, cookies, party mix, popcorn, or just assorted mini candy bars. Since it is food grade and waterproof, maybe holding potatoes, onions, (not airtight storage..might spoil faster). Great find!
    • Rhonda S Rhonda S on Sep 05, 2016
      Thank You Sharon. I,m leaning toward a lunch bucket for exactly that reason, or with the lid off displyong fruit for snacks at home.
  • Cathy C Cathy C on Sep 05, 2016
    cookie jar
  • Renata Renata on Sep 05, 2016
    I can see colored rope wrapped around it with a ribbon , with sea charms dangling.
    • Rhonda S Rhonda S on Sep 05, 2016
      Thank You Renata. I think we are more snow ski that surf, but that's a cute idea! How would you approach the lid?
  • Linda Johnson Linda Johnson on Sep 06, 2016
    I use a vintage ice bucket in my car as a waste basket. It's nice as it has a lid.
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    • Linda Johnson Linda Johnson on Sep 07, 2016
      We like paper maps, too. You can see the "whole picture" of a city, town, state, etc. Mapquest is good for directions, though. We usually print those before we go (& keep them if we'll travel there again.) I didn't paint my ice bucket. If you want to paint your, you can use a special plastic paint. Or you can cover it with contact paper.
  • Ela8131933 Ela8131933 on Dec 03, 2016

    close the lid after use !o I put a large baggie inside and use it for compostable kitchen scraps - don't forget t