Don't Toss Old Cardboard Boxes - Reuse Them To Create An Adorable Wreath

It always feels like a bit of a waste throwing out your cardboard boxes after opening them. If you're constantly trying to find ways to repurpose or upcycle old delivery boxes, this clever DIY lets you use them to decorate your door or interior wreathes. You can cut up each box and reuse the material to create stylish signs that can attach to any wreath, and because you have a lot of cardboard to work with, there are plenty of seasonal options and swap outs to stock up with. On top of your cardboard box, you will want some wooden dowels or even fabric, and any other embellishments or accessories that suit your theme(s). These can be wooden words, plastic trinkets you can glue on, or even flora and fauna.

This is a great cardboard DIY to add style and decor to your space without spending a lot of money. For this effort, think of your cardboard boxes as your base. You can cut these into any size you want, but a good starting point is around 3-4-inches high and 12-inches across. Measure your wreath form before cutting your cardboard, as you want it to fit across the entirety or most of the wreath so it's a feature as well as balanced. Once you've cut your rectangle(s), you can add materials on top to hide the actual brown cardboard. This can be flat dowels trimmed down to fit your length, or rounded dowels for more texture.

When using dowels, glue them in place lengthwise with a hot glue gun, trimming the ends where needed. Cut two smaller pieces of your wood dowels for the shorter ends of your rectangle to add a smooth frame. Allow everything to dry before using paint or stain to get the color you want on the dowels. Make sure to also paint the edges of the cardboard to ensure it blends in with the other materials. If you prefer to cover it with fabric, find a swath and cut it so that a little bit of each side of fabric overhangs on the back of the cardboard. This will allow you to glue it down on the backside so it lies flat.

You can glue wood shapes or letters to your sign, or there's also the option to repurpose old knick knacks, faux flowers, or leaves. Once your sign is finished and you've glued on your remaining décor, you can attach the whole thing using glue (if you plan to keep only one design on that wreath), or hot glue pipe cleaners to the back of the cardboard that you can then twist around the wreath and remove whenever you want to change it out. Because you can design them yourself, these signs make a great alternative to traditional holiday wreaths or standard store bought options.