Turn A Simple Egg Carton Into Beautiful Floral Wall Decor

Looking for a great way to upcycle those egg crate containers? While they usually wind up in the trash or compost bin, paperboard egg cartons are a great material for using as a DIY element for creating everything from sculptural planters and vases to distinctive and unusual floral wall decor. YouTube DIYer Parul Pawar recently showed off an amazing beginner-friendly DIY project that uses cut-out egg carton recesses to make beautiful blooms to string together for a garden-inspired wall hanging that can be customized to your home. All you need is some twine, a foot-long strip of wood, and several cut-outs recessed from a paperboard egg carton to create a floating garden of blooms.

Not only is this an eco-friendly project that rescues what might otherwise end up in a landfill, but it is also easy to master, requiring no hardware or engineering skills. You can also customize it in color configuration and other details to make it your own and fit it in with your aesthetic. 

To create your floral wall hanging, cut up several pieces of egg carton around each recess that once held an egg, trimming off the edges and the cardboard between holes. Use your scissors to carve slits into the carton recesses. These will be rounded off to look like tulip petals. Paint your carton flowers with a layer of chalk or acrylic paint, then poke a hole right in the center of the flower base.

Cut several lengths of thin twine or string, knotting a finishing bead or tassel at the end and then stringing several small stopper beads along the length that will hold the paper flowers in place. Use a large piece of slender wood to tie each string spaced evenly across, then use additional flowers glued along the top to hide the knots. Hang it from additional lengths of twine at the top to allow the blooms to dangle charmingly down the wall. 

This fun wall hanging can be easily customized to your home design. Paint the blooms bright floral colors for a cottagecore decor style, or leave them their natural color for a bohemian decor feel. Add additional beads along the length of your string for a bit more weight and sparkle, or forgo beads altogether, using clear fishing line for an invisible floating bloom look. You can also replace the top of your piece, using a real stick or branch for a more natural feel. Try other ideas like layering your petals to make more complex flowers. 

The cutting technique seen here also works for some other cool projects that involve stringing egg carton flowers, like a mobile for a nursery or a longer curtain that goes over a door or opening. You can even hang them as a fun garland for seasonal party decorations. The individual blooms can be used for other decor purposes including cute shades for strings of twinkle lights, three-dimensional accents on paper goods or art,  or as appliques for a home-made flower-themed wreath, vases, planters, and more.