The Very Last Thing You Should Do with Your Old Cheese Grater (It’s So Smart!)
A cheese grater is easily one of the MVPs of the kitchen — at least, in my home it is. Of course it shreds cheese and other food items with ease, but there are also special hidden features that help you do even more. But, like all kitchen gadgets, it has a lifespan and will eventually start to show its age. Don’t toss it in the trash and call it a day, though; instead, give it new life in your kitchen as a decor and storage gem!
Yep, you read that right — if you have an old cheese grater hanging around, you can use it for decor and storage. Content creator Wendy of @Rose Brooke Boutique posted her process for transforming an old cheese grater into an adorable DIY fall kitchen decor piece on TikTok, and I was so impressed and inspired that I had to try it myself. The grater’s vintage look is so charming — especially when paired with fall flowers and a cute straw bow! Plus, she put an old kitchen tool to good use instead of throwing it out. Who doesn’t love a DIY piece that’s stylish and sustainable?
While it looks super cute, I wanted to test if a cheese grater would actually hold up as kitchen decor. I grabbed my cheese grater, hung it upside down, put a small piece of wood at the base so nothing would fall through, placed some faux flowers in it, and hung it on my wall as a test. Good news: It was a success!
It held the flowers securely in place and created an interesting piece. The texture on the sides of the cheese grater popped against my smooth wall and created an eye-catching item with a touch of whimsy.
As I gazed at this grater on my wall, I realized it could be a fascinating kitchen storage solution, too! I put some of my frequently-used utensils in the grater to test its storage strength and, just as I had hoped, they all stayed in place. Plus, with the handle on the bottom, you can hang a kitchen towel. Success!
Not a fan of the box cheese grater look? No sweat. You can use an old flat cheese grater to make a more subtle piece of homey kitchen decor. I placed one on the side of my cabinet near my sink and hung a kitchen towel, and I loved the character it added to the space. If you’re looking for an accent piece in a rustic- or farmhouse-themed kitchen, this will add an excellent touch to the cozy aesthetic.
If you’re loving this vibe and want to make your own grater decor, take some time to paint yours and create the vintage look. Or, try finding an old cheese grater at your local thrift store or antique shop. If you don’t have the time to DIY it, Etsy has a bunch of repurposed cheese grater decor and storage pieces to browse through. Some of them feature a box cheese grater, which works well for storage, while others have a flat grater base and are perfect for decorating. Choose your favorite style and add some instant flare to your kitchen!
This post originally ran on The Kitchn. See it there: The Very Last Thing You Should Do with Your Old Cheese Grater (It’s So Smart!)