- Many household items can be repaired, saving money and reducing waste. Small appliances are often repairable.
- Furniture can be refreshed with paint or new hardware, while lamps that don’t work may need only a new cord, plug, or switch.
- Refacing cabinets is less expensive than replacing them, and damaged crockery can be repaired or repurposed.
Before you put that broken chair or burned-out toaster in the trash, consider that not everything that stops working is destined for a landfill. With sustainability top of mind, more people are realizing that a bit of repair work can breathe new life into an old item. From furniture to fixtures, many common household items can be easily repaired—saving money and reducing waste.
“A little fix today can save you from tossing something that’s perfectly usable tomorrow,” says Laura Madrigal, a home expert at Fixr.com. Madrigal’s rule of thumb is simple: “If the repair costs more than 50% of a new item, replacement might make more sense, but also consider age and frequency of use,” she says. “Newer items are usually worth repairing, while older items that break often may be better replaced.”
Here are some items that are better repaired than replaced.
- Laura Madrigal is a home expert at Fixr.com.
- Melanie Canning is the director of insights for Frog Tape.
1. Small Appliances
One of the most significant sources of unnecessary household waste is the category of easily replaceable goods: small appliances. Because it’s convenient to buy an affordable coffee maker or blender, when they go on the fritz, most people never think to look for a repair shop.
“Household appliances don’t always break down entirely, sometimes it’s just a small, fixable issue,” Madrigal says. “Everyday items—coffee makers, toasters, blenders, microwaves—generally last under 15 years and often just need a simple repair to make them work again, such as replacing a cord, switch, or heating element.”
Larger appliances can often be revived, too, but the cost of licensed repair might be hefty. “Even larger appliances, like water heaters, which typically last 10–15 years, usually only require a new valve or minor part to keep running.” Madrigal’s best advice is to keep appliances clean, check components periodically, and address minor issues as they appear. Take all necessary safety precautions when attempting DIY repair—unplug the appliance and use protective gear.
2. Furniture
Furniture flips were identified as one of the most trending paint projects of 2025, says Melanie Canning, director of insights for Frog Tape. In research conducted by the brand, nearly 80% of DIYers say they’re considering refreshing an old piece of furniture in their home with a little paint within the next year.1
Canning says cleaning, sanding, and then painting or staining a piece of furniture or decorative accent on an item, and even adding chic hardware, such as new knobs and handles, is part of a growing upcycling movement. “This trend breathes new life into the unique character of vintage decor while giving the furniture an eco-vintage, personalized feel,” she says.
