We love to add little pieces of flare and detail to our home, but going out to most retailers will offer a wide variety of trendy knick-knacks, but it is all too easy to blow through a budget. As far as design trends go, metallic accessories are all the rage, but they can get a little pricey. We’ve got a way to achieve the same goal at a minimum of the cost. All you’ll need is metallic contact paper, cardboard, and scissors to achieve the latest trend in home decor.

We grabbed a bit of cardboard from a package delivery, some metallic contact paper, and a pair of scissors. In a matter of minutes, we were able to create a super fun container. We use the container to disguise plastic planters. Jazz up a bookshelf with a few small plants, like succulents or small flowers; keep a mini-herb garden in your kitchen, with basil, chives, or rosemary. We love how cool this looks at a fraction of the cost that a similar product would be at our favorite home design store.

Supplies

  • Cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Metallic contact paper
  • Small plants or succulents

Directions

  1. Measure the diameter of the widest part of your plant, which is most likely the very top of the plastic container it came in. Then, measure the height as well.
  2. Measure a piece of cardboard to the length of your diameter in step one and roughly the same height as what you measured in the previous step. Cut out.
  3. Roll out a sheet of contact paper and place your cut out cardboard on top, leaving at least 3/4 of an inch all the way around before cutting the contact paper to size, as shown in photo.
  4. Next, score the cardboard every 1-2 inches with a pair of scissors or a craft knife. This will create the various sides of your faux copper planter. *There are five sides to a pentagon and 6 sides to a hexagon, so score your cardboard accordingly.
  5. Remove the paper backing from the contact paper and place the cardboard down slowly (centered so that there is excess contact paper on all sides), one scored increment at a time, bending and pulling up the pieces that have been attached to the contact paper as you go. This will help avoid bubbles and bumps that have to be smoothed out later.
  6. Cut slits in the contact paper at each score mark, on all sides. Then, one by one tightly pull each flap over and secure to the back. (Video Editor: FYI, we did not do this specific step)
  7. Secure the ends in the same way, before folding the faux planter up and joining the two ends with another piece of contact paper.
  8. Cut and tuck in excess from either side the same way you did in step six. Then, add your plants and you’re done!