Turn A Simple Pool Noodle Into Breathtaking Floral Decor

Pool noodles are so versatile that they might get more use out of the water than in it. The alternative functions for these bendy lengths of foam range from organization to decor and beyond. It turns out that pool noodles' spongy material is a great substitute for floral foam, and their shape allows you to cut and mold it even further. So you can employ a couple of pool noodle pieces to attach a cascading corner floral accent to a picture frame. This trick works best with an empty frame, but with the right tweaks, it's adaptable for ones with glass and backing as well.

With two pieces of foam noodle zip tied around parts of the frame and touching at the corner, these pieces become a blank canvas that makes flower arranging a piece of cake. Just poke stems of flowers and foliage into the pieces of foam like you would with floral foam. Given the thickness of a pool noodle, you'll be better off giving this treatment to a larger frame. But you're not limited to just a frame: aim to pull off your own floral decor to surround anything you like.

For this project, you will want to set aside a pair of scissors, faux flowers and greenery, and zip ties. Also, borrow a serrated knife from the kitchen. This everyday utensil is one of the best tools to use when cutting a pool noodle.

If the glass breaks, many people think picture frames are beyond use and cast them aside. However, their shapes are prime pickings for creative upcycling. Source one from a thrift store, online, or your own closet, and grab a pool noodle. If you don't have one, see if you can get a hold of a used one; pool noodles are difficult to recycle, and they don't biodegrade. Getting as much use out of each noodle is the best way to keep them out of landfills. Thrift stores, online marketplaces, and local pools are good spots to check.

Cut two pieces of pool noodle that are half as long as the length and width of your frame's sides. Connect them with two or three zip ties to two of the frame's sides that touch at 90 degrees. Put together a tapered look with a concentration of flowers at the corner, but start by adding foliage to the ends of both noodle pieces. Place it so that the leaves project past the foam and over the frame. Follow up with flower heads and greenery of varying sizes, filling in any spaces where the foam shows through. At the corner, affix some of your larger flower heads as well as a few pieces of greenery that draw the eye to the area. On a wall, your floral frame will make a romantic companion for another framed piece, a mirror, or a decorative plate.

You can't use zip ties to connect the pool noodles to a picture frame if the frame has glass or a backing to it. However, with a small tweak, a pool noodle floral adornment can outfit frames that are still holding glass. Simply swap out zip ties for E6000, an amazing glue that you should keep in your home. This adhesive is ideal for forming a durable bond between two different materials.

Given the pool noodle shape, you may want to slice them in half lengthwise so that there will be more surface area for the glue between the noodle and the frame. Going halvesies may also be a good idea if you want to go a little lighter on the flowers or if your frame is on the small side. While you may want to skip the pool noodle and glue the flowers directly to the frame, the pool noodle's material will allow you to switch out greenery according to your whims or seasons.

When you hang it, the floral corner can be on the left or the right, the bottom or the top of the frame. You may need to balance the opposite corner with a counterweight so that the flowered edge doesn't sag lower than its neighbor. Lots of people tape coins to a lower back corner of a frame to even out the weight, but washers are a practical choice, as well.