101 Uses For a Cardboard Box

Certain things are best kept old-fashioned in this day of rapid technological advancement and fast-paced living. For decades, cardboard boxes have been in use and are not going away anytime soon. They are the ideal option for every delivery service since they are affordable, robust, and recyclable.

A cardboard box is a popular choice for all retailers and business owners due to its ability to be recycled up to five or seven times. Since cardboard boxes are use for shipping and delivery of goods on a daily basis, we all often have a pile of cardboard boxes scattered throughout our homes. 

Let’s explore 101 uses for a cardboard box.

101 Creative and Practical Uses for a Cardboard Box

Cardboard boxes are so versatile and can be reused for so many things in the household. Whether you use them for organizing, decorating, or even crafts, you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be something here for everyone. 

Here are 101 Uses for custom cardboard boxes:

1. Holiday Decoration Storage

Store all your seasonal items in the cardboard box and keep everything safe and organised. To access these next year easily, don’t forget to label the boxes.

2. DIY Drawer Dividers

Cut and fold a cardboard box to create custom dividers inside your drawers. Best for separating small items.

3. Kids’ Toy Storage

Do not buy bins. Store toys in cardboard boxes neatly. Make it interesting with fun labels.

4. Cat House

Cut a cardboard box into the shape of a house and make it your pet cat’s cozy hiding place. Add some soft fabrics for comfort inside.

5. Planter Boxes

You can create a temporary planter made of cardboard that is environment-friendly. Simply line it up with plastic to prevent leakage.

6. Mail Sorting Tray

Make a cardboard box designated tray for incoming mail. Add dividers for bills, letters, and packages.

7. Moving Organizer

When moving, use cardboard boxes to group your items. Label the box for easy unpacking.

8. Gift Box Wrapping

No wrapping paper is needed. Decorate a cardboard box and use it as a creative gift box.

9. Costume Prop

Use cardboard to make costume accessories like armor, shields, or swords. It’s lightweight and easy to paint.

10. Desks Organizer

Use a cardboard box to create multi-compartment desk organizer for pens, paper clips, etc.

11. Bird Feeder

Use a cardboard box and make a bird feeder. Fill with seeds and hang it up outside for a fun project.

12. Wall Art Frames

Cut up a cardboard box to decorate and create custom picture frames for your walls

13. Toy Car Garage

Build a toy car garage in a large box for your child. Add ramps, parking spots, and whatnot.

14. Party Favor Boxes

Decorate small cardboard boxes and fill them with party favors for guests. Personalize each box with the party theme.

15. Furniture Coasters

Cut small pieces of cardboard and place them under furniture legs in order not to scratch floors.

16. Book Shelf Dividers

Use pieces of cardboard to separate books by way of easy organization by size.

17. Miniature Storage Bins

Make the little boxes compact to store small items on your desk, drawers, or pantry.

18. Playhouse for Kids

Cut up a big cardboard box to have fun creating playhouses to play around the house for kids.

19. Guitar Stand

Make a stand for guitar with a good cardboard box by musicians.

20. Pet Bed

Line the cardboard box and make it comfortable for pets and make it a cushion pet bed.

21. Recycling Station

Choose one cardboard box as recycling, either for paper and for cans. It keeps up with things easily as it is also ecofriendly.

22. Game Board for children

Be creative by drawing gameplay trails on cardboxes or even themes from one on to another. Add necessary gameplay peices.

23. Temporary Clothes Organizers

Separate one in a closet, using your box to sort seasonal attires which keeps the closet area from having scattered looks.

24. Mailing Boxes

Use a box from an online delivery to send another package. This saves waste and is inexpensive.

25. Desk Mouse Pad

Cut cardboard into the size of a mouse pad. You can even decorate it to suit your workspace style.

26. Cardboard Stencils

Cut out shapes from cardboard to use as stencils for painting or crafting projects.

27. Home Library Organizer

Store books in shelves using cardboard dividers by category. This way, it will be easy to find your next read.

28. Puzzle Storage

Store puzzles in small boxes so they can easily be retrieved and their pieces not get disorganized.

29. Closet Shoe Organizer

Reuse flat boxes to organize your closet shoe collection. They remain tidy and well-arranged.

30. Door Draft Stopper

Fill a box with fabric or foam, and place it at the bottom of a door to prevent cold air from entering your house.

31. Christmas Tree Skirt

Make a DIY Christmas tree skirt using a cardboard box. Add fabric and decorations to complete the design.

32. Magazine Holder

Cut and fold a cardboard box to create a stylish magazine holder for your living room or office.

33. Birdhouse

Build a simple birdhouse from a cardboard box, perforate it, decorate it, and hang it outside for the local wildlife.

34. Flowerpot Holder

Put a flowerpot inside a cardboard box to provide additional support and protection from the weather.

35. Scrapbook Organizer

Store paper, scissors, and embellishments in a well-labeled cardboard box to organize scrapbooking.

36. Wine Bottle Organizer

Use a cardboard box with dividers in it to keep the bottles safe and organized.

37. Holiday Gift Wrap Storage

Store all of your wrapping paper rolls in a cardboard box. Top with a lid to keep it looking tidy.

38. Magazines Subscription Storage

Use a cardboard box and place a title of dates or theme at the side or top to identify a set of magazine collection.

39. Photo Album Organizer

Store photos, albums, or scrapbooks within a cardboard box. Personalize with the decor.

40. Drying Rack for Painting

Dry paintings or other art projects on cardboard boxes. Lay the art flat and let it dry.

41. Garden Mulch Box

Line a cardboard box along the garden bed to suppress weed growth but promote healthy plant growth.

42. Organize Holiday Lights

Roll up Christmas or Halloween lights and store them in a cardboard box to prevent tangles.

43. Cable Management

Cut and mold a cardboard box to store jumbled cables, keeping them in order and easily accessible.

44. Seasonal Accessories Shoe Box

Store scarves, gloves, and hats in a shoe box for seasons.

45. Lunch Box

A cardboard box can be a DIY lunch box to keep meals fresh and safe.

46. Reusable Shopping Bag Holder

Fold your reusable shopping bags and store them in a cardboard box for easy access.

47. Dry Erase Board

A piece of cardboard with white paper or a dry erase surface can be attached to it, and then used as a portable dry erase board.

48. Photo Storage Box

Old photos or prints can be kept safely in a flat, labeled cardboard box to retain memories.

49. Pet Toy Storage

A toy storage box can be created for your pet’s toys to keep their play area neat and organized.

50. Laundry Basket Divider

Use a cardboard box to separate your laundry basket into whites, colors, and delicates.

51. Costume Storage

Store seasonal costumes in a cardboard box for next year’s Halloween or theme parties.

52. Crafting Template

Cut out cardboard box templates to use as patterns for sewing or woodworking projects.

53. Gift Card Organizer

Store gift cards in a small, decorated cardboard box to be safe and easy to locate.

54. Wine Glass Protector

This box can be cut into tiny sections. A number of these can be used to cover and cushion delicate glassware such as wine glasses when moving.

55. DIY Jewelry Box

Cut cardboard box, decorate it, and make a simple jewelry box with rings and necklaces dividers.

56. Chalkboard Organizer

Paint the outside of your box with chalkboard paint. It is an instant chalkboard and writing notes, reminders, or even organizing things become easy.

57.  DIY Garden Trellis

Cut cardboard box into strips and nail them up vertically to serve as an easy trellis for climbing plants.

58. Door Hanger Organizer

Use the small cardboard box to serve as an organizer for keys, hats, gloves hanging by the door.

59. Kitchen Compost Bin

Store kitchen scrap like vegetable peels and coffee grounds in a cardboard box to start composting.

60. Gift Wrapping Station

Use a big box to keep all your gift wrapping supplies like ribbons, wrapping paper, and gift bags.

61.  Puppet Theater

Cut a big cardboard box to make a puppet theater. Decorate it and enjoy interactive play with your kids.

62. Mini Greenhouse

Transform a cardboard box into a small greenhouse for seedlings. In addition, cut holes for ventilation and add a plastic cover.

63. Hanging Wall Art Display

Cut cardboard to unique shapes and paint or decorate to create a unique wall display.

64. Seedling Starter Tray

Cut cardboard into sections of small size to use individually to start seeds for planting in the garden.

65. Shoe Rack

Use boxes, one on top of another, to create an effective shoe rack for holding many pairs of shoes.

66. Clothing Donation Box

Establish a cardboard box for donations and store clothes to donate to the community.

67. File Folder Organizer

Cut a cardboard box into pieces to have your own custom file folder organizers in the office or home workspace.

68. Mini Skateboard Ramp

For kids (or for the young at heart), cut and shape a cardboard box into a mini skateboard ramp for fun, at-home practice.

69. Art Supply Organizer

You can store and organize art supplies like paints, brushes, and pencils in a neat manner by using a cardboard box.

70. Drying Mat for Dishes

Place a cardboard box under your dish rack to catch water and dry dishes without damaging the countertop.

71. Sandbox for Kids

Use a large cardboard box as the base for a small sandbox. Add sand and some toys for endless hours of play.

72. Shipping Box for Small Business

Use boxes to ship out products for your small business. Use packing materials to keep items safe.

73. DIY Light Box for Photography

Turn a cardboard box into a portable lightbox by adding translucent paper and lights for photo taking.

74. Pet Litter Box

Take an old cardboard box, turn it upside down, and use it as a makeshift litter box for your cat or other small animals.

75. Gardening Seedling Tray

Use a box to start seedlings by adding soil and small plants. It’s a low-cost method of growing plants indoors.

76. Scrap Wood Organizer

Keep small pieces of scrap wood or tools in a cardboard box to keep your workshop clean.

77. Outdoor Recycling Bin

Create a simple recycling bin for your outdoor space by using a cardboard box. Mark it for easy sorting.

78. Hobby Craft Bin

Keep hobby supplies like yarn, beads, or knitting supplies in a cardboard box for easy access.

79. Floor Protector During Painting

Before starting a painting project, lay a cardboard box flat on the floor to protect your flooring from spills.

80. Emergency Kit Box

Create a first aid or emergency kit using a small cardboard box. Fill it with bandages, wipes, and other essentials.

81. Coloring Book Storage

Store children’s coloring books and supplies in a decorated cardboard box for easy access and organization.

82. Portable Desk Organizer

Use a cardboard box as a portable desk organizer for stationery, notepads, or other small items.

83. Gift Card Holder

Decorate small cardboard boxes and use them as gift card holders for special occasions.

84. Fishing Tackle Box

Repurpose a cardboard box as a storage solution for fishing tackle, hooks, and other small accessories.

85. Bird Nesting Material

Cut cardboard into strips and place them outside to provide nesting material for birds.

86. Mini Display Stand

Turn a cardboard box into a small display stand to display products, books, or trinkets.

87. Backyard Obstacle Course

Create a fun, safe obstacle course for kids or pets by stacking cardboard boxes and arranging them in all sorts of patterns.

88. Costume Accessory Storage

Store hats, wigs, masks, or other costume accessories in a big box to keep them organized.

89. Personalized Gift Box

Use a simple cardboard box as a base and decorate it with messages or designs to make unique gift packaging.

90. Fridge Organizer

Store jars or small food items in a box inside your refrigerator for better organization.

91. Junk Drawer Organizer

Organize your junk drawer by cutting a cardboard box into compartments for storing random small items.

92. Fire Starter

Shred cardboard to use as a great fire starter when you need to have a fire outside.

93. Tool Box

Use a strong cardboard box to store your general hand tools or gardening gear.

94. Pet Carrier

Make a pet carrier for a short trip or in an emergency by cutting holes into a cardboard box and attaching a flap.

95. Temporary Shoe Box Divider

Cardboard dividers inside a shoe box separate shoes or small items.

96. Closet Shelf Liner

Flattened cardboard boxes can be used as liners in closet shelves to prevent clothes and shoes from slipping.

97. Bicycle Basket

You can attach a cardboard box to your bike frame and create a DIY bicycle basket for carrying small items.

98. Photography Backdrop

Create a simple, clean photography backdrop with a large cardboard box suitable for product or portrait photography.

99. Play Money Safe

Create a homemade piggy bank or money safe for kids by cutting a cardboard box into a fun shape and adding a slot.

100. Laundry Hamper Divider

Use cardboard dividers in a laundry hamper to separate colors from whites or delicates.

101. Camping Storage Box

Use a cardboard box to store camping gear such as utensils, blankets, or small tools to have them ready during your trip.

In The End

 Cardboard boxes are commonly seen as garbage, but with a little imagination, they can be converted into something wonderful. 

We hope our list of 10 uses for a cardboard box has encouraged you to realize the value in these sometimes ignored items. Do you have any more excellent ideas for using cardboard boxes? Please share them with us!