You’ve finally finished unpacking, and all of your belongings are neatly stored in your new home. Everything looks great, except for that gigantic pile of cardboard boxes. And if you’re living in NYC-sized apartments, you probably don’t have extra storage.
While you can just recycle or give your boxes away, if you have a little time and creativity, you can transform your boxes into awesome items without spending additional money. So get out those craft supplies and get ready to repurpose your moving boxes.
Shoe Rack
If you’re tired of tripping over your shoes in your apartment, you can easily make a shoe rack from your cardboard boxes. All you need to do is cut your box into rectangular pieces and then fold the outer pieces up to form a triangle. From there, tape it so the cardboard retains its rectangular shape. You can attach as many as you want to house your shoes.
Scratching Pad for Cats
If your cat has worn out her old cardboard scratching boards, you can make one yourself with your leftover boxes. Cut your box into long strips and then arrange them in a circular or rectangular pattern, gluing the pieces together to ensure they hold. You can get creative and affix some leftover wrapping paper or fabric to the outer edge to make it look nice.
Pet-Friendly Cardboard Projects
| Project | Materials | How to Make | Size / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratching Pad | Cardboard, glue, scissors | Cut strips, stack/glue in patterns, optional fabric wrap | 12”x18” or circular; non-toxic glue |
| Cat House | Large box, tape, fabric | Cut entrance, reinforce edges, add lining, and optional windows | 18”x18”x18”; use sturdy cardboard |
| Cardboard Tunnel | Long boxes, tape | Cut holes at the ends, and connect the boxes for the tunnel | 3–6 ft long; 12” wide |
| Puzzle Toy | Cardboard, treats, scissors | Cut small holes, hide treats inside | 12”x12”x6”; supervise first use |
| Scratching Mat | Thin cardboard sheets, glue | Stack sheets horizontally, glue | 10”x15”; rotate when worn |
Storage Boxes
This seems like a no-brainer, but if you don’t want to throw out your old boxes or break them down, then use them as storage containers. It might be harder to find a good place for your larger moving boxes, but if you use banker boxes, a nice layer of fabric can transform them from ugly to chic in just a few minutes. You can then use these boxes to store whatever you want, from magazines to craft materials to your kids’ toys. The possibilities are endless.
Planter
Do you have a green thumb? Chances are, you probably have your current plants in their own containers, but if you plan on getting more (and let’s face it, you probably will), there’s no reason you have to spend money to get a new planter. Instead, just fit a garbage bag in the box and poke some holes in the plastic and cardboard (for drainage). After that, just fill with soil and plant! You can even paint the outside of the box if you want to make it more aesthetically pleasing. Again, this might not be the best option for larger moving boxes, but you could potentially cut it into smaller pieces and securely tape or glue the pieces together to form a smaller box.
Coasters
You don’t have to be super crafty to make amazing coasters. All you need are scissors and some decorative tape. Try out different shapes from circles to octagons to stars. Just make sure that the coasters are large enough to actually protect your furniture!
Wall Decoration
Why spend hundreds of dollars on decorations when you can make them yourself? Cardboard boxes tend to be incredibly sturdy, which makes them incredibly versatile when it comes to decoration. Some ideas include:
- Inspirational words – you can use large stencils to cut out the letters to ensure consistency
- Shapes – Want stars on your wall? Go for it! More into squares, you can do that as well. Rather than just cut and paint willy-nilly, come with a vision for what you want on the wall in terms of shape, size, and color, and go from there
- Other designs – Do you have kids? Why not put up some cardboard decorations of their favorite object, whether that’s a car or a red panda?
There are endless opportunities when it comes to wall decorations; the only limit is your imagination and skill.
Wall Decoration Ideas
| Wall Decor Idea | Materials | How to Make | Tips / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspirational Words | Cardboard, stencil, paint | Cut letters using a stencil, paint, and attach to the wall | Use large stencils for consistency |
| Geometric Shapes | Cardboard, scissors, paint, or fabric | Cut triangles, squares, or hexagons; decorate and mount | Plan the layout before attaching |
| Kids’ Favorite Objects | Cardboard, paint, markers | Cut shapes like cars, animals, or toys; paint and mount | Great for kids’ rooms; lightweight pieces |
| 3D Wall Art | Cardboard, glue, paint, decorative paper | Layer cut pieces to create depth and attach to the wall | Experiment with colors and textures |
| Photo Frames | Cardboard, scissors, tape, photos | Cut frame shapes, decorate, insert photos, and hang | Lightweight and easy to change |
Lightbox
Whether you’re selling your items on Etsy or eBay, a lightbox is an amazing tool to highlight your product. There’s no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on equipment when you have everything you need at home! If you only have large boxes, you can cut them down to the appropriate size – though larger boxes are great if you want to photograph bigger items. The only other thing you need for this project is some tape, white poster board, and tissue paper (for the light). And that’s it! Your product photography will improve exponentially.
Homemade Journal
Are you a writer, or do you know someone who is? Purchasing a journal is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Just grab some 8.5 x 11 paper and, holding it in landscape, fold it in half. After that, cut out pieces of cardboard for the cover. Make sure that these pieces are slightly larger than the paper you folded. Once you’re done, attach everything together with a cord, and you’re good to go. If you want to, glue some fabric on the cardboard for a more chic look.
Play Kitchen
If you have a lot of large boxes, you can make a complete play kitchen complete with fridge, oven, and pantry. You can even involve your child in its creation by having them tape/glue together the pieces and choosing what items to put into the pantry. To make it more realistic, add in details like a faucet for the sink (you can use the top of a plastic pump dispenser for the faucet) and the knobs for the oven. The more effort you put into making it as ‘real’ as possible, the better it will look. And, more importantly, the more your child will have fun using it!
Kids’ Play Kitchens & Toys
| Project | Materials | How to Make | Tips / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Play Kitchen | Large cardboard boxes, tape, scissors, markers | Cut openings for oven/fridge, add shelves, decorate with markers | Use sturdy boxes; involve kids in decoration |
| Cardboard Oven | Medium box, bottle caps, tape, paint | Cut door, attach knobs using bottle caps, paint oven details | Safe edges; supervise children while playing |
| Pantry Box | Small boxes, tape, markers | Stack boxes as shelves, label with pretend food items | Encourage imaginative play |
| Cardboard Sink | Box, plastic pump bottle, tape, paint | Attach pump as faucet, decorate box, add pretend dishes | Ensure pump is securely attached |
| Play Kitchen Set Combo | Multiple boxes, tape, scissors, markers, paint | Combine fridge, oven, sink, pantry; decorate together | Super fun for group play; keep pieces stable |
Sell Your Boxes
If you don’t want to try any of these options out, why not resell your moving boxes? While you won’t get a lot of money from it, you can net anywhere between $0.50 to $1.50, depending on the size. Sites like Craigslist and BoxCycle are great places to recoup some of your costs, especially in a place like NYC, where people are moving all the time.
If you don’t care about the money, you can use a site like Free Cycle or even the U-Haul customer connect to offer your boxes to another person who is moving.
There are probably a dozen other ways you can repurpose your moving boxes, but hopefully these ideas can give you some inspiration.
