When you have a stack of cardboard boxes in the corner (too much online shopping this month?!), recycling is one option, but before breaking down those boxes, check out these super-creative and fun projects that repurpose cardboard into something useful and/or beautiful.
Shoe Rack
This innovative, flexible shoe rack uses repurposed cardboard boxes that have been cut, folded and held into triangle shapes with colorful tape. Attach as many as you need for a fun and stylish shoe storage solution.
Scratching Pad for Your Feline
Cardboard is an excellent scratching material for cats, providing a texture they really love. Cut long strips from cardboard boxes and curl them into a circle, using glue to hold it all together. You can paint the outer edge or cover it with fabric. For extra cat love, sprinkle some catnip into the cardboard as you work!
Sawhorses
Appliance boxes are fun for kids to play with, but they can also have a second life as collapsible sawhorses! Despite their light weight, they’ll hold heavy workpieces without wobbling. And they’ll fold flat and store in seconds when the job’s finished. Plus, you can cut them to a comfortable working height with a circular saw. Every appliance dealer we called had cartons to give away.
Shoe Box Cord Holder
To keep small cords organized all you need is a shoe box and some toilet paper or paper towel rolls, try this handy hint Fill a shoe box with as many empty toilet paper rolls that will fit vertically; then place a single small cord in each tube. This same setup could work for other small items, as well.
From the Heart
Heartfelt gifts don’t have to cost a fortune. Use cardboard from a clean box to create a shadow box and add mementos or little gifts for someone you love
Cardboard Furniture
Look carefully and you’ll see that this is an armchair made of heavy corrugated cardboard. This is extreme cardboard repurposing but it shows how versatile cardboard is and that if properly designed, items made of cardboard can be quite sturdy.
Spray Paint Can Holder
If you buy wine by the case or live near a liquor store, you have or have access to, wine boxes. (Not to be confused with boxed wine!) Did you know that those wine boxes are great for storing spray paint? The interior dividers are sized just right for the narrow cans, and the colorful lids of the spray paint are easily visible when you look inside the box.
Box Tree
No room for a Christmas tree? Allergic to trees? Maybe you should create a “tree” from cardboard boxes, pine cones and other found objects! This tree stacks up against a wall, so it takes up very little room. Temporarily attach the objects to the wall with removable mounting strips.
Dispenser Box
Here’s a way to use a cardboard box to organize all of those plastic bags from the grocery store. Straighten them out and stack them into an organized pile. Then place the pile in a small cardboard box. Cut a hole in the box so you can pull out one bag at a time as you need it.
This plastic bag dispenser would also be handy in the basement or wherever you keep your cat’s litter box or near your dog’s leash. Then you’ll have a stash of bags ready when it’s time to clean up after your pet.
Cardboard Castle
When you have a big cardboard box from an appliance or piece of furniture, make sure a child gets to have fun with it! Those boxes can become playhouses, forts, castles and spaceships. For young children, provide help with cutting and assembly and make sure there are plenty of crayons, markers and/or chalk for decorating.