If you’ve never taken advantage of the simple paper napkin as a crafting staple, you really need to. Available in limitless colors and patterns, they have just as many exquisite artistic applications. The tissue-y nature of napkins allows you to cut and manipulate them effortlessly, while a coat of Mod Podge affixes them permanently to most surfaces.
These napkin DIYs will surprise you with their ease and inventiveness — and if your supply is low at home, you'll have a ball searching your local party store and the internet for paper napkins of every size and sort. The decorative effect napkins offer isn’t overbearing, but rather, a pretty complement to many objects and materials. Once you discover the ease of incorporating napkins into your DIY supply repertoire, you’re sure to seek many more opportunities to use them.
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Stylishly quenching
Nothing says summer fun quite like a bucket full of chilled drinks. This one, covered in a zesty lemon print, is as inviting as it is appealing. Guests will never know you achieved the look with printed napkins and Mod Podge — unless you tell them, of course. Crack open a soda and strike up a conversation next to this adorable drink bucket. Get the tutorial here.
Nothing says summer fun quite like a bucket full of chilled drinks. This one, covered in a zesty lemon print, is as inviting as it is appealing. Guests will never know you achieved the look with printed napkins and Mod Podge — unless you tell them, of course. Crack open a soda and strike up a conversation next to this adorable drink bucket. Get the tutorial here.
Suspended animation
Declutter your surfaces by saying farewell to photo frames and adorning a photo hanger with napkins instead. This DIY has you cover a sturdy wooden hanger with decorative paper napkin pieces. Since it’s hung on a single wall hook, you can avoid the Swiss cheese effect of too many nails in a standard gallery wall. The stylish photo hanger is a décor novelty that’s as interesting as the photos it showcases. You can change out pictures with zero hassle, and because there are thousands of patterned paper napkins out there, you can create something that complements your space and style. Learn how to make one here.
Declutter your surfaces by saying farewell to photo frames and adorning a photo hanger with napkins instead. This DIY has you cover a sturdy wooden hanger with decorative paper napkin pieces. Since it’s hung on a single wall hook, you can avoid the Swiss cheese effect of too many nails in a standard gallery wall. The stylish photo hanger is a décor novelty that’s as interesting as the photos it showcases. You can change out pictures with zero hassle, and because there are thousands of patterned paper napkins out there, you can create something that complements your space and style. Learn how to make one here.
Somewhere over the rainbow
This project’s fun comes from the fact that the primary material needed to make it is also what you'll eventually store in it! This napkin holder DIY uses napkins themselves to transform a standard issue holder into a feel-good rainbow. You can customize the project with the paint colors you choose. Opt for pastels for a softer look or go for primary colors or bold neon. Your taste and kitchen color scheme can dictate the final, eye-catching outcome. The project tutorial is here.
This project’s fun comes from the fact that the primary material needed to make it is also what you'll eventually store in it! This napkin holder DIY uses napkins themselves to transform a standard issue holder into a feel-good rainbow. You can customize the project with the paint colors you choose. Opt for pastels for a softer look or go for primary colors or bold neon. Your taste and kitchen color scheme can dictate the final, eye-catching outcome. The project tutorial is here.
Burning bright
You’ve likely seen boxes and furniture pieces get the decoupage treatment, where decorative paper, affixed with a special glue, adorns them. Here we cover a solid-colored candle with a decorative paper napkin fragment, and the result couldn’t be more elegant. Our napkin give the candle a marble effect, but you can choose a floral or geometric print, or even a metallic one to give your table the “glam slam.” Best of all, you can still burn your candle as you would normally, and you can use tall taper candles or wider pillars for a more sophisticated look. The instructions for the DIY are here.
You’ve likely seen boxes and furniture pieces get the decoupage treatment, where decorative paper, affixed with a special glue, adorns them. Here we cover a solid-colored candle with a decorative paper napkin fragment, and the result couldn’t be more elegant. Our napkin give the candle a marble effect, but you can choose a floral or geometric print, or even a metallic one to give your table the “glam slam.” Best of all, you can still burn your candle as you would normally, and you can use tall taper candles or wider pillars for a more sophisticated look. The instructions for the DIY are here.
Visually vivid
Wall art can get pricey, but with a few supplies and some pretty paper napkins, you can create a piece that anyone would swear came from a gallery. Your taste is what dictates this DIY. You can layer many napkin pieces onto the canvas to create a luxurious, layered collage effect, or just apply one or a few images on the canvas for a more minimal, modern vibe. A grouping of these would also form a stunning gallery wall. Learn how to make a napkin art piece here.
Wall art can get pricey, but with a few supplies and some pretty paper napkins, you can create a piece that anyone would swear came from a gallery. Your taste is what dictates this DIY. You can layer many napkin pieces onto the canvas to create a luxurious, layered collage effect, or just apply one or a few images on the canvas for a more minimal, modern vibe. A grouping of these would also form a stunning gallery wall. Learn how to make a napkin art piece here.
Poised presentation
Repurpose a plain old serving tray into one with high style by adding a layer of decorative paper napkin. The myriad colors and patterns available in napkins may make your choice a challenging one, but the project itself is easy-peasy. And don’t stop at using this tasteful tray for serving guests only. It can be employed as a toiletry organizer in the bathroom, a collection keeper in the living room or a perfume bottle holder on top of your bedroom vanity. The tray tutorial is here.
Repurpose a plain old serving tray into one with high style by adding a layer of decorative paper napkin. The myriad colors and patterns available in napkins may make your choice a challenging one, but the project itself is easy-peasy. And don’t stop at using this tasteful tray for serving guests only. It can be employed as a toiletry organizer in the bathroom, a collection keeper in the living room or a perfume bottle holder on top of your bedroom vanity. The tray tutorial is here.
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