I’m unabashedly frugal—always looking for ways to save and reuse. Over time I collected a surprising number of cardboard paper rolls (you know, the ones from paper towels and wrapping paper). I couldn’t bring myself to toss them, because with a little imagination they become lovely, budget-friendly décor. I’ve made pieces like a bold paper-roll heart and bracelet holders, and when my collection outgrew its storage space, I decided it was time for a new project. This post shares that project and my slightly irrational obsession with paper rolls.
My living room is long and narrow, and one end is a full sliding glass door instead of a solid wall. When I first moved in I installed a ceiling-mounted curtain rod over the door, but I eventually removed the floor-to-ceiling curtains because they made the room feel even narrower. The curtain rod brackets, however, remained in place above where the curtains used to hang. They looked awkward—little metal thumbs sticking out—and my husband insisted they stay put for now.
I tried painting the brackets to match the wall color to make them less noticeable, but that experiment was an epic fail—the paint only emphasized the brackets instead of hiding them.
That’s when the paper rolls came to mind. Last winter I made a simple twine garland from several paper rolls and displayed it on my wall unit. I liked the texture and warmth it added, so I decided to try something similar over the sliding door, using the rolls to disguise the unused brackets and add a decorative element across the top of the opening.
I moved the garland up above the door and continued adding painted and decorated paper rolls along a length of twine. The result was a long, rustic garland that stretched across the brackets and softened their appearance. I pushed the idea as far as I could and filled the garland to the maximum with rolls arranged closely together for a fuller look.
I still had a few rolls left and an unsightly central bracket to cover, so I crafted a wreath from the remaining pieces. The wreath added a focal point that helped disguise the middle bracket and balanced the design across the doorway.
Together, the garland and wreath transformed those bare, awkward brackets into a cohesive decorative statement. From a distance it reads as a deliberate, artsy accent rather than leftover hardware. Up close you can see the texture and handmade detail: paper rolls combined with twine and small natural twigs for contrast.
I also tested how the display looked at night. The evening photos aren’t gallery-quality, but they show how the length of the sliding door is framed by the garland and wreath. The handmade elements cast soft shadows and make the top edge of the room feel intentionally styled.
Truth time: I’m not in love with the wall color. I bought the paint expecting a beachy sand tone, but in the evening light it reads as a dull pink. On bright afternoons the color shifts again—definitely another project for this summer. Still, the paper roll installation adds personality and helps distract from paint quirks until I tackle the walls.
So, is it an epic fail or a clever upcycle? I need your honest opinion. Can this be embraced as artsy and rustic, or should I dismantle it and look for another solution? Either way, repurposing those paper rolls feels like a small win for creativity and sustainability—turning waste into decorative value. If you’re collecting paper rolls for future crafts, this kind of garland and wreath combination is an easy, low-cost option to experiment with and adapt to your own space.
If you enjoy upcycling and simple DIY décor, try this: paint or wrap your paper rolls, thread them on twine for a garland, and use extra pieces to form a wreath. Add natural accents like twigs or dried flowers and hang the arrangement where brackets or other hardware need softening. It’s a budget-friendly way to personalize a room and give single-use materials a second life.
If you like this idea, feel free to share it or save it for later inspiration. If you want more simple DIY and upcycling projects, subscribe to my blog to receive new posts twice a week. I read every comment and appreciate your feedback—tell me what you think: rustic charm or time to toss it?
You may also enjoy these projects:
The Big, Bold Heart
The Roasted Christmas Tree
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read the full disclaimer on the original site. I love getting your comments and reply to each one.