Create Craft
Do you have several cardboard boxes laying around your home? Cardboard can, of course, be recycled, so there’s no reason to throw them out. However, think about the various ways you may upcycle cardboard boxes and give them a new lease on life before you throw them in the recycling.
A lot of cardboard packaging ends up in the average household since internet shopping is more popular than ever. Fortunately, there are lots of original ideas for repurposing unused boxes. Getting crafty at home rather than purchasing new household products could even help you save some money. Furthermore, for every tonne of cardboard that is recycled, upcycled, or reused, you might save up to 24 trees.Upcycled cardboard boxes may be used for a range of purposes, from amusing youngsters to organising your home, according to packaging manufacturer RAJA. The cost of making something new out of the packaging as opposed to purchasing a brand-new, store-bought item was also investigated. Here are some ideas for things you could upcycle cardboard boxes to make at home.
Use them as office storage
Even though it should go without saying, you’d be shocked at how many people spend a lot of money on storage boxes when they already have excellent ones lying around the house. You may easily personalise a cardboard box with some simple craft supplies if you’re worried about it clashing with your décor. It might be painted a different colour, covered in pretty paper, or adorned with shells or rope. You have a free storage container if you leave it as is.assuming you decide to upcycle it, you could be able to create stylish office storage out of your cardboard box for as little as $6.30 (assuming you don’t already have the creative supplies). In contrast, a new storage box purchased from a retailer typically costs $7.82.
Use them for home teaching
You might use a larger box as a temporary whiteboard if you have one handy. If you’ve been homeschooling your kids or are helping them with their homework, this is an especially smart option. After painting the selected area with chalkboard paint (you may need to apply multiple coats), either cut off one side of the cardboard box to hang it on the wall or leave the neighbouring sides intact to support it.After it dries, grab some chalk and feel free to write and draw anything you want on the board! When you’re done, erasing the chalk should be as simple as using a moist towel. And what makes it the best of all? The average cost of a store-bought blackboard is $50.43, but you can construct your own for only $17.34.
Turn them into plant pots
Are you an avid gardener? If you replace store-bought planters with cardboard ones, which are far less expensive, you may save a significant amount of money on your gardening. All you have to do is use duct tape to reinforce the box’s bottom and corners, fold and tape the flaps down, line the inside with a plastic bag, and decorate the box anyway you choose. Make many punctures in the bottom of the box before adding any plants.You can now proceed with the drainage (and the plastic bag liner). Considering the average cost of $76.27 for store-bought pots, all of this could be purchased for just $10.04.
Make a pet bed
The average cost of a new pet bed purchased from a store is $47.30, but if you use your imagination and make your own for just $23.58 using a cardboard box and craft supplies, you can cut this cost in half. All it takes to create a sanctuary for your pet is to make a hole large enough for your dog or cat to go through and provide a comfortableInside, add a blanket or cushion to make it comfortable. You might paint a whimsical design on the exterior or add fabric, rope, and other embellishments with adhesive to give it some personality.
Build a playhouse
If you’re really ambitious, you could even go all out and utilise unused cardboard boxes to construct your children’s (or your own) ideal playhouse. You may have functioning doors, windows, a roof, numerous floors, and more with only a few easy cuts and some adhesive. Let your children have fun decorating it to look like a modern house, a mediaeval castle, a princess palace, or anything else they choose. There will be hours of pleasure with it. Additionally, it will just set you back $23.86 as opposed to store-bought playhouses, which can average as much as $1,125.34!
Create a smartphone projector
Although it may seem a little unrealistic, it’s actually rather simple if you know what to do. All you’ll need is a smartphone, a cardboard box, a magnifying glass, and a few other items you probably have lying around the house. Because this project is a little more involved, we’ll let you use these detailed directions from Expert Photography to continue exploring it on your own. The great thing is that, instead of spending an average of $98.85 on a brand-new projector from a store, you could make your own for just $28.16.
Once you get going, you’ll see how simple it is to apply your ingenuity to reduce waste and save costs. Use your creativity – there are countless ways to upcycle cardboard boxes! These are just a few ideas!
Are you looking for additional cardboard box upcycling ideas? See also 4 Crafts That Reuse Cardboard Food Packaging, 11 Ways To Upcycle Shoeboxes, and How to Reuse Cardboard Boxes Around the House.