Save Plastic Lids To Turn Them Into Upcycled Home Décor

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Want to keep plastic lids from cluttering up your cabinets? Sort through them and set aside any that are missing their matching container or are leftover from that takeout dinner you had the other day. Voilà! Now, you have fewer lids to organize. Instead of throwing out these unpartnered lids, you can use them for crafting. This nifty DIY project transforms what would usually be considered trash into unique relief art coasters or wall décor. You simply pipe patterns onto the cleaned plastic lids using hot glue and cover everything in paint. Then you can decorate the patterns with a second hue. All it takes is a bit of creativity, a few supplies, and a spare afternoon to transform old plastic lids into unique pieces of art.

First, sort out which lids you want to use for this DIY. It could be a set of matching circular lids that once graced deli salad containers. If you have to buy them new, a 50-pack of Acellegic Clear Deli Container Lids costs about $16. That's a lot of art! You could also head to your local thrift store and pick up an eclectic mix of lids in all shapes and sizes. You'll also need a permanent marker, a hot glue gun, some clear glue sticks, paintbrushes in assorted sizes, and a few small sponges. Get a bottle of FolkArt Radiant Sparkling Gold Metallic Multi-Surface Acrylic Craft Paint and another bottle in teal. Alternatively, if you're not sure what colors you'll go with yet, grab an Artkey Acrylic Paint Set with a range of mixable hues.

Make sure that your lids are clean and free of any stickers or residue. Draw any pattern you like on the top of the lids using the permanent marker. For example, it could be a nature-themed design, with flowers on some and leaves on others. Pick a design you think will look good in relief. You could even write names or words if you have a particularly steady hand. Then personalize your home décor with this smart hot glue gun hack: trace over the marker lines with a line of hot glue. Once the hot glue is dry to the touch, paint the lids gold (or whatever color you prefer). Allow the first layer of paint to dry completely, then highlight parts of the pattern with the teal paint (or paint in another hue).

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Note that hot glue doesn't bond well to some plastics. Test your specific brand of sticks on a spare lid first. If you make a mistake with your hot glue or you don't like the design you've created, it's easy enough to remove the glue without damaging the plastic lid. Apply rubbing alcohol to the edges of the line of glue to release the bond and then peel it off the plastic surface. If you're decorating lots of lids and are anxious to move onto the painting stage, there is a little-known hot glue gun hack every DIYer needs to know. You can dunk your creations in iced water to harden the glue faster.

With a DIY project like this, where you are using everyday inexpensive supplies like plastic lids and hot glue, you have lots of room for personalization. Gold and teal are a luxurious pairing, but you can use any colors you prefer to create the look you want. Think about what hues might work well with your existing décor to help you choose an ideal palette. You could, for example, paint an entire set of lids in black and white for a luxe monochromatic vibe. Highlight special features, like floral stems, with a little bit of white paint, or emphasize the glue lines with gold leaf paint. You could even embellish the design with Super Z Outlet Assorted Colorful Stick-On Gems
or pieces from an All Shape Mirror Kit.

Now, your transformed plastic lids are ready to use or display in your home. If you want to hang your creations on the wall as art pieces, affix a small Wenqik Adhesive Picture Hanger to the back of each one or mount them inside a transparent frame. Add them to a gallery wall with paintings or group assorted sizes close together with the edges overlapping. You could also use a plate stand or a clear plastic mini easel to display the decorated lids on a shelf or mantel. Another option is to seal the design using Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating Aerosol Spray or a similar protective coating and use the lids as drink coasters.