July 08, 2025
10 PVC Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
If you’ve ever walked down the plumbing aisle and wondered what all those plastic pipes could be used for besides, well, plumbing, you’re in for a treat. PVC pipes aren’t just cheap and sturdy, they’re one of the most versatile DIY materials around. Over the years, we’ve shared some clever, fun and practical uses for PVC that go far beyond water lines. Whether you’re looking to organize your garage, entertain the kids or solve a household problem, PVC can help you hack your way to a better setup.
Here are the 10 greatest PVC hacks we’ve ever published. These ideas are budget-friendly, easy to do and, best of all, incredibly useful.
1. Garage Tool Organizer
Got rakes, brooms or shovels falling all over the place? Cut short lengths of wide PVC pipe and screw them into a board on your garage wall. Each pipe acts like a holster for the handle of a long-handled tool. This is one of the fastest ways to tidy up a cluttered garage corner.
2. Vertical Garden Tower
Drill evenly spaced holes into a large PVC pipe, cap the bottom and stand it upright in a flowerpot or bucket. Fill it with soil and pop herbs or strawberries into each hole. Water from the top and watch your garden grow vertically. Great for patios or balconies with limited space.
3. Kid-Friendly Sprinkler
Take a few long PVC pipes, drill small holes along the sides and connect them with elbows to form a rectangle. Hook one end up to your garden hose and let the water flow. Instant backyard sprinkler tunnel that’s perfect for hot summer days.
4. Cord and Hose Holder
Wrap extension cords, air hoses or holiday lights around a length of PVC to keep them from tangling. You can even cut a notch near the top to secure the loose end.
5. Camping Dish Rack
Cut and connect smaller PVC pipes to build a lightweight drying rack for plates and utensils. It’s washable, reusable and perfect for outdoor dish duty.
6. Tablet or Phone Stand
This one’s shockingly simple: with just a few elbow and T-joint pieces and a couple of short pipe lengths, you can create a sturdy stand for your phone or tablet. Great for watching recipes in the kitchen or following workouts.
7. Sports Equipment Organizer
Use wide PVC pipes cut into short sections to store baseball bats, hockey sticks or even yoga mats. Mount them to the wall or stack them in a crate for a quick-grab solution.
8. DIY Fishing Rod Holder
Attach sections of angled PVC pipe to a board or the side of a dock. These make excellent fishing rod holders that keep your gear safe and untangled.
9. Shoe Rack
Glue or zip-tie together several sections of large-diameter pipe into a pyramid or grid. Slide a pair of shoes into each opening. It's a modern-looking and highly functional storage piece for entryways or closets.
10. Bird Feeder Post
Drill holes for perches and feeding trays into a tall PVC pipe. Paint it to match your garden and fill it with seed. It keeps critters out and birds happy.
PVC pipes are basically the LEGO bricks of the DIY world. They're lightweight, easy to cut, and can be adapted for all kinds of clever uses. The beauty of these hacks is that you don’t need to be a plumber or a pro builder. With a basic saw, a drill and a little imagination, you can turn a few bucks’ worth of materials into some seriously impressive solutions.
So the next time you walk past the PVC section at your local hardware store, take a second look. There’s a world of potential in those pipes.