Creative Ways To Reuse Milk Cartons In Your Decor

With a little imagination and originality, milk cartons can be used to create all kinds of decorative objects for your home.

In the world of interior design, all kinds of elements can be used to decorate homes. Any object can be repurposed to take on a whole different function and aesthetic. So, in this article, we want to show you some creative ways to reuse milk cartons in your decor.

Everyone needs to recycle wherever possible. Many of the items we throw in the trash can be given a second chance at life, including packaging. No matter what the material, you can give even the simplest items a whole new look.

As many of us drink milk regularly, milk cartons are a common sight in our homes. Rather than simply throwing them out, we have an opportunity to reuse them so that they can fulfill a particular decorative function.

Reusing milk cartons – pencil holders

Pencil holders are easy to make and can help give desks and children’s study areas a fun and original sense of character.

The first step is to cut off the top half of the carton so that you have a large hole. You’ll then need to clean it thoroughly to remove any last traces of milk.

The next step is to decorate the outside of your carton. The simplest way to do this is with wrapping paper, either plain or patterned. It’s important to make sure it’s tightly wrapped and stuck down firmly with glue.

If you have lots of stationery, you could make several organizers of all different sizes and colors, so that they contrast and complement one another nicely.

Bird boxes

Birds often look for hidden nooks and crannies to make their nests in the springtime. If you want to help out the local wildlife, you can use milk cartons to make cozy bird boxes, and hang them out in your yard or terrace.

1. For this DIY project, it’s important to use milk cartons made of strong, durable materials. While most milk cartons usually are fairly robust, some are a little more flimsy. Ideally, try to look for large cartons with triangular tops, like the ones in the photo above.
2. The most important step is to create a circular opening in the front of the carton to allow the birds to come and go. To do this, you can use a pair of scissors or a box cutter. It’s important to be precise and create an even, uniform hole.
3. You can decorate the exterior with colors and patterns, and attach wooden slats to the top to create a proper roof. And there you have it – a charming bird box for your yard.

Hanging these bird boxes in trees or up on the wall of your house will help give your yard a sense of character. Ideally, you should try to place them in a quiet, remote area of the yard to attract more birds.

Lamps and candle holders

Believe it or not, you can even use old milk cartons to make lamps. There are several different ways to do this. For example, you could insert the bulb and cables through the hole in the top, and use the cartons to create hanging lamps for your ceilings. Alternatively, you can also make table lamps, placing the bulb inside the cartons.

Another option is to turn your milk cartons into candle holders. You’d need to leave enough space inside for a large cylindrical candle, and create an opening to allow the light to escape.

Reusing milk cartons – DIY plant pots

Another interesting idea is to create your own DIY plant pots. All you need to do is make some holes in the bottom to allow the water to drain properly. You can then decorate the outside however you like.

We’d advise against planting larger species, or those that grow long roots. It’s best to stick to smaller indoor plants.