20 DIY Crafts with Cardboard Boxes You Should See Now!

Cardboard boxes pop up everywhere. They come along with your online order and cram the back of the moving truck. And often enough, it seems they multiply overnight.

Rather than sending them to the waste bin, here are 20 DIY crafts with cardboard boxes for using them creatively, in fun and at no cost. Cardboard is flexible and strong.

The best thing about it is how easy it is to work with, and you can very easily create masterpieces with creativity and extremely modest budget, these ideas will turn cardboard boxes into something truly amazing.

image with text overlay DIY crafts with cardboard

DIY Crafts with Cardboard Boxes

1. Desk Organizer

DIY cardboard desk organizer with compartments for pens, sticky notes, and small office supplies, decorated with colorful paint

Get your workspace all sorted out by making a desk organizer with some cardboard.

Cut it into sections, and then arrange it into all sorts of compartments for pens, sticky notes, and what-have-you. Paint it to match the décor, and you’re good to go.

2. Cat Scratching Post

Cardboard scratching post for cats, made from rolled strips of cardboard glued together in a circular shape

Build a scratching post for your cat and save your furniture. You can cut in strips, roll the cardboard, glue them together in circular or rectangular shape. Your cat will love it.

3. Cardboard Lampshade

Decorative cardboard lampshade with intricate patterns cut into the cardboard, wrapped around a light fixture

Update your house with some modern flair from a cardboard lamp shade. Cut different patterns into a piece of cardboard and then wrap it around a light fixture.

The light shining through these patterns will give it a warm, cozy ambiance.

4. Planter Boxes

DIY cardboard planter boxes with waterproof lining, painted and decorated with vibrant colors to hold small plants

Use cardboard planter boxes for a lovely home for your plants. You can waterproof the outside with waterproof fabric or a plastic liner on the inside if it is exposed to water.

Add some personality by splashing paint or stickers on the outside.

5. Gift Boxes

Eco-friendly DIY gift boxes made from cardboard, decorated with ribbons, paint, and patterned paper for a unique look

Convert humble cardboard to boxes of beauty. Cut and fold the cardboard to your desired shape, then finish it off with an air of sophistication by using ribbons, paper, or paint. It’s an earth-friendly alternative to commercial packaging.

6. Wall Shelves

Wall-mounted cardboard shelves made from layered cardboard, painted and attached to the wall to display small objects

Convert thick cardboard boxes into light cardboard shelves. Punch several layers of cardboard, paint them, and stick them on the wall.

These are great for displaying small objects like plants, tokens, and figurines.

7. Cardboard Wall Clock

DIY wall clock made from cardboard, painted with a stylish design, with a clock mechanism inserted in the center

Make a special wall clock using cardboard paper. Make one big sheet and cut it according to the shape you want for your clock.

You can paint, washi tape, or use fabric to decorate it however you like. You can go vintage, modern, and whimsy.

8. Cardboard Wall Organizer

Cardboard wall organizer with stacked sections forming pockets and cubby holes, decorated with bright colors and patterns

Cardboard Wall Organizer: Make the most out of that empty space on your wall with this awesome cardboard organizer.

Cut cardboard into sections and stack them together to form shelves, pockets, or cubby holes.

9. DIY Cardboard Headboard

Cardboard headboard for a bed, cut into a unique shape and covered with fabric or painted to match bedroom décor

Update the headboard of your bedroom with a cardboard one. You might cut out the shape which completes your style-be it rectangular, arched, or scalloped-which you like.

You can also just drape it with fabric or paint to match your room.

10. Cardboard Wreath

DIY cardboard wreath, covered with ribbon and decorated with flowers and ornaments, perfect for seasonal décor

Create a stunning wreath to complement any shindig, using cardboard as your base. Cut out a ring, cover with fabric or ribbon and assemble decorative elements, flowers, pinecones, beads, or whatever.

This craft is gorgeous as a seasonable or event-based customizable creation.

Related: 20 DIY Crafts With Paper You Might Like

11. DIY Cardboard Coasters

Eco-friendly cardboard coasters stacked for thickness, sealed with waterproof paint, and decorated with geometric designs

Cardboard coasters To cover tables, use eco-friendly coasters made from cardboard. Cut out circular or square pieces, build up on each other for thickness, and seal with waterproof paint or glue.

Add designs or patterns if matching your home decor. Nice and simple, great as a gift also.

12. Cardboard Birdhouse

Brightly painted cardboard birdhouse with a perch, designed for hanging in the garden or balcony to attract birds

Create a cardboard birdhouse. Cut up pieces of cardboard, put them together in a small house, paint it in bright colors, and attach a perch to hang it from your backyard or balcony.

This project is not water-resistant, but it will definitely be a fantastic temporary solution or great indoors decoration.

13. Cardboard Laptop Stand

DIY ergonomic laptop stand made from sturdy cardboard, decorated with paint or stickers to personalize it

If you work from home or need one, make a laptop stand. Cut and assemble a stand for your laptop from sturdy cardboard.

This is a craft that is not only pocket-friendly but also ergonomic in nature and will help you ease into work with comfort. You can add paint or stickers for your own touches.

14. Cardboard Christmas Tree

Cardboard Christmas tree made from stacked layers of cut-out trees, decorated with paint, ornaments, and ribbons

Be festive with a cardboard Christmas tree. Cut out a few trees and create layers of them. Paint or use ornaments, stickers, and ribbons to decorate.

Such trees are good for small spaces and can be environment-friendly.

15. Cardboard Jewelry Organizer

Cardboard jewelry organizer with hooks and pushpins, painted in vibrant colors for hanging earrings, necklaces, and bracelets

Personalize and make great organizers for jewelry using cardboard. Simply cut a board, add hooks or pushpins, and paint it your choice of color and design.

You can separate your earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Hang it on the wall for easy access and organized display.

16. Cardboard Photo Frames

DIY photo frames made from cardboard, decorated with washi tape, paint, or fabric, showcasing cherished photographs

Turn cardboard into stylish photo frames. Cut out a rectangle frame and paint with designs, washi tape, or fabric, add a backing.

Hang it up around the room, but if not hung, you can place them on your desk, showcasing memories you love.

17. Toy Storage Boxes

Cardboard toy storage boxes, decorated with colorful paper and fabric, with handles for easy carrying and organizing

Cardboard boxes are also good to use to store toys. Decorate the box with some nice decorative paper or fabric, and add a sticker.

Even add little handles to it for easy carry. It is one of the simplest ways to keep no mess around.

18. Kids’ Play Kitchen

Cardboard play kitchen for kids, with sections cut out for an oven, stove, and sink, decorated with painted bottle caps as knobs

A cardboard box is a perfect substitute for a pretend play kitchen. Sections should be cut out for an oven, stove, and sink.

The knobs can be attached using bottle caps and painted to finish the look. Hours of fun will be had by kids of all ages with this homemade play setup.

19. Cardboard Phone Stand

DIY cardboard phone stand, folded into a shape that securely holds a phone, with additional pockets for accessories

Create a practical phone stand with only cardboard. Cut out a rectangle and fold it into a standing shape that can hold your phone at an angle without tipping over. You can even add additional pockets or compartments for your charger.

Give it some washi tape or paint touches, and you have a very practical accessory for your desk or nightstand.

20. Cardboard Coatrack

Stylish cardboard coatrack made from folded and layered cardboard, with hooks or knobs added for hanging coats

You will now learn how to make an excellent but fashionable coat rack from cardboard, as you will see in the following video tutorial.

Large pieces of cardboard are cut and folded into long strips, and then layered to create a sturdy foundation.

Related: 17+ DIY Throw Pillow Denim Crafts

Conclusion

Cardboard boxes are so much more than just recyclable waste. Very creative, cardboard boxes can be beautiful, functional or even playful objects.

The projects are simple, economic, and enjoyable for all to create across any age. Next time cardboard makes its way into your life, break out the scissors, glue, and paint, and let your imagination run wild. Who knew cardboard could be this much fun?

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