Turn Them Into a Meaningful Shadowbox or Scrapbook

If you have a key to a special place, such as your childhood home or the first apartment you lived in with your spouse, you can turn it into a sentimental display.

Start by selecting a map representing the location, then cut it to fit inside a shadowbox frame. Use a small adhesive dot, a tiny hook, or a pin to secure the key over the corresponding area on the map. Once framed, this unique keepsake can serve as a reminder of cherished memories while giving an old key a meaningful new purpose.

If you have multiple sentimental keys, “painting them and putting them in a scrapbook would also be a good way to tie some memories to them,” shares Carlee Peterson, a DIY expert.

Rekey a Lock

If you have an old lock but no longer have the right key for it, rekeying can give it new life and improve security. You’ll need a rekeying kit specific to your lock brand, which includes new pins and a tool to remove the cylinder. Rekeying a lock is a cost-effective way to make old keys useful again while securing your home. “I am a firm believer in using your resources instead of going out and buying new,” says Peterson.

Create Curtain and Hem Weights

Old keys make excellent weights for curtains or fabric hems, helping them to hang neatly in place. Sew a small pocket into the bottom hem of the fabric and slip a few keys inside before stitching it closed.

For clothing hems, keys can be wrapped in fabric or sewn into a small pouch and discreetly attached to the inside of a skirt or dress to prevent it from blowing up in the wind. This simple trick is especially useful for lightweight fabrics that tend to shift easily.

Make a DIY Plumb Bob

“A plumb bob is a quick and easy way for someone to establish some vertical lines when mounting something to a wall, like floating shelves or a gallery wall,” explains Peterson. They’re also used to reference while painting. “Using an old key to DIY the tool saves time and money,” she shares. 

This quick and easy alternative when you don’t have a store-bought plumb bob on hand: To make a plumb bob, tie a sturdy piece of string around the head of the key, making sure it’s secure. Hold or hang the string from a fixed point, and let gravity pull the key straight down. The pointed end will naturally align to show a perfect vertical reference.

Create a Tinkly Wind Chime

Transform a handful of old keys into a charming wind chime that adds a gentle, tinkling sound to your outdoor space.

Gather a variety of keys and drill a small hole in the top of each if they don’t already have one. Attach them to strings of varying lengths and tie them to a sturdy base, such as a piece of driftwood, a metal ring, or an old lampshade frame.

Hang the chime in a breezy spot and enjoy the soft, musical clinking of repurposed metal. Experiment with different key shapes and sizes for a unique sound and aesthetic.

Recycle Them at a Mixed Metal Facility

If you prefer to simply dispose of old keys responsibly, recycling them at a mixed metal facility is the best option. Keys are typically made of brass or a combination of metals that can be melted down and repurposed into new items.

To recycle them, check with your local metal recycling center to see if they accept small metal items like keys. Some centers may require you to separate brass keys from steel ones, but many will take them all together. You can also check with charities that collect keys for recycling, turning them into funds for good causes.