Have you ever received a cardboard package so cute that you just couldn’t bring yourself to throw it away? I’ve found myself saving a few cardboard boxes from my GreenStalk Garden purchases for just that reason. Typically, these charming designs are used for some of the extra add-ons from GreenStalk, like covers or watering systems. Maybe you have a cardboard box you’ve saved because the design was too adorable to part with? Well, today I’m going to show you how to repurpose one of those boxes into a beautiful mat for your favorite photos!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I recently became an affiliate with GreenStalk because I absolutely love their products. You can always use my code AMBER10 to get $10 off a purchase of $75 or more. I do earn a small commission if you use this code. Just to be clear, I’ve purchased most of my planters and accessories with my own money. If you’re curious, you can also check out my full review of GreenStalk products here.

– Cardboard box
– Pencil
– Ruler
– Scissors
– Utility knife
– Cutting board
– Your favorite photo
– Glue
– Picture frame (optional)
– Masking tape (optional)

Now, let’s dive into the tutorial! I’ll walk you through easy, medium, and advanced methods to create your own cardboard photo mat.

Step A: Start by deciding on the size you want your cardboard mat to be. If you’re planning to frame it, make sure it will fit inside your frame. If you’re using a design on the cardboard like I did, find the best area for placement and trace your chosen size with a pencil.

Step B: Cut out the area you traced using a thick pair of scissors. If your scissors can’t handle the thickness of the cardboard, switch to a utility knife.

After completing Steps A & B, simply glue your photo in the center of the cut-out mat. You can then place it inside a frame if you like.

After completing Steps A & B, you might find the cardboard is too thick for your frame. If so, gently peel away the corrugated layers from the back, removing small sections at a time.

Next, measure your photo and subtract 1/2 inch from each side. Use these measurements to trace a smaller rectangle in the center of your mat. You can use a template here if you wish. Carefully cut along these lines with scissors.

Finally, secure your photo to the back of the mat using masking tape. You can now place your mat in a frame if you wish.

This method creates a 3D effect, making your mat look more like a traditional photo mat. After completing Steps A & B, measure your photo and subtract 1/2 inch from each side. Trace these measurements in the center of your mat.

Place your cardboard on a cutting board, and using a ruler and utility knife, carefully cut along the pencil lines. Keep the ruler on the line as you cut to ensure straight edges. Since the cardboard is thick, you may need to run the utility knife over the lines several times. Be cautious during this step, as utility knives are very sharp.

Once you’ve removed the center piece, you can optionally add masking tape around the edges to hide any uneven cuts and cover the corrugated look. Cut small pieces of tape to fit each edge, and for a more polished finish, cut the tape at a slight angle to create neat corners.

Secure your photo to the back of the mat using masking tape. For an extra touch of creativity, you could even reuse the packaging tape that came with your box!

After completing these steps, you can decide whether to put the mat in a frame or attach some string to hang it as is. Personally, I love the look of multiple mats hung without frames.

I hope you found this upcycling project fun and useful! It’s a great way to personalize a photo for yourself or as a gift. I’m planning to give one of these to my mom—she’s the one in the photo with me. She’s also getting a brand-new GreenStalk for her new home, and I can’t wait to help her set it up! 😊

If you try this project, I’d love to see your results. Happy upcycling!