ideas for upcycling boxes for cats

12 Brilliant Ways to Reuse Cardboard Boxes

When you have a stack of cardboard boxes in the corner (too much online shopping this month?!), recycling is one option, but before breaking down those boxes, check out these super-creative and fun projects that repurpose cardboard into something useful and/or beautiful.

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Logo Coasters

If you've got some cardboard six-pack holders in your box pile, pull them out and make some coasters! You'll need a basic ceramic tile for each coaster, felt, Mod Podge sealer and finish, and spray lacquer. This is an easy, inexpensive project and the coasters make great gifts.

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cardboard castle Babich Alexander/Shutterstock

Cardboard Castle

When you have a big cardboard box from an appliance or piece of furniture, make sure a child gets to have fun with it! Those boxes can become playhouses, forts, castles and spaceships. For young children, provide help with cutting and assembly and make sure there are plenty of crayons, markers and/or chalk for decorating. On the opposite end of the durability spectrum, this gorgeous playhouse will last for decades.

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Shoe Rack

This innovative, flexible shoe rack uses repurposed cardboard boxes that have been cut, folded and held into triangle shapes with colorful tape. Attach as many as you need for a fun and stylish shoe storage solution. If you prefer a shoe rack made of wood, check out this one with classic modern style.

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Scratching Pad for Your Feline

Cardboard is an excellent scratching material for cats, providing a texture they really love. Cut long strips from cardboard boxes and curl them into a circle, using glue to hold it all together. You can paint the outer edge or cover it with fabric. For extra cat love, sprinkle some catnip into the cardboard as you work!

Thinking about adding some cat furniture to your home? Check out these 11 awesome DIY options.

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cardboard box sawhorses Family Handyman

Sawhorses

Appliance boxes are fun for kids to play with, but they can also have a second life as collapsible sawhorses! Despite their light weight, they'll hold heavy workpieces without wobbling. And they'll fold flat and store in seconds when the job's finished. Plus, you can cut them to a comfortable working height with a circular saw. Every appliance dealer we called had cartons to give away.

Want to build regular wooden sawhorses instead? Want to build regular wooden sawhorses instead? Here's how.

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cardboard boxes play dj setup Michelle D. Milliman/Shutterstock

Cardboard DJ

If you know a child who aspires to be the next hotter than hot DJ, all you need are some cardboard boxes and markers and you can create a setup for hours and hours of fun.

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cardboard box plastic bag dispenser

Dispenser Box

Here's a way to use a cardboard box to organize all of those plastic bags from the grocery store. Straighten them out and stack them into an organized pile. Then place the pile in a small cardboard box. Cut a hole in the box so you can pull out one bag at a time as you need it.

This plastic bag dispenser would also be handy in the basement or wherever you keep your cat's litter box or near your dog's leash. Then you'll have a stash of bags ready when it's time to clean up after your pet.

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cardboard christmas presents Lilly Trott/Shutterstock

Box Tree

No room for a Christmas tree? Allergic to trees? Maybe you should create a "tree" from cardboard boxes, pine cones and other found objects! This tree stacks up against a wall, so it takes up very little room. Temporarily attach the objects to the wall with removable mounting strips.

Not crazy about this look? Here are 12 more alternatives to a traditional Christmas tree.

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storing spray paint in a wine box

Spray Paint Can Holder

If you buy wine by the case or live near a liquor store, you have or have access to, wine boxes. (Not to be confused with boxed wine!) Did you know that those wine boxes are great for storing spray paint? The interior dividers are sized just right for the narrow cans, and the colorful lids of the spray paint are easily visible when you look inside the box. Place the box of spray paint on a shelf or in a cabinet, and pull it out when it's time to paint.

A wine box also works well for storing other spray products that pile up in your workshop, such as WD-40, silicone lubricant, etc. Check out more workshop storage solution in this collection.

Originally Published: March 20, 2021

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