DIY A Cute Cactus Decor That Doubles As Practical Coasters

Have you ever been to a fun party at someone's home, only for the vibes to get awkward when the host spots someone's drink leaving a telltale ring on a wooden table? It doesn't take long for condensation to penetrate through wood, leaving a light-colored ring on even the darkest finishes. Coasters are the answer to this prickly problem, because they provide a barrier between the bottom of your guests' glasses and your favorite pieces of furniture. The creator at @diplycrafty decided to transform a few corkboards and a terracotta flower pot into an assortment of cactus coasters that are both cute décor and practical.

There are many simple DIY décor ideas to upgrade your home and garden on a budget, but this one stands out because you can complete it for around $20. Doubling as both a quirky and functional home accessory, the finished coasters fit into each other to form a cactus shape that towers out of a planter. To complete it, you'll need corkboards like the OLYCRAFT 1mm Thick Brown Board Mats, a small terracotta pot, and assorted craft paints. Make sure you have your trusty glue gun nearby. And, the crafting process will also require a marker, large coffee cup, small paint brushes, and sharp scissors like the highly rated LIVINGGO Titanium Coated Forged Stainless Steel Professional Crafting Shears.

Start by tracing circles onto your corkboard, using your coffee cup as a guide. Make sure your circles are slightly larger than the glass or mug that will sit on your coaster. Next, carefully cut out each of your circles before using hot glue to stick two layers of cork together. This will provide stability to your coaster and lift it slightly off the tabletop surface you want to protect. To connect your coasters when it's time to assemble your cactus display, cut a small notch out of each circle measuring approximately 1 inch deep by ½ inch wide.

Then, it's time to paint your coasters. You can use any craft paint you already have on hand or buy a single color to save money, but investing in a collection like the FolkArt Acrylic Craft Paints with 10 Pack of Brushes will let you explore different color options thanks to the lime green, bright white, daffodil yellow, and various pinks contained in the set. Although a tall green plant with prickly beige spines may be the first image that comes to mind, there are many unique cacti perfect for your indoor space that can inspire your design. Since your display will be seen from all sides, use thin layers of craft paint on both sides of your cork circles as well as around the rim and notched area. Once they've dried fully, consider using hot glue to attach a small faux flower to the outer edge of a few of your coasters.

To create the base for your cactus coasters, use the bottom of a terracotta pot to trace another circle onto your corkboard before cutting it out. The circle needs to be slightly smaller than the rim of your pot. Leave the cork natural to mimic the look of an arid desert. Use hot glue to attach it just below the rim of your terracotta pot.

Next, cut another circle out of your cork. Cut it in half before gluing the pieces together. Paint it green on both sides. Once dried, glue the half circle piece to the center of your base cork. The idea is to connect the base and coasters together using the notches, making sure they stay securely attached when not in use but easy to grab when the party gets started. Stack the coasters together, remembering that you can make multiple mini-towers instead of connecting all the coasters in a single towering line.

Cork is an ideal coaster material because it's lightweight and absorbent. But if you prefer more substantial coasters and want to try woodworking projects even beginners can do, you could substitute craft wood, like Thiecoc 4 Inch Unfinished Round Wooden Discs, for the cork. Cutting and shaping will require a different set of tools, and the overall weight of your coaster display will be much heavier with wood than with cork. To keep your cactus décor from tipping over, fill your terracotta pot with Plaster of Paris or vase filler rocks to weigh it down.