DIY A Chic Decorative Storage Bowl With An Inexpensive Curtain Ring Hack

If you love crafting, you might've discovered that a gorgeous home décor bowl is just one DIY away. Even so, you've probably tried just a handful of methods and materials. Whether you're a seasoned décor maker or new to the world of homemade housewares, you can create an elegant bowl by repurposing rings from old window and shower curtains. This decorative storage solution requires just a few low-cost supplies and your creativity. Wooden curtain rings work especially well for this project, but you can use plastic ones if you intend to place lightweight items in your bowl. Whichever material you choose, you're helping keep these rings out of landfills. Don't have any curtain rings to spare at home? Order crafting rings such as the Yolyoo 60-piece set of natural wood rings. If building a bowl doesn't use up all of your wooden rings, you can turn them into DIY tealight holders and other upcycled décor.

Glue is your other must-have supply for transforming curtain rings into a chic countertop container. Hot glue will work, but a more durable product such as E6000 Transparent Craft Adhesive can help your bowl last longer. Find a wire cutter if you'll need to snip metal hooks off of your curtain rings. Also grab some balloons to help you create a uniform bowl shape when attaching the rings to each other. A LovesTown 15-pack of 18-inch Colorful Party Balloons is one of many choices. Once you've gathered your supplies, find a flat surface and cover it with newspaper to start crafting.

Before attaching the rings to each other, inflate one of your balloons until its width and circumference matches the bowl you have in mind. Then, grab a small dish or a piece of duct tape to prevent the balloon from moving around as you piece together your bowl on top of it. You can make your bowl from rings of different sizes or rings that are uniformly sized. Line the outer edge of a ring with glue, place the ring flat against the top of the balloon, and affix more rings to the glue-covered surface until you get a semicircular bowl.

Use enough glue to create a strong bond between rings, but don't apply more than you need, or you risk popping the balloon. Also, minimize gaps between the rings, as large holes will decrease the final product's usefulness. After letting the glue harden overnight, pop the balloon to behold your fully formed bowl. Now, tailor the bowl to complement your other décor, reflect an aspect of your taste that you'd like to highlight, or experiment with a trend that has piqued your curiosity.

To give your bowl a few personal touches, you can spray paint it with a product like Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2x Ultra-Cover paint and primer. If you'd like the bowl's rings to be different colors, consider painting them before gluing them together. Planning to display fruit or other edible items in your new bowl? Apply a topcoat of sealant that's safe for food contact. One option is Minwax Polycrylic Clear Gloss Protective Finish Spray. Since this coating is nonporous, it helps prevent bacteria from forming and makes the bowl easier to clean. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package and allow the spray to dry completely.

If you'd like to make different shapes with your rings, swap the balloon for other objects you can use as forms. A small, cylindrical trash can is useful for creating baskets. A cardboard box or camping cooler can help you construct rectangular baskets and bins.