10 Ways to Reuse Old Wine Corks

If you’ve ever found yourself holding onto wine corks after a nice bottle — corkscrew in one hand, glass in the other—wondering if they’re good for anything other than sitting in a drawer, you’re not alone. Corks have charm. They're natural, lightweight, slightly rustic, and often hold a little memory from a special evening. And they’re also surprisingly useful.

Here are ten creative, practical, and fun ways to reuse old wine corks—no serious DIY skills required.

1. Make a Simple Cork Bulletin Board

If you’ve got a drawer full of corks, this is one of the easiest and most satisfying projects to try. A cork board is not only practical but looks warm and textured in any room.

What you need: A picture frame, a hot glue gun, and a good stash of corks.

Arrange the corks tightly side by side —  either horizontally, vertically, or in a herringbone pattern—and glue them into the frame. You’ll end up with a custom memo board that’s great for notes, photos, or pinning receipts in the kitchen.

2. DIY Cork Coasters

Cork is naturally heat resistant and absorbent, making it perfect for coasters. This is a simple way to create something stylish and useful.

How to do it:

• Slice the corks into discs using a sharp knife.
• Arrange them into circles or squares.
• Glue them to a felt or cork backing to keep them sturdy.

You can also keep the corks whole and glue them side by side in a circular or square pattern. Either way, they’ll keep your tabletops safe in style.

3. Make a Trivet for Hot Dishes

Similar to the coaster idea but on a bigger scale, corks make a great base for a trivet. It’s ideal for protecting your table from hot pots and pans.

What to do:

Glue corks side-by-side in a circular or rectangular pattern (a bit like making a mini log wall). Secure them tightly so they don’t shift with use.

Bonus: it looks rustic and feels handmade in the best way.

4. Make a Hanging Elephant Sculpture

Looking for something more whimsical? You can build a hanging elephant out of wine corks. It’s a fun and surprisingly charming craft piece—perfect for a children’s room, garden shed, or as a handmade gift.

What to do:

• Arrange corks into elephant-like shapes—body, legs, ears, and trunk
• Use glue to connect them (a hot glue gun is ideal)
• Add twine to hang the final piece
• Optional: Paint or decorate it however you like

It’s quirky, light-hearted, and looks brilliant hanging on a rustic wall.

5. Create a Keychain

Corks are naturally lightweight and float—making them a great material for keychains, especially if you’re around water a lot (no more lost keys at the lake or beach!).

How to make one:

Screw a small eye hook into the cork, add a key ring or clasp, and that’s it! You can personalise or label it with paint or a marker.

6. Cork Place Card Holders for Dinners & Weddings

Hosting a dinner party or planning a rustic wedding? Corks can be repurposed into charming place card holders.

Quick method:

• Simply cut a small slit lengthwise in the cork with a sharp knife
• Slide in a card with your guest’s name

They look great lined up on a table and can double as a keepsake.

7. Keep Drawers Fresh

Natural cork is absorbent and has mild deodorising properties. Pop a few clean wine corks into kitchen or bathroom drawers to help keep them smelling fresh and dry.

You can even add a drop of essential oil (like lavender or lemon) to each cork for a subtle scent boost.

8. Use Corks in the Garden

Corks break down slowly, but they’re still biodegradable. You can:

• Shred corks and mix them into potting soil to help with aeration
• Use full corks as markers for herbs or small garden plants—just write the plant name on each cork and push it onto a skewer or stick

They add a bit of charm and won’t harm your plants.

10. Design a Decorative Cork Heart or Wall Art

For a personal, visual project, use corks to form a shape—like a heart, star, or even your initials.

You’ll need:

• A board or backing
• A glue gun
• Patience and corks (lots of them!)

Stick the corks down in your chosen shape, and voilà—a meaningful decoration from bottles you’ve shared with others. You can even use coloured ends or write dates on them if the bottles mark special occasions.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Want to DIY? Recycle Responsibly

If DIY isn’t your thing, that’s fine too. Natural cork can be recycled, and several companies collect corks to reuse in insulation, flooring, and more.

In the UK, Recorked UK is one of the largest natural cork recycling organisations. They work with businesses, schools, and individuals to reduce cork waste and support sustainability.

Wine corks don’t need to end up in the bin. Whether you go full-on DIY or just want a simple way to reuse what you’ve got, corks are full of possibilities. They’re one of those little details of life that can turn into something useful, personal—or even beautiful.

So next time you open a bottle, don’t toss the cork. Keep it. You might be a few corks away from your next project.