Stop Tossing Paper Towel Tubes: Turn Them Into Mini Baskets Instead

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While it's fun to go shopping for high-quality craft supplies — think linen canvases and sets of Ohuhu Pastel Brush & Fine Alcohol Markers for about $50 — not all projects call for expensive materials. YouTuber Aija Creative turned yarn, artificial flowers, and paper towel rolls into cute basket storage to use in the home. It's the perfect example of sweet decor crafted from inexpensive items, yet it looks so polished. Use it as part of a seasonal mantel vignette or a floral-themed tablescape.

You'll need an empty paper towel tube in good condition. It forms the body of the basket, so you don't want any tears or dents. For decoration, gather some yarn, a ribbon, and a small selection of silk flowers. Ideally, coordinate the color and style of the yarn, ribbon, and flowers to create a cohesive aesthetic. For example, underrated color schemes that belong in your rustic home include tan, olive green, and brown. PerkHomy Natural Jute Twine would pair nicely with Fakilo Natural Rustic Cotton Ribbon and a bouquet of ZJCilected Dusty Brown Vintage Silk Peonies.

Grab a few tools, too, including a pair of scissors, a pencil, a hot glue gun, and some masking tape. Some soft, green florist's foam is optional, but you likely find it helpful for arranging your silk flowers just how you like them. It's not expensive, so should be easy to add to your list.

The length of the silk flower stems may determine the depth of the basket. Treat the tube like a vase for dried flowers and cut it to cover half to two-thirds of each stem. Alternatively, if the silk flower stems are uncomfortably long, cut them to your preferred length and then trim the tube. To cut the tube, press it flat, mark your cutting line with a pencil, then cut along it. You'll use the leftover tube to make the base of the basket, so don't throw it out.

Press the leftover piece of tube flat, then cut out a base for your basket. You can use the basket tube as a guide if needed. Use your hot glue gun to adhere the base to one end of the basket tube. Once the glue dries to the touch, add a dot of hot glue to the outside base of the basket tube. Attach one end of your yarn to the dot of glue and tightly wrap the rest around the basket tube until it's completely covered.

Next, cut three pieces of yarn. Tape them onto your work surface and braid them. Glue each end of the braided yarn to the rim of the basket to create a handle. Tie a small bow from ribbon and attach it to the top of the handle. Add a small piece of florist's foam, if you're using it, and arrange your silk flowers however you wish. Just make sure you can't see any foam.

Despite being small, the decorative potential of this basket makes it mighty. It's ideal for those small, hard-to-decorate spots, like that awkward corner shelf in your breakfast nook. You could also, for example, employ the rule of three and make three baskets for a fall or winter holiday tablescape. Vary the height of the baskets and the flower selection for visual interest — it's a hack within a hack — or add an unusual plant species, like Mihuage Dried Natural Cattails. Arrange the baskets in a group and surround them with tall candles, Keeplush Mini Craft Pumpkins, pine cones, and more.

Another option is to fill a few mini baskets with foil-wrapped chocolate kisses or chocolate coins. Place them on an old fence board turned into a gorgeous countertop organizer alongside a mug filled with cocoa sticks, a vintage-style tin canister full of tea bags or instant coffee packets, and some powdered creamer sachets. Add some cinnamon sticks as stirrers. Set everything on a night table in your guest room next to a Chefman Electric Kettle and some bottled water to create a pretty, practical display that makes your guests feel welcome.