Turn An Egg Carton Into Whimsical Mushroom Decor For Your Yard

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Before you toss out your old food containers, you might want to give it a second thought. It's easy to overlook these everyday scraps, but they're surprisingly full of DIY potential. For instance, there are so many genius ways to repurpose egg cartons. You can use old egg cartons to maximize storage and organization in your garage, or fashion them into drawer organizers. Got a green thumb? Upcycle them to start seeds. But beyond the practical hacks, they can open the door to something more inspired. With a little imagination, it's possible to transform egg cartons into stylish DIY home decor.

If you're in the mood to get creative, this DIY mushroom home or yard decor is one of the most charming ways to give egg cartons a second life. Inspired by Instagram creator @crafty.little.ones, this project is equal parts easy and enchanting. All it takes is a bit of cutting, painting, and gluing. By the time you're finished, you will have turned the most basic of materials into a whimsical display that looks like it belongs in a storybook garden.

To start this project, get two old egg cartons along with a pair of scissors and a craft knife, like this exacto-knife set from Jetmore, for cutting. You'll also need paint in your chosen paint colors, some sticks to serve as the mushroom stems, paintbrushes, and a cotton swab. Be sure to keep your hot glue gun handy for assembly.

First, use scissors to cut out the lids from both of your egg cartons and place those in the recycling bin. Then, cut out the individual egg cups from one of your cartons with the craft knife. These will serve as your mushroom caps. Once removed, paint them in any color or colors you like. Stick to classic red, go with a rainbow theme, play with pastels, or daub them with earthy tones. 

While your mushroom caps dry, grab your second carton and paint the bottom portion green to resemble grass, letting it also dry completely. After your mushroom caps have dried, dip a cotton swab into white paint and add small dots to each one for that spotted toadstool effect. Let the paint dry again before moving on. Next, use hot glue to attach a stick inside each mushroom cap, creating the stem. Lastly, glue each finished mushroom onto the green carton base to form a mounted display.

Alternatively, skip the base entirely and place individual mushrooms throughout your garden, or even tuck them into indoor planters for a playful touch. The beauty of this craft is how incredibly customizable it is. You can place it wherever your heart desires, experiment with glitter, or add any other embellishments.