Transform A Pool Noodle Into An Abstract Piece Of Art With This Easy-To-Follow DIY

During the summer, the trusty pool noodle is one of the most common sights you'll see at pools everywhere. These brightly colored foam tubes are often used as flotation devices that help give novice swimmers some extra support. But these nifty noodles aren't just for the pool. They can also be turned into creative DIY projects, like a cool piece of abstract art that you can easily — and affordably — incorporate into your home decor.

Considered the ultimate pool toy for water battles thanks to their lightweight and buoyant nature, pool noodles have a surprisingly high number of versatile uses that don't involve water. They're a budget-friendly way to clean and organize your house, and they offer a slew of practical backyard hacks you likely never knew existed. But for creating your very own work of art, a pool noodle can be repurposed into one of the easiest projects you've likely ever designed since you probably already have all the things you'll need. Grab a foam pool noodle in one hand — in any size and color, whether it's brand new or used — and your imagination and DIY flare in the other, and get ready to transform a foam noodle into an eye-catching piece of abstract art that's as unique as you. 

Once summer ends, instead of storing your pool noodles away until next year, check out this step-by-step guide for repurposing a pool noodle into a conversation-starting piece of art. 

Art can act as the focal point of any room — and it doesn't have to cost you a fortune. The first step for this DIY project is molding the pool noodle into the abstract shape you want and tying it into place with thin jute twine, which you can find on Amazon. Secure it by wrapping the jute a few times with masking tape. Then, take a razor blade or sharp knife to shave off some of the roundness on the bottom, and tape a piece of cardboard to the bottom so it can stand up on its own. 

Next, mix the plaster (also found on Amazon), slap it all over the pool noodle, and let it dry for about 30 to 45 minutes. Don't forget to add plaster inside the two pool noodle holes (if yours has them) to hide the color. You can completely cover the two holes too, but that's a matter of preference. 

After the plaster has had time to harden, take a sandpaper block to soften the rougher edges until it looks the way you want, leaving some texture for additional dimension. Next, you can paint it any color, but for a sculpture like the one pictured above, paint it all over with two coats of Apple Barrel white matte acrylic paint. Grab more paint colors in matte black, pewter gray, and nutmeg brown, and flick them onto the sculpture to create a speckled look.

With a little imagination and a few basic tools, you can repurpose pool noodles into virtually anything, from a budget-friendly bed frame to a stunning piece of Bohemian-inspired wall art. For more DIY abstract art, insert a wire into a foam pool noodle, and then you can easily turn it in any direction for a unique shape. Paint it any color or vibrant hue that blends with your other home furnishings. You can also create a pretty indoor planter with a couple of plastic bowls and pool noodles in different sizes that you stack on top of one another. Or, to bring a cool ambiance to your pool or bathtub at night, cut your foam noodle into smaller pieces and stick LED tea candles in the holes — they're the perfect fit for cute floating candles.

Beyond home decor, pool noodles also have plenty of practical uses around the house, like as a door stopper to protect little fingers from getting pinched, outdoor pipe insulation to keep them from bursting in the winter, or car door protectors to prevent scratches and dents when opening your doors in the garage, to name a few.

Foam pool noodles are more than just devices meant for summertime. So, the next time you cross paths with one of these nifty items, think about the endless DIY possibilities. Check out even more tried and true pool noodle projects we love to DIY.