Upcycle Old Egg Cartons To DIY Dainty Door Decor On The Cheap

If you're a big fan of eggs for breakfast, chances are you frequently find yourself with an empty egg carton or two by the end of the week, especially if other members of your household are enthusiastic egg eaters as well. Rather than tossing the empty containers into the garbage or recycle bin, there are actually many genius ways to use old egg cartons around your house. One such way is to upcycle the paper containers into a beautiful wreath for your door. While many DIYers enjoy using the egg cups from the carton, it turns out the little center dividers can also be transformed into stunning paper flowers and leaves of all shapes and colors. When strung together in a loop, they create the most stunning paper wreaths.

What makes egg cartons such a great choice of materials for this type of craft is that they're made of a sturdy paper pulp, quite similar to paper mache. This lends a nice sculptural quality to your wreath. In addition to being a great way to repurpose common household items into unique DIY home decor, this project is also a low-cost way to decorate any door in your home. Plus, it's easy enough that even kids can help. There really are so many different ways to customize your wreath to suit your style. You can even make a different version for each season or holiday. Check out these clever ways you can use the center dividers from egg cartons to create a wreath that'll bring a bit of charm and delightfulness to your doorstep.

To make your wreath, cut the lids off the egg cartons and then cut off each center divider between the egg cups. Since the center dividers are skinny and somewhat cone-like, they're perfect to use as "closed" flower buds (whereas the egg cups create more "open" flowers). Trim any excess paper off the bottom of each center divider, and cut a slit down each corner. Now cut them into the desired petal or leaf shape. For example, to create the look of closed flower buds or boxwood leaves, cut the ends to be soft and rounded. Or, to create the look of ivy or holly leaves, cut the ends to be sharp and spiky.

Now, either paint or leave unpainted. Any craft paint would work — just don't use watercolors, as they may weaken the paper. Once dry, string the florals together with a needle and clear fishing line. You could also poke a hole in the center of each floral using a wooden skewer and string them onto craft wire. The bigger you want your wreath, the longer you'll need to make your string of florals. Form the string or wire into a circle and knot the ends together.

Finally, add your personal stamp to your wreath. Tailor it to spring by painting the florals in pastel colors and gluing on paper butterflies (you could even use the leftover egg cups to make these). Alternatively, you could sprinkle on some glitter or attach little berries to make a stunning DIY holiday wreath with your egg cartons. Or, add a beautiful ribbon and attach a bell for a quaint touch!