If I had a piece of silver for every time a client has asked me exasperatedly, “What am I supposed to do with all this silver?!” And then, before I managed a syllable, “I mean I have to keep it. It was my _______(insert dearly beloved, long-deceased relative),” I’d have enough silver to melt it into a Live Simply idol that we could all thereafter worship.

Of course you can always say goodbye to it, I first remind them, and should well remind you. Silver or no silver, granny on the left side of the family tree or not, that silver doesn’t have to stay if you don’t love it wholly and completely.

We discuss and examine each piece and so on, and in the end we all walk away happier. But for your sake, I’ll zoom in on the juicier part of the conversation which goes a little something like, “Well, how might you incorporate that silver into your life a little better? How might you, like, say, actually put it to work for you, instead of acting like its personal butler?”

Silver pieces as storage solutions. Coming to a more organized home near you.

But, if I use the silver all the time, won’t it tarnish?

Well, maybe.

And if it’s in your basement storage room, swaddled in a silver bag, encased in a plastic bin, won’t you only use it like one or twice a year, if that?

Well, maybe.

Listen, there are people for whom this notion will never be appealing because they’re very precious about such things. If that’s you, no hard feelings, just get to steppin’ and we’ll see you back here bright and early tomorrow.

Most people, I find, are so happy to finally find a more consistent application for their silver pieces that it far outweighs their fear of…well, using it.

Alright, enough of the chit chat. Let’s get the inspiration going.

1. Use silver and other eldery metals to house succulents and other plants if you’re going for the perfect, French, “Oh, this old thing?” lush elegance.

(As showcased by photographer Kathryn Barnard for Seattle Bride.)

2. Use silver or vintage metal creamer and sugar bowls, as well as goblets and julep glasses to contain things on the vanity.

Hannas Sjarmerende Gjenbruk uses her silver to hold her makeup brushes, and in so doing achieves an overwhelming air of ladylikeness.

Good Housekeeping‘s variation is not one bit less chic:

3. Meanwhile, in the office, silver cups do wonders to elevate the status of writing utensils.

4. Don’t think you can’t put those large silver pieces to work for you too; see here, how an ice bucket serves as a glamorous countertop storage solution for cooking utensils.

(Captured by Photographer by Thomas Loof for House Beautiful.)

5. Of course, being trays, there’s practically no end to the possible application of a silver one. Here are three out of approximately infinity.

Silver tray as bar accessory: Photography by Ashley Capp for Style Me Pretty

Silver tray as vanity corraler: The Glitter Guide

Silver tray as desktop essentials station: Mary Mcdonald Interiors

6. This idea caught wind a few years ago, and it’s still as good now: turn a silver toast rack into a mail/paper/stationary sorter.

This one’s from Justin Bernhaut for Domino.

Finally, (for now):

7. As was recently discussed around here, ain’t nothing you can’t hang on a wall.

Jillian Harris agrees.

Now you tell me, what fabulous way have you used silver or vintage metals??