8 Things You Can Make from Cardboard Boxes / Instead of Throwing Them Away

A cardboard box is convenient, affordable, and versatile packaging. They’re used to sell everything, from food to furniture and electronics, and end up in every home regularly. You can throw them away, recycle them, or repurpose them, turning simple packaging into something special. Here are some beautiful and functional things you can make from cardboard boxes.

1. Playhouse for Kids

Kids love hideaways, and you can easily make one from cardboard boxes. Disassemble them to get large cardboard sheets. Glue them together if necessary, creating walls of the desired width and height. Assemble the structure, cut out a door, and add a window. Place blankets, pillows, toys, and books inside, and hang some fairy lights. 

Tip: Involve the kids in building and decorating the cozy playhouse.

2. Cat Bed

Pets love cardboard hideaways just as much as kids do. You can stack multiple boxes, cut out entryways and windows, and decorate. Alternatively, take a single box, cut an entrance in one side, place a blanket or pillow inside, and set it up in any cozy spot.

3. Stylish Ottoman

For those with a lot of cardboard, cut out identical circles, about 40-50 cm in diameter. Stack and glue them, alternating the direction of the fibers for stability. When the ottoman reaches the desired thickness, cover it with foam and a fabric cover. Attach legs if desired, or cover the bottom with felt for a finished look. If you prefer, you can make the base by rolling strips of cardboard tightly and securing them with tape before covering with foam and fabric.

4. Organizer

A box is already useful for storage but may not look aesthetic. To upgrade it, cover the cardboard with contact paper or fabric inside and out. A bamboo mat works well as an outer cover, and fabric lines the interior. Add leather or wood handles if desired.

Important: Choose materials suitable for the environment it will be in, like moisture-resistant material for bathrooms and kitchens.

5. Play Kitchen

Make a cardboard kitchen for your child by using a large box. Draw stovetops on one side and add rotating knobs. Cut an oven door below and create a small compartment behind it. Add a sink by gluing a bowl in place and installing a faucet stand-in. You can even add a backsplash with hooks, shelves for dishes, and a towel holder.

6. Basket for Laundry or Toys

Create a stylish basket with a few boxes and some fabric. Cut out a round base and attach side walls with tape. Wrap the exterior with thick jute or braided paper. Insert a fabric liner that extends over the top for easy washing or replacement. 

Tip: Make the liner removable for easier cleaning.

7. Faux Fireplace

A charming, inexpensive decoration, perfect for a holiday atmosphere. To create a faux fireplace, glue four equal-sized boxes together in a "U" shape. Use a fifth box as the base. Paint the structure, add “bricks” cut from more cardboard, and decorate as desired. 

Tip: Add a back panel for extra stability.

8. Large Decorations

Cardboard is great for creating oversized holiday décor, like a Christmas tree. Cut out two flat shapes of a tree silhouette, making a slit from the top halfway down on one, and from the bottom halfway up on the other, then slide them together. Another idea is a reindeer. Cut out the body with neck and head, and prepare separate pieces for the legs, antlers, and tail. Assemble by slotting the parts together.