Make Your Own Coral Reef Themed Decor Using Dollar Tree Pool Noodles
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If you're planning to host a party soon and are tired of the usual store-bought decorations, like balloons and garlands, why not try to DIY something fresh and exciting? You can make your own coral reef-themed decor using basic Dollar Tree pool noodles. It's a great way to incorporate an ocean theme in your home for a party without breaking the bank or purchasing costly decorations.
This idea comes from TikTok creator @evvmdecorating, who found many ways to cut and assemble pool noodles to create coral reef decor. They paired it with some cutout fish, seashell-themed wall art, and bubble-shaped bowls to create a one-of-a-kind party table layout. You can use the same approach to decorate for a birthday party, a costume party, or an ocean-themed event. These work whether you're decorating for an indoor or outdoor party, but make sure not to let pieces of pool noodle fly away and litter the environment. Pool noodles are made of foam (typically polyethylene), which is not biodegradable. To avoid disrupting ecosystems, these DIY decor pieces should be handled like other plastic waste: by placing them in the recycling bin when you're done.
This is just one of the many ways to use a pool noodle for decor or hacks, and it works just as well with brand-new noodles as it does with old ones. You might be able to find packs of pool noodles at your local thrift store, or use this DIY to upcycle some old ones that are cluttering your garage. And of course, you can also buy brand new brightly colored foam pool noodles from the Dollar Store for just $1.50 each. This DIY doesn't require painting or covering the pool noodle, so choose the color wisely. For coral, blues, greens, and some purples work wonderfully.
How to turn hollow pool noodles into coral decor pieces
If you're working with Dollar Tree pool noodles, you'll notice that they're hollow, in a tube or straw-like shape. This design lends itself particularly well to some of the DIYs from the original creator's video, while some other decor pieces use solid pool noodles instead. If you're interested in trying those out, too, you can purchase solid-core pool noodles in stores or online, like Oodles of Noodles' solid deluxe pool noodles.
@evvmdecorating How I made a coral reef out of pool noodles 🪸🦀 I did end up changing: – The bubble color from blue to purple; – The orange pieces. I didn't include them in the reef, but they did end up in a different part of the house. #poolnoodle #coralreef #diy #undertheseaparty #mermaidparty #oceanparty #poolnoodlecoralreef
One fun and easy way to make coral-themed decor with hollow pool noodles is to create three-way standing coral reef structures. To make this, cut three pieces of noodle at different heights: each with one flat end and one diagonal cut on the other end. Then, attach the three pieces together, diagonal side up, using a dot of hot glue or wrapping them with clear fishing wire. Another option is to cut thin 1/2 inch slices from the noodle, fold them in half like a taco, secure them with glue, and slide them onto a long wooden skewer. You can also cut 1-inch-thick slices from a pool noodle and stack them, staggering the slices left and right to create a tall, coral-like tower.
As always with internet DIYs, use this as an inspiration and a basis for your own projects! Use a piece of pool noodle, hot glue (not too much to prevent melting), skewers, and fishing wire to assemble decor pieces and set up your home for a memorable party. For example, use fishing wire to hang slices of pool noodles from trees to create bubble decor, or use longer skewers (like these 36-inch-long s'mores sticks from Tesorrio) to create taller pieces that you can stick into the ground for a garden party.