When you have a stack of cardboard boxes in the corner, recycling is one option. Here are super-creative and fun projects for repurposing cardboard boxes.
1. DIY Apartment Door Numbers
If you live in an apartment building, you can turn an old cardboard box into these amazing numbers for your door. I don’t recommend this for houses, since the cardboard won’t hold up well to the elements. Making them for an apartment door is really easy and they look so elegant when they’re finished. Just print off the numbers that you want to use, or freehand them if you’re really talented.
Tutorial/Source: lovelyindeed
2. Repurposed Cardboard Belted Storage Tote
You can turn those old cardboard boxes into these amazing storage totes with just a little time and a few supplies. You just cover the boxes with fabric and then add an old belt for a handle. These are great for all sorts of organizing from craft supplies and kids’ toys to magazines and anything else you can think of. When they’re finished, no one will ever know that they used to be empty cardboard boxes.
Tutorial/Source: brit
3. Upcycled Cardboard Photo Frame
Cardboard photo frames are so easy to make and they’re perfect when you want something you can really customize. Not only are these great for decorating your own house, but they also make perfect gifts for others. And, since they’re made from recycled cardboard, they’re really cheap and they’re made in a folding design so they’re great for displaying pictures on the table or mantel.
Tutorial/Source: ohoh-blog
4. Upcycled Cardboard Sunburst Mirror
This cardboard mirror frame is made with upcycled toilet paper rolls, but if you have cardboard boxes on hand, you can use those as well. You’ll just have to cut and then roll your cardboard to create the circles. Then you arrange them in a pattern, glue on some sequins or other decorative elements, and add your mirror. This is a really easy project and gives you a beautiful new mirror when you’re finished.
Tutorial/Source: meijosjoy
5. DIY Decoupage Cardboard Trays
Turn that cardboard into a beautiful decoupage tray! You can use these trays for everything from jewelry to any number of other things that you want to store and they’re super easy to make. You don’t even have to have a tray – you make it completely with upcycled cardboard. Just shape and then form the tray and cover with scrapbook paper, fabric, or anything else you want to decorate it.
Tutorial/Source: karenkavett
6. Cardboard City – Kid Fun!
This cardboard city will be as fun for kids to make as it is for them to play in. You can take a number of empty cardboard boxes and build all sorts of shops and buildings for them. And, the kids can help to decorate their city. A small-scale city would be great for playing with dolls and toy cars or you could go all out and take several larger boxes to build them an actual playhouse size city.
Tutorial/Source: crayola
7. Indoor Dog House
Build your little dog his own little house inside the house with a repurposed cardboard box. Your dog will love having his own space and you can decorate these so cute with cardboard shingles. Note, this is not going to work for an outdoor dog house obviously because of the cardboard but it’s great for giving your little pooch a little place of his own inside the house.
Tutorial/Source: designdazzle
8. Repurposed Cardboard Drawer Dividers
Keep your dresser drawers perfectly organized with dividers…that you can make from an empty cardboard box. This is one of the easiest projects ever and one that is so useful. You can use pieces of cardboard to separate socks and all sorts of other items and keep those drawers perfectly organized. You just mark and cut your cardboard so that it perfectly fits inside the drawers and stays tight enough to not fall over.
Tutorial/Source: instructables
9. Rustic Cardboard Christmas Trees
Turn your Christmas decorating a bit rustic with these adorable little cardboard Christmas trees. You can make several of these from just one large cardboard box and they’re perfect for setting up a rustic winter scene. These are so easy to make and the kids will love helping with them. Plus, you have plenty of time to make several before the holidays – you could even give some away as gifts.
Tutorial/Source: theproperpinwheel
10. Repurposed Cardboard Guitar
If the little ones love making music, you can make them this adorable cardboard guitar that looks just like the real thing. These things also actually play music so they can strum their little hearts out. This is actually a great tool for little ones that want to learn how to play guitar. The size is perfect for their little hands and it gives them the opportunity to learn how to hold and strum the guitar before they practice with the real thing.
Tutorial/Source: makeit-loveit
11. Upcycled Cardboard Lantern
I love old lanterns and these cardboard versions are just great. You make them from upcycled cardboard boxes and they look just like real lanterns when you’re finished. You can even add LED lights to them to give them a nice little glow – although I would avoid candles since it is cardboard. These would make a great display for the holidays or anytime you want to add a bit of style.
Tutorial/Source: etsy
12. DIY Cardboard Christmas Star
Take those cardboard boxes and make a number of these great Christmas stars to hang or decorate for the holidays. These have such a great rustic look and are really easy to make. When you’re finished making your stars, just paint them – you can use spray paint for this – any colors that you want and hang them on your Christmas tree, on the mantel, or you could even make a great garland from them.
Tutorial/Source: pepperbuttons
13. DIY Recycled Cardboard Vase
To make a beautiful recycled cardboard vase, you’ll need corrugated cardboard as well as a cardboard tube, an old CD, and a few other supplies. You cut the cardboard into small strips and then layer it around the tube. The CD serves as a base and helps the vase to stand up. When it’s finished, this is a lovely vase that you can paint or just leave plain. It will beautifully display silk flowers or real ones – just slip a small glass or vase down into the tube.
Tutorial/Source: madebylakshmi
14. Cardboard Cat Scratching Post
Cats love to scratch – those of us who own them know that all too well. If you have a cat, you really need a scratching post of some sort. Otherwise, they’ll scratch walls and furniture. So, why not take those empty cardboard boxes and make a scratching post to save your furnishings? You can make one out of corrugated cardboard and it will rival those that you see in pet shops for over $100. Your cat will love it and your furniture will love you.
Tutorial/Source: maisonkuotidien
15. Recycled Cardboard Craft Storage
You’re crafty right? Then why not turn your cardboard box craft into something that will help you with all your craftiness? I love this recycled cardboard storage. It’s the perfect way to keep all of your craft supplies organized and it’s so very easy to make. You just cut around the boxes to give them a nice shelf look and then string them all together with twine. This is great for storing all sorts of things and won’t cost you anything but a little time.
Tutorial/Source: paigebphotography
16. Creative Cardboard Cars
Kids love playing with cardboard boxes, and why wouldn’t they when those boxes are turned into these creative little cars? You can make these so easily and they take very little time. If your little ones have grown tired of their toys, these little cards are sure to make them happy. They’ll spend hours playing with them and if you have a few boxes on hand, you could make so many different versions of cars for creative play.
Tutorial/Source: aughpaintcreate
17. Rolled Cardboard Owl Ornament
This little owl is a hoot and so easy to make. You start by rolling cardboard for the body and when that’s finished you just do the same for the head and eyes. He’s such a little cutie and perfect for adding a little homemade décor to your home. You can add feathers – or make feathers from leaf shapes – and he’s all finished. Paint him if you want but I think the natural look is so much better.
Tutorial/Source: foxyfawni
18. Decorative Recycled Cardboard Box
You would never believe that this beautiful decorative box was once a plain cardboard box. It’s so gorgeous and such a lovely thing to display. It’s also pretty easy to make and won’t take you long at all. This would be a great gift box or you can just use it to dress up the bedroom or bathroom. Just cover a box in burlap and then add “legs” and any other decorations that you want.
Tutorial/Source: lookiewhatidid
19. Decorative Cardboard Letters
You’ve seen those great decorative letters adorning people’s mantels and tables, right? Well, those things can be pretty expensive depending on where you buy them. A better way to get that look is to create the letters yourself from recycled cardboard. Just cut out your letters and then shape cardboard around them. Then paint and decorate however you want.
Tutorial/Source: christylovespaper
20. Upcycled Cardboard Decorative Storage
Here’s another great way to get some storage from those cardboard boxes. These decorative boxes are so easy to make and really spruce up closets where you might otherwise just have plain boxes stacked up. Just cut the lid and flaps away from the boxes and then cover them with wrapping paper.
Tutorial/Source: thekolbcorner