Cardboard Home Decor After the Holidays

There's one thing that just about everybody can say they got for Christmas: cardboard boxes! Seems everything comes in cardboard box these days, but there's no reason to haul the boxes to the trash when there are lots of things you can make for your home, starting with cardboard. Use cardboard to make decor items for the kitchen, living room, bedroom and even the bath. Cardboard can be versatile and durable, but most of all, cheap! And when it's painted or further decorated it can become an eye-catching part of your home.

For example, you can take huge boxes and cut shapes to fit an interior door. The shape doesn't have to be the exact shape of the door - it can be a simple rectangle, slightly smaller than the door, with rounded corners. Regardless of the cardboard design you choose, the cardboard can be covered in foam and vinyl for a look that's elegant yet inexpensive. Simply use spray adhesive to attach the foam, then the vinyl, to the cardboard. Tack the upholstered cardboard to the door and the entire room will look different! The upholstered cardboard is perfect for doors, wet bars, or even as a border on the wall.

Thick cardboard can be made into letters or monograms that appear to be wooden. Cut and paint the letters, then attach craft items like faux jewels, faux fur, roping, decorative tape, or even stickers. Use the letters as a decor item for a child's bedroom or as a monogram on the mantle. Even spell out phrases like "Happy Holidays" or "My Kitchen". There's no limit to the different phrases or lettering you can make. The letters are appropriate for most any room in the house. If the cardboard you have isn't thick enough glue several pieces together until you have the thickness you need.