The furniture is built and it looks fantastic. Now there’s just one problem left: a giant stack of cardboard. Before you throw it away, consider this: what if you could use it again? Here are 8 clever ways to give your boxes a second life.
Before you break it down and send it straight to the recycling bin, wait! The packaging from your flat-pack furniture is surprisingly versatile. As a professional who deals with this all the time, I can tell you that these boxes have a second life.
Here are 8 clever uses for those leftover IKEA and JYSK boxes.
1. Protect Your Floors
This is my number one tip. Before you even start assembling, lay a few large pieces of cardboard on your floor. This will prevent scratches and scuffs from sharp tools or heavy furniture parts—and save your furniture from damage, too.
2. Moving & Storage
Cardboard is perfect for moving. You can use the large panels to protect mirrors and artwork, or cut them into custom-sized boxes for packing. The smaller pieces can be used as cushioning to keep delicate items from rattling around. Why buy new boxes when these old ones often do the job perfectly well?
3. Kids’ Playhouse/Fort/Spaceship… you name it!
With a little tape and some imagination, those large boxes can be transformed into a spaceship, a princess’s castle, or a fire truck. This is a classic use of cardboard that will keep kids entertained for hours.
4. A Weed Barrier for Your Garden
If you have a garden, cardboard makes an excellent, chemical-free weed barrier. Lay down a layer of cardboard on the ground, cover it with mulch or soil, and watch your plants thrive while the weeds are kept at bay.
5. Drawer Dividers
Cut cardboard into strips and use them to create dividers for your drawers. This is a simple, cost-effective way to organize socks, underwear, or office supplies.
6. A Pet Scratcher
Cats love scratching cardboard. Roll up a few pieces tightly or stack them together, and you’ve got a free, eco-friendly scratcher that will save your sofa from their claws.
7. Temporary Carpet Protection
Just finished putting in new carpet? Lay a few large sheets of cardboard down in high-traffic areas to protect them from dirt and spills while you finish unpacking and decorating.
8. DIY Art Canvas
The clean, smooth side of cardboard is a great surface for painting or drawing. Cut it into a unique shape for a one-of-a-kind art piece.
Of course, if you want to skip the assembly part and go straight to the creative stuff, I’m here to help. Contact me for a price estimation, and I’ll take care of the heavy lifting and leave you with just the cardboard to get creative with!