Cardboard craft ideas to make your space feel like you

When you’re constantly juggling work emails, over-flowing laundry piles, and everything in between, it’s easy to put your own space – and your own peace – at the bottom of the to-do-list. That’s where these beautiful cardboard crafts for adults come in. Simple, and calming, these projects are perfect for those (rare!) slow afternoons when you just want to switch off for a while.

You don’t need fancy tools or hours of energy. Just a few rolls of toilet paper, a splash of paint, and some well-deserved time to yourself. And the best part? You don’t even need to leave the house. These cardboard art ideas are all about working with what you’ve already got, and giving yourself permission to enjoy the process, because sometimes a little creative escape is exactly what you need. 

3D wall art cardboard craft | Flower garland cardboard tube crafts

3D wall art cardboard craft

The first of our cardboard craft ideas is a playful geometric wall decoration, for a polished and sophisticated look once it’s finished. Using a simple template, you can turn empty tissue boxes into pyramid shapes, paint them in your favourite colours, and arrange them into a striking piece of art.

It’s the kind of project that’ll have guests asking, “Wait, you made that?” And the best part? No noisy power tools or last-minute trips to the hardware shop, just a quiet afternoon at home, carving out a little time for yourself after a morning spent clearing up breakfast crumbs, helping with homework, or powering through your inbox (again). This is your moment to pause, create, and enjoy a bit of calm. 

Takes about 3 hours

1. Carefully cut open the empty tissue boxes and flatten. Draw around the pyramid template and cut out. Then score along the dotted lines, fold, and assemble, applying glue to the tabs to stick them in place. Repeat to make 9 more pyramids.
2. Paint the sides of the pyramids in a pastel paint shade of your choice, then leave to dry. Using a different colour for each side can create some pretty cool effects, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
3. Take the large sheet of card and arrange your painted pyramids in a pattern. When you are happy with the design, glue each in place, side by side. Allow to dry.
4. Carefully cut around the outside of the pyramids with a craft knife to reveal the final shape. Now it is ready to place on the wall – we recommend using velcro picture hanging strips or similar.

Flower garland cardboard art

Ever feel like a bouquet of roses – fresh and fabulous one day, then slumped and wilting the next? We get it. That’s why making your own paper flowers is pure magic: no droop, no wilt, just beauty that lasts as long as you want it to. These art and craft ideas with cardboard turn humble toilet roll tubes into beautiful blooms, and bring a little floral joy to your walls, without ever leaving the house.

Takes about 2 hours

1. Flatten the toilet roll tubes and measure out 1cm wide strips. Cut these into petal shapes. 
2. Paint the petals inside and out with soft pastel shades – this whole step can feel surprisingly calming after the busyness of daily life. While you wait for them to dry, it’s the perfect moment for a cup of tea (and maybe a biscuit or two – you deserve it). If you encounter any paint spillages, just use a little moistened toilet paper to wipe it away while you wait for the petals to dry! 
3. Take five petals and arrange them into a flower shape. Stick the petals side by side with glue, and allow to dry. Repeat these steps until you have your desired number of flowers (or until you have used all the empty toilet roll tubes!).
4. Arrange the flowers in any way you like, before gluing them side by side, and leaving them to dry. Once they’re dry, stick them to the wall using blue tack (but make sure you test it on a small, hidden area of the wall first to ensure it won’t mark the paint or wallpaper!).

We hope you found a spark of joy in these cardboard arts and crafts projects. And if your space feels a little brighter now, even better! 

But if you're still feeling that itch to unwind or just need to keep the kids busy while you sneak off for five minutes of peace, we’ve got more ideas just like this in our craft articles. Simple, satisfying, and made for the moments when you want to do something lovely – just for you.