Hold Onto Extra Paper Napkins To Try These 11 Creative Repurposing Ideas

Accent paper napkins add a special something to holidays, garden parties, and wedding showers. But once the celebration is over, they can sometimes end up cluttering your drawers, forever forgotten. They're a bit too random to use on a regular Tuesday night dinner, but what else can you do with them? Toss them away? Well, there are actually plenty of surprisingly creative ways to repurpose these paper napkins. You'll be amazed to see what you can do with them instead of throwing them out. 

Not all, but a lot of these clever ideas use the art of decoupage. This is a technique that involves gluing paper (in this case, pretty paper napkins) to a surface to decorate it. While you don't have to just use paper napkins for decoupaging, they lend themselves very well to this art form because they're cheap and thin. They come in lots of fun patterns and you've usually got a pack of them, meaning you can cover large areas. They're a great beginner DIY project that's stress-free and low stakes. 

For decoupage, people often use Mod Podge Matte Sealer Glue and Finish, a type of glue that also works as a sealer so you don't need an extra top coat. You'll notice that your paper napkins have several layers (plies); for these projects, you can remove the underlayer and only use the top ply (the one with the design). Either way, these are fun and low-stakes projects to try with the kids or alone on a craft afternoon.

Decorate candles with paper napkins using only heat. To do this, wrap the napkin around the candle with the design facing out, and cover it with a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. With a blow-dryer or heat gun, warm the wax paper. As the candle's wax starts to melt, it will absorb the design from the napkin, leaving you with a brand new customized candle. You can use your candles as you would otherwise, they will burn just fine.

If you don't have a wax candle for the last hack, you can create a gorgeous candle holder instead. This is a super easy beginner's DIY where you simply apply a layer of glue to a glass candle holder (a vase, jar, or glass works too). Now, delicately place your napkin overtop and add another layer of glue. Once it's dry, place a candle inside. The napkin's colors will create a glowing effect when the candle is lit, which adds tons of personality and style to your space. 

You can easily find cheap serving trays at the Dollar Store. These are silver-colored plastic trays that are often used for catering and events. Maybe you even have some leftovers from a party and aren't sure what to do with them. Well, you can paint them with chalk paint and cover them with some napkins using the decoupage technique. You can cover the whole tray or use sections to create some accent designs. You can use the tray to place trinkets by the door, for example.

Napkins from special events can serve as beautiful mementoes. Whether you've saved them from a special birthday, a baby shower, or a graduation party, incorporating them into a journal can be a great way to preserve those special moments. Try tearing the napkins apart and gluing bits of them into your journal alongside photos and notes. You can also use these pieces of napkins in photo albums to add a personal touch and bring these memories to life.

Ornaments really start to show their age over time, with scratches and marks making them look outdated. Instead of tossing them out, give them a refresh with some napkins. Cut sections of napkin and use decoupage glue to cover the ornament. Once it dries, you'll have brand new decorations. With balls, it's best to work with small pieces individually rather than one big napkin so you don't have wrinkles. And it doesn't have to be just Christmas, you can make pretty spring and summer balls to hang in tree branches during garden parties, for example.

Why not turn seashells into a beautiful trinket or ring dish? While painting them is always an option, using napkins with the decoupage technique can create an even more unique look. You can even use some gold paint around the edges to make it pop. These DIY dishes are perfect for emptying your pockets by the door or holding your rings by the sink while you wash your hands or do your dishes.

Create beautiful DIY Easter eggs with napkin details for a fun variation of traditional painted and dyed eggs. As with other methods, start by washing the eggs and hollowing them out. You can either take a patterned napkin to cover the entire egg or take some napkins with details on them, like bunnies or flowers. Cut around the details and apply them with the same decoupage glue. You can even do this to eggs you've already painted. It's a simple and fun way to add some personality to your Easter decorations.

Napkins can make for some interesting fall décor, too. Instead of carving or painting your pumpkins this year, try to cover them with napkins for something truly unique. Start by painting the pumpkin white to help the napkin's pattern show up. Then, use the same decoupage technique you'd use on any of the other projects to apply your napkins of choice. Just keep in mind that Mod Podge isn't edible, so you shouldn't keep these pumpkins outside on your porch where wildlife could accidentally ingest them.

If you have an old and underwhelming lamp lying around or maybe you found one at the thrift store, napkins can be a great way to upcycle it. Using decoupage glue and decorative napkins, you can transform white ceramic lamp bases into statement pieces. Because there's so much space to cover, you'll likely need more than one napkin for this, so make sure to use something with a repetitive pattern. That way, the seams between the different napkins aren't as obvious.

Ever wished you had the perfect vase to match your style at home and also pair with your favorite spring flowers? Head to the thrift store and grab a simple glass vase. Start with a layer of light-colored paint and then cover it with sections of decorative napkins. Since vases often have curved surfaces, working with small pieces will make the process easier. If you want to make your life easier, you could find a vase with a straight edge instead.

If you like painting on canvas, napkins can be a fantastic way to make your next project stand out. Apply napkins with decoupage glue to the entire canvas and create a beautiful background for your art. Once the napkins are dried, you can paint over them as you would on plain canvas. This can be a huge time saver. For example, using a floral pattern can save you from having to paint every little individual flower by hand. This is a great way to add some chic canvas décor to your walls even if you're a beginner artist.