Transform Coffee Filters Into Unique Hanging Home Decor With This Creative DIY

Not only can you use a coffee filter to deodorize your home, but this household item may also provide a visual pick-me-up with a beautiful hanging decor project. Often overlooked as a mere means to an end, crafters have long loved using this cabinet staple to create masterpieces. While coffee filters are traditionally used to brew your favorite cup of joe in the morning, there are endless ingenious activities you could use them for. One project, in particular, may be perfect for a quirky corner in your home or could even be used as a party decoration. Coffee filter paper hanging decor, which could easily be converted to lanterns, is easy to make and provides an element of fun to your space. 

While coffee filters may seem like an unlikely crafting material, they're actually fantastic for creatives as they experiment with fads or new concepts. Not only are they cost-effective (since you can often buy them in bulk), but their very shape and consistency results in soft, ruffled textures or a layered effect if desired. This eco-friendly, recyclable item is also durable and highly absorbent, so it easily takes on dyes and paints for a vibrant twist. With a little bit of know-how and some basic supplies, you can create beautiful lanterns that you can adapt to suit your style and needs. And with a touch of imagination to light your creativity, the sky is the limit.

First up is a basic party pom-pom decoration that oozes personality. All you need for this project are plenty of coffee filters, a glue gun, and streamers (which are optional). A MyItsyLife YouTube clip shows a quick and easy method where the crafter folds a stack of coffee filters in half. Layering the coffee filters so that they face the same direction, they then glue each folded piece of paper together by placing two dots of glue along the crease. Halfway through, the effect is an accordion-like arrangement that is already resembling the final product. At this point, if you wish, place a streamer at the bottom half of the folded accordion. Now, begin a second stack and repeat the same steps as before. Finally, join the two halves together along the folded edges with some glue. Once they are adhered, fan the pom-pom out until it forms a ball. 

There are so many variations to this fun project. You could dip the coffee filters in some paint, and even try a tie-dye effect if you're feeling particularly adventurous. Although not strictly a coffee filter, its paper cousin, the doily, also creates some of the trendiest home decor ideas. This project is nearly identical to the former but only uses about a dozen doilies placed on each other and then sewed down the center. Then, each layer is fanned out for a vintage effect that is simply stunning.

Try making a coffee filter lantern for a java-inspired take on your lighting. Per one Bright Kreations YouTube video, the project is a clever spin on coffee filter flowers, except they take the decor item to the next level by using it as a light fixture. For this craft, gather plenty of coffee filters, watercolor paint (if you wish to change its hue), a pair of scissors, a Chinese paper lantern, and some glue. 

In the tutorial video, the maker dyes the coffee filters using watercolor paint before letting them dry. Fold the coffee filter in half, then half again, so they are a quarter of their original size. Holding the inner folded corner, cut the layered outer edge in a zig-zag pattern. Repeat the process with all the filters so that they resemble flowers. Finally, we are ready to assemble the hanging decor. Now, how to decorate the lantern involves carefully gluing the inner corner of the paper flower to the ready-made shade itself. Start at the base of the pendant, then work horizontally until you have a row of closely packed coffee filter flowers. Replicate the steps until the lantern is covered in frothy blooms. 

Let your handiwork dry completely before stringing it up and showing it off. Often, Chinese lanterns come with lightbulbs, but you could string some fairy lights in them or even use some battery-powered LEDs. The latter allows you the freedom to hang them where you wish. Perfection!