We’ve all been there– you’ve finished up the last of the paper towels or wrapping paper, and you’re now left with that sturdy cardboard roll, wondering if it could serve a purpose beyond the recycling bin.
What if we told you that these simple paper rolls have plenty of practical uses around the house and office?
From organizing cords and cables to creating fun crafts for kids, they’re surprisingly versatile.
In this article, we’ll explore creative ways to repurpose paper rolls and give them a second life, saving you money and reducing waste in the process.
Let’s jump right in.
Shall we?
1. Create a Desk Organizer
The next time you want to throw out that paper roll, don’t. You can make a unique desk organizer using several paper rolls.
All you have to do is stick the paper rolls together at different heights using glue to create a shape that appeals to you. You can also have them at the same height if you want something simple.
Once the glue has dried, wrap the exterior with decorative wrapping paper or washi tape to enhance the overall look. Alternatively, you can spray paint the custom desk organizer in a color of your choice to save time.
Next, place it on your office or home desk and use it to store your pens. It’s that simple with a paper roll.
2. Use Them for Kids’ Craft Projects
It can be challenging to get your kids busy around the house, especially if they’re already bored with the toys they have. If they’re not running up and down the house, causing chaos, they’re on the screen for hours.
Paper rolls can go a long way in helping keep their curious minds busy and doing something creative.
If you have paper rolls lying around the house, all you need is glue, markers, and paint. Your kids can use these to create binoculars, small animals, cars, and other small items.
Just be sure to guide them through the process if they’re really young. Alternatively, have a tutorial they can follow to make different crafts if you want them engaged while you do something else.
Otherwise, they’ll be frustrated with the process and give up on the projects as well.
3. Use Them as Fire Starters
If you’ve started a campfire before or have a fireplace, you understand the frustration of starting the fire all too well. Dryer lint and shredded paper alone take too much time, and sometimes, you end up using too much to start the fire.
Paper rolls can save you the trouble. If you stuff the paper rolls with shredded paper and dryer lint, the fire will light up way faster, saving you material and time. Not to mention, it’s an excellent way to recycle waste while enjoying the great outdoors.
4. Make Bird Feeders
If you enjoy bird watching but don’t have a bird feeder to attract them to your property, you can make one using a paper roll. All you need to do is spread some peanut butter on the outside of the paper roll, making sure to be generous with the spread.
Next, roll the paper roll in birdseed, making sure plenty of seeds adhere to the peanut butter. Once you’ve done this, thread a piece of string through the roll and hang it on a tree. Birds will flock onto your property to enjoy the delicacy, and you’ll have the entertainment you seek—a win-win situation.
5. Create Office or Home Decor
You can also use paper rolls to make decor for your office or home. One option is to cut them into various shapes, stick them on canvas, and then paint over them to create a DIY canvas art piece. You can also use them to make DIY vases, photo frames, garlands, and wreaths.
Also, consider making flowers using paper rolls. To do this, cut the tubes into the shape of double-sided spoons and then use hot glue and unique layering techniques to shape them into flowers.
It may help to follow a tutorial if you’ve not made paper roll flowers or decor before. This way, you won’t waste too much material in the trial-and-error process. Once you’re done, consider spray painting the designs to remove the brown, rustic look of paper rolls.
Wrapping Up
There you have it: five fun uses for paper rolls around the house and office. As you can see, paper rolls don’t belong in the trash bin. You can use them to craft numerous things, thereby reducing waste.
However, for the best outcome, make sure you’ve collected numerous paper rolls, especially if you intend to make something big like a canvas art piece. Most importantly, follow YouTube tutorials to ensure your crafts come out okay and you don’t waste material trying different things that may not turn out great.
