How To Turn Coconut Shells Into Beautiful Bowls With An Easy DIY

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Did you pick up a couple of fresh coconuts at the farmer's market on the weekend because you find coconut water refreshing to drink? Perhaps you like making your own coconut oil to use in your garden. Either way, don't throw away the shells. There are plenty of ingenious ways to repurpose coconut shells in your home, including turning them into beautiful bowls. This easy DIY doesn't require many tools or supplies to create something that's as pretty as it is useful. Plus, it's arguably one of the most enjoyable ways to while away an afternoon.

To craft your very own coconut shell bowls, you'll first need a tool to cut the coconut in half. If you eat coconut flesh or drink the water often, you probably already have a favorite method. If not, you can use a hand saw or even a Dremel with a saw blade attachment. To quickly remove the flesh on the inside of the shell, you also need a tool that produces a flame, like the burner on the gas stove in your kitchen, if you have one, or a gas-powered camping stove.

Don't forget some sandpaper and a sanding block — or, if you prefer a powered option, an orbital or detail sander. Lastly, you'll want some type of varnish to finish the exterior of your bowl. If you plan to use the coconut shell for serving fruit or other edibles, you can coat the inside with tung oil. For example, Hope's 100% Pure Tung Oil is food-safe and will stop the shell from absorbing moisture and developing mold.

To complete this project in the easiest way possible, cut a clean coconut (with the husk removed) in half and drain the water. Place the half shell with the cut side facing up on top of a gas flame for a few minutes. This will soften the flesh, allowing you to separate it from the shell without much scraping. Keep a very close eye on the shell while it's on the flame — you don't want it to catch on fire — and remove it with oven mitts or heat-proof tongs. Once the shell is cool, remove the flesh. Then it's time to get sanding! Sand the outside and inside of the shell, making it nice and smooth and revealing the material's natural colors. Then coat the outside of your gorgeous new bowl with clear varnish to protect the shell and turn it into decor.

To make your coconut shell bowl food-safe, soak a soft cloth in tung oil or a food-grade mineral oil and coat the inside. The oil will soak into the shell and provide a nice-looking protective coating. Follow the package instructions to determine the number of coats you need. Alternatively, you could rub the entire bowl with coconut oil, which will give it a darker color and add some shine. To care for your coconut bowl so you'll get years of use from it, only wash it by hand in tepid water and avoid putting it in the microwave, dishwasher, oven, fridge, or freezer. You'll want to reapply the oil every so often, too. Did you know that you can create a beautiful DIY bird feeder out of coconut shells, popsicle sticks, string, and hot glue? It's a great way to use up any leftover shells.