Turn An Old Cardboard Box Into Unique Wall Art With This Simple DIY

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Most of us have a few extra cardboard boxes lying around, whether from a recent online purchase, a move, or a new pair of shoes. Although it's easy to let them collect dust in the corner of a garage or even toss them to the curb on recycling day, there are a lot of smart ways to repurpose cardboard boxes as organizational tools, craft projects, and beyond. Next time you're gearing up to take out the trash, consider holding onto a few boxes to turn into a rope-framed mirror DIY.

This quick-and-easy DIY channels the same beach vibes as one of Martha Stewart's home decor hacks, and can serve both form and function in your home. You can hang the finished product above the bathroom sink or even use it to brighten up a living room. Along with a box, you'll need rope​, the length of which depends on the intended thickness of your frame and the size of the mirror. It's best to err on the side of too much, as opposed to too little.

Some crafters recommend silky rope, but you can also pick up a length of natural jute from your local craft store for a more nautical look. Cotton cords are a good option for styling the perfect boho entryway. You'll also need a sharp box cutter or X-Acto knife, painter's tape, a hot glue gun, and some extra twine for potential finishing touches. The centerpiece of this project is the mirror; you'll want one that fits your desired size nicely while still leaving room for the rope design, like this Auconda Circle Shape Mirror from Amazon, which you can easily glue to the cardboard.

To begin the project, use a dinner plate to trace a perfect circle on the cardboard. If you have one on hand, a drawing compass, like this Mr. Pen Store Professional Compass, will give you more freedom to experiment with sizing. Next, cut around the circle with your box cutter, then — ideally using a tape measure — hot glue the mirror in the center.

Here's where it all starts to come together: Begin at the mirror's edge and loop the rope to cover the exposed cardboard, fastening it down with hot glue. If you're tackling this project on a larger scale with a thicker rope, you can cut each new loop with an X-Acto knife, making sure to mark the edges with painter's tape. After each loop is complete, wrap twine perpendicularly around the exposed ends to disguise them.

You can also try this with a circular picture frame rather than a mirror. After you perfect this project, you can start experimenting with different rope colors for a more textured look, or even add shells to decorate your home like a beach house. Ultimately, you'll have a unique piece of wall art ready to display or replicate as part of a one-of-a-kind gallery.