Transform Old Egg Cartons Into Elegant DIY Flower Decorations

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

There are many ways to use old egg cartons around a house. These ideas can be functional, decorative, or sometimes both. The YouTuber DontBuyDIY_Official took to the internet to share the unique way they transform individual cardboard egg carton cups into elegant flowers for a DIY bouquet. The primary ingredient for this product is at least one bulk-sized cardboard egg container.

The DIYer shaped the cardboard cups into petals, then combined them with other materials to create gorgeous paper flowers. With a thick coat of paint, you'd never guess they were made from egg cartons. The idea differs from another DIY that turns egg cartons into the cutest home decor, which has a more sunflower-like appearance. DontBuyDIY_Official's design, on the other hand, has a dahlia-like appearance that makes it a perfect addition to autumn-inspired decor.

Cutting and crafting the cardboard flowers requires materials and tools you likely already have. First, you'll need a pair of scissors, a hot glue gun, and wood skewers, as well as a can of spray paint to cover the cardboard flowers. The original DIYer used a glittery gold spray paint, like Rust-Oleum's Specialty Glitter Spray Paint, but you can easily swap it for a color that complements your interior while taking inspiration from the real dahlias nearly endless range of colors.

Start by cutting apart the egg carton with a pair of scissors. Cut slits around each cup, leaving a circle in the center, then trim the rectangular sections into petal-like shapes, as shown in DontBuyDIY_Official's tutorial. Repeat with several more cups until you have five, then hot glue them together in a stack to create a layered flower shape. Keep the outer layers splayed out and scrunch the inner layers together, using your fingers to press down the center as you glue. A hot glue gun works well for this project because it bonds to porous cardboard and dries quickly.

Once the flower is made, use a dot of hot glue on the bottom to attach a wooden skewer, and hold it in place for at least 30 seconds while the glue sets. Repeat this process until you have at least three flowers. You may want to make even more cardboard dahlias, however, you may have to find a few more egg cartons as each flower requires several layered cups.

Once the flowers are assembled, spray paint them in your color of choice. Opt for a glittery metallic color, like the original DIYer, to get the same elegant aesthetic. Just make sure to give the paint about 30 minutes to dry before styling it in your home. You can pair this gorgeous idea with other upcycles, like this idea that turns a toilet paper holder into an elegant DIY vase. You could also thread these paper flowers through a wreath, tabletop centerpiece, or skip the wood skewers and turn the petals into a gorgeous garland for interior spaces. Just avoid putting them outdoors, where rain and humidity will slowly break down the cardboard.