When it comes to moments of creative inspiration, it’s always good to have a variety of materials on hand. Of all the items sitting comfortably at the bottom of your craft drawer, buttons tend to show up more frequently than others. It doesn’t matter if you purchased them from the store in bulk or if they found their way into a miscellaneous pile from shirts, cuffs, coats and beyond. Buttons are a basic yet creative way to incorporate color, texture and design into DIY projects.
The many hues, shapes and sizes of buttons make them highly versatile for use in a wide range of DIYs. Whether it’s elevating the look of a plain gift bag or personalizing a bouquet of faux flowers — whether using them to keep time or tie napkins in place — buttons quickly and easily get the job done. The following projects highlight the beauty of buttons and will inspire you with all the surprising ways they can contribute to your home décor.
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How to make a button magnet
A large round button makes the ideal base for a tassel magnet to stylishly keep memos in place on your fridge. Attach thread bundled into a variety of colors to a button top, using nothing more than a length of craft wire. Once the tassel is firmly in place, hide the magnet underneath the button and attach it with hot glue. It takes only a few minutes to create this one-of-a-kind button magnet that’s cute, colorful and perfect for organizing important cards and reminders. See the steps to creating this look here.
A large round button makes the ideal base for a tassel magnet to stylishly keep memos in place on your fridge. Attach thread bundled into a variety of colors to a button top, using nothing more than a length of craft wire. Once the tassel is firmly in place, hide the magnet underneath the button and attach it with hot glue. It takes only a few minutes to create this one-of-a-kind button magnet that’s cute, colorful and perfect for organizing important cards and reminders. See the steps to creating this look here.
How to make a button gift bag
Do you have a collection of plain gift bags on hand for when parties and celebrations come up on your calendar? While something standard will do, why not elevate the look of those party bags by adding some colorful buttons? All you need is hot glue to adhere small buttons in various shapes and colors to the paper. Mix and match tissue paper to correspond with the decorative buttons and add some whimsy to gift-giving. See the step-by-step process for designing this look here.
Do you have a collection of plain gift bags on hand for when parties and celebrations come up on your calendar? While something standard will do, why not elevate the look of those party bags by adding some colorful buttons? All you need is hot glue to adhere small buttons in various shapes and colors to the paper. Mix and match tissue paper to correspond with the decorative buttons and add some whimsy to gift-giving. See the step-by-step process for designing this look here.
How to make a button flower arrangement
When a beautiful bouquet of flowers would look lovely on an end table, but you don't have time to water and replace them, consider creating a unique floral arrangement topped with buttons. Start this simple project with a traditional bouquet of faux daisies, then remove the fabric centers of the flower heads and replace them with a decorative button in each. Mix button colors and patterns for aesthetic appeal before you regroup the stems into an attractive bouquet ready for the vase. Your button flower arrangement is ideal for the living room but would also look adorable on a child’s bookshelf, with pastel buttons for the flowers. Learn the steps to creating this floral DIY here.
When a beautiful bouquet of flowers would look lovely on an end table, but you don't have time to water and replace them, consider creating a unique floral arrangement topped with buttons. Start this simple project with a traditional bouquet of faux daisies, then remove the fabric centers of the flower heads and replace them with a decorative button in each. Mix button colors and patterns for aesthetic appeal before you regroup the stems into an attractive bouquet ready for the vase. Your button flower arrangement is ideal for the living room but would also look adorable on a child’s bookshelf, with pastel buttons for the flowers. Learn the steps to creating this floral DIY here.
How to make a button clock
Wall clocks are helpful for keeping you on schedule, and you can personalize them with a little style. Create a unique analog clock using a round board and a collection of wood buttons for rustic appeal. Mixing and matching oval and round buttons gives the clockface contrast, while making it easy for you to tell time from a distance. Pair wood buttons with a white background to let the buttons stand out with their warm, natural look. Add gold clock hands for an elegant finish. Hang your button clock in the living room, kitchen or anywhere else household members might need a friendly time reminder. See how it's done from start to finish here.
Wall clocks are helpful for keeping you on schedule, and you can personalize them with a little style. Create a unique analog clock using a round board and a collection of wood buttons for rustic appeal. Mixing and matching oval and round buttons gives the clockface contrast, while making it easy for you to tell time from a distance. Pair wood buttons with a white background to let the buttons stand out with their warm, natural look. Add gold clock hands for an elegant finish. Hang your button clock in the living room, kitchen or anywhere else household members might need a friendly time reminder. See how it's done from start to finish here.
How to make a button pillow
Throw pillows are a stylish and comfortable accessory for any couch, love seat or armchair, but they tend to come with a hefty price tag. Instead of shelling out dollars, grab a needle and thread, and add some charming buttons to a pillow cover to create a look that’s eye-catching and budget-friendly. Use wood buttons against a plain, dark fabric background for an appealing way to create contrast and add texture. You might like to position the buttons into floral arrangements across the pillow cover to give it a springtime flair. Learn the steps to creating this look here.
Throw pillows are a stylish and comfortable accessory for any couch, love seat or armchair, but they tend to come with a hefty price tag. Instead of shelling out dollars, grab a needle and thread, and add some charming buttons to a pillow cover to create a look that’s eye-catching and budget-friendly. Use wood buttons against a plain, dark fabric background for an appealing way to create contrast and add texture. You might like to position the buttons into floral arrangements across the pillow cover to give it a springtime flair. Learn the steps to creating this look here.
How to make a button mobile
Mobiles play a central role in many childhood memories but are also a wonderful decorative addition to an outdoor patio or garden. Get creative with a collection of colorful flower-shaped buttons and some thread to design a customized mobile to hang indoors or out. A wood hoop provides a sturdy base when you thread buttons onto lengths of string tied from the top. Choose bold, colorful buttons to give your mobile a whimsical look, but you can always stick to more neutral tones. See how easy it is to make it here.
Mobiles play a central role in many childhood memories but are also a wonderful decorative addition to an outdoor patio or garden. Get creative with a collection of colorful flower-shaped buttons and some thread to design a customized mobile to hang indoors or out. A wood hoop provides a sturdy base when you thread buttons onto lengths of string tied from the top. Choose bold, colorful buttons to give your mobile a whimsical look, but you can always stick to more neutral tones. See how easy it is to make it here.
How to make a button lampshade
The soft glow of a lamp can add warmth to a room, but after a while, it's easy to get tired of the same old standard lampshade. Transform that lampshade from generic to one-of-a-kind by adding charming buttons and lace. With this DIY, you'll cut lace flowers from a larger lace ribbon and add a colorful
button in the center. Once you've made your button flower, you can attach it anywhere on the lampshade. Place the lace and button flowers around the entire lampshade for an elegant accessory that still allows light to flow through the fabric. Get the details on how to craft this at home here.
The soft glow of a lamp can add warmth to a room, but after a while, it's easy to get tired of the same old standard lampshade. Transform that lampshade from generic to one-of-a-kind by adding charming buttons and lace. With this DIY, you'll cut lace flowers from a larger lace ribbon and add a colorful
button in the center. Once you've made your button flower, you can attach it anywhere on the lampshade. Place the lace and button flowers around the entire lampshade for an elegant accessory that still allows light to flow through the fabric. Get the details on how to craft this at home here.
How to make button napkin ties
When it's time to entertain family and friends, make sure the country-style table is ready for the party by creating a set of napkin ties featuring rustic buttons. Leather cord threaded through natural wood buttons makes it easy for you to slip cloth napkins in and out as they’re needed. Adding a few small, decorative buttons to the ends of the cord creates a finished look that works well with checkered patterns on solid plates. Contrasting wood buttons in lighter and darker shades will make it easy for your guests to keep track of their own table accessories as the fun continues. See how simple it is to create this tie here.
When it's time to entertain family and friends, make sure the country-style table is ready for the party by creating a set of napkin ties featuring rustic buttons. Leather cord threaded through natural wood buttons makes it easy for you to slip cloth napkins in and out as they’re needed. Adding a few small, decorative buttons to the ends of the cord creates a finished look that works well with checkered patterns on solid plates. Contrasting wood buttons in lighter and darker shades will make it easy for your guests to keep track of their own table accessories as the fun continues. See how simple it is to create this tie here.
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