multi-purpose piece

More than just a tea light holder—8 clever and colorful repurposing ideas for the classic Kivi

Designed by Heikki Orvola, Kivi tea light holders are a staple of Finnish homes. While their light brightens up the darkest of winter nights, Finns might repurpose them in a variety of ways. See our tips!

Author Natalia Rehbinder

Images Timo Pyykkö

May 21, 2025Lue suomeksi

1. Look! It's a paper clip stash

Paper clips in a green Kivi tea light holder. — Gather those oh-so-important and always-missing paper clips in one place. In a colorful Kivi tea light holder they’ll stay safe—and your home office will look a bit more stylish.

2. Where did my sewing supplies go?

A Kivi tea light holder filled with spools of thread. — Place your most frequently used thread and needle within easy reach. The sturdy glass container is easy to move around as needed. Buttons will also look cute in colorful Kivi tea light holders.

3. Pass the salt

A Kivi tea light holder filled with pinch salt. — A Kivi tea light holder can serve as a stylish pinch bowl for salt, right next to your pepper mill. Place them on a tray, and discover an easy way to carry your seasonings to the grill.

4. Bring order to the bathroom

A Kivi tea light holder filled with cotton swabs. — Your bathroom cabinet instantly looks more stylish when you neatly store cotton swabs, bobby pins, and electric toothbrush heads in Kivi tea light holders.

5. Fill them with treats

A Kivi tea light holder filled with candies. — A Kivi tea light holder can also serve as a small dish for desserts or candy.

6. How about a dry martini?

A Kivi tea light holder filled with olives. — No drink is complete without a little something to snack on. Serve olives in grand style in this Finnish design classic. Salted peanuts and sunflower and pumpkin seeds also work well in Kivi tea light holders.

7. Time to hem those jeans

Pins in a Kivi tea light holder. — No more pins lying around here and there. Gather them in a Kivi tea light holder.

8. The berry bar is open

Dried fruits displayed in Kivi tea light holders. — Place your morning yogurt fixings in Kivi tea light holders and set them on a tray. This way, dried fruits and berries are easy to grab, and you can lift the tray to the table or carry it to the terrace to enjoy the morning sun.

Read also: The Kivi tealight holder is a true Finnish design classic—and coveted by collectors.

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