Stop Throwing Out Egg Cartons — Turn Them Into Whimsical Forest-Inspired Decor

You probably put the empty cartons in a recycling bin after using up the eggs or transferring them to a more aesthetic basket. But you shouldn't throw out old egg cartons without trying this genius DIY first. Turn this waste into a whimsical forest-inspired decor by cutting out the pointed cones from a carton. Paint them in the likeness of a rabbit and glue them to a stable base to craft unique bunny portraits that depict you as well as your family in a cute way.

Besides being an eco-friendly project, it's also an economical one. It's because you'll most likely find all the supplies you need at home. To illustrate, you can just use an egg carton you have handy. In case you don't have any at home, ask your friends, neighbors, or extended family to give you one. Or, you can pilfer the recycling bin in your area to grab one on your own. But ensure it's cardboard or Styrofoam since it'll be difficult to draw faces on a plastic divider. Moreover, whatever your source, you should always do one thing before using egg cartons for home DIY projects: cleaning and sanitizing them. This will help you get rid of the residual egg bits, lingering smells, and bacteria. Simply rub it down with a soft microfiber cloth prior to spraying it with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. While they dry, gather some acrylic paint, a black marker, craft paper, scissors, craft glue and hot glue, and some cardboard or a few small picture frames for the base.

The first step is to cut out the pointed cones from your egg carton. In case it feels too tall for a rabbit's snout, cut off the bottom until you're satisfied with the length. And if the top feels too pointy, make four small cuts and fold the sides so they overlap. Then, glue them down for a softer and smoother snout. You can even use the flat bits on the reverse side if you like. The number will depend on how many bunny portraits you're planning to DIY. Trim the same number of half circles or ovals to give your bunnies a body. And cut out double the number of ears to complete the look. If you want the end result to look polished, draw the outlines on the carton lid or cardboard prior to cutting them out.

Now, paint the snouts, body cut-outs, and ears in a shade of your choosing. Another method is to coat them all in a thin layer of white paint to let the carton's natural texture shine through and give your portraits a realistic touch. After you're done and the parts are all dry, grab a marker and draw eyes as well as a rabbit nose on all snouts. Feel free to add extra details like spectacles, freckles, and whiskers. Lastly, glue them all on your chosen base — it can be a decorated piece of cardboard or a fancy craft paper cut to size. A small photo frame works, too.

One of the simplest ways to differentiate between your bunny portraits is painting them all a different shade. You can even use era-specific colors or garment designs on the body cut-outs if you're making enough for your entire family. For instance, you can design a flowery dress for your grandmother, while your grandfather might be dressed in a sharp suit with a colored or funky tie. You can even name each portrait after the family member you're hoping to depict. Nicknames will bring in a dose of familiarity.

But if you're hoping to modernize your outdated gallery wall, don't just stop at paint. Use scrap pieces of fabric, leftover leather from previous projects, cute ribbons, raffia, and wallpaper or other adhesive sheets to give the portraits some dimension. Miniature hats, hair clips, and eye glasses will bring in more detail. Also, instead of having a plain background, paint the carton or cardboard in a shade each person loves. To go the extra mile, add little designs, like flowers, fruits, hearts, or geometrical shapes, with a sketch pen. Regarding the frames, give them a fancy cut so they stand out. Glitter and beads in the margins will further prettify them. Or, you can thrift old photo frames and give them a fresh coat of paint.