35+ Paper Bag Crafts That Are Surprisingly Stylish
Turn ordinary brown bags into beautiful decor, gifts, and organizers with these 35+ paper bag crafts for adults. Easy, creative, and budget-friendly!
Paper bags are the ultimate underdog of the craft world.
Most of us think of them as something to recycle, use for gift wrapping in a pinch, or hand to a kid for a puppet project. But with a little creativity, those plain brown bags can become gorgeous home decor, stylish organizers, unique jewelry, and even faux leather finishes that look far more expensive than they really are.
What I love most about paper bag crafts is that they’re budget-friendly without looking budget-friendly. That’s a pretty rare combination these days. A stack of grocery bags or lunch sacks can be transformed into baskets, wreaths, wall art, flowers, and gifts that people will genuinely ask where you bought them.
And if you’re anything like me, there’s something deeply satisfying about turning an everyday item into something beautiful instead of tossing it into the recycling bin.
Whether you’re looking for farmhouse decor, seasonal projects, organization ideas, or just a creative way to spend an afternoon, these paper bag crafts for adults prove that humble brown bags deserve a lot more credit than they get.
Grab your scissors and get ready to save every grocery bag that comes through your house. You’ve been warned.
Best Paper Bag Crafts Ideas
1
DIY Faux Leather Journal
Learn to craft a DIY faux leather journal cover with paper bags and Mod Podge in this easy, step-by-step guide.
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2
Paper Bag Flowers
These oversized flowers make a stunning wall display and prove that paper bags can be bright and cheery. Customize them with marbled paint and some fun embellishments.
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3
www.popsugar.com
Paper Bag Wreath
If you can cut and twist paper around a wreath form, you can make this brown bag wreath! Embellish with ribbon and accents of your choice.
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4
Paper Bag Wall
Create a rich faux-textured wall treatment using crumpled paper bags and stain. The finished look has incredible depth and resembles aged leather or plaster.
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5
Paper Bag Decoupage Furniture
Give an old piece of furniture a dramatic makeover with torn paper bags and stain. The result looks like hand-tooled leather for a fraction of the cost.
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6
Walter Silva
Faux Leather Frame
Learn how to make a paper bag leather frame using Mod Podge and other basic materials. You can use this treatment on walls and even floors — also included in this list
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7
www.apieceofrainbow.com
Woven Basket
These baskets were made by weaving strips of paper bag. Then they were given a faux leather look using paint and decoupage medium.
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8
www.beadinggem.com
Resin Jewelry
Turn paper gift bags into beautiful jewelry using this resin tutorial. Don't these pendants look amazing? Pearl also shows you how to make earrings and coasters using the bags.
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9
Drawer Organizers
Tame junk drawers, office supplies, and bathroom clutter with these simple drawer organizers made from paper bags. They're a budget-friendly way to create custom-sized compartments that help keep everything neat, organized, and easy to find.
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10
Paper Succulent Centerpiece
These paper succulents add a modern touch to tables, shelves, and mantels. Best of all, they never need watering or sunlight.
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11
Placemats and Coasters
Protect your table while adding rustic charm with placemats and coasters made from recycled bags using simple sewing. They're practical, inexpensive, and surprisingly durable.
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12
Paper Bag Art
Turn simple brown paper into unique artwork for your walls. This project is perfect for adding handmade character to any room. Missy drew a picture of her pet, and she'll show you how to do it too – you don't have to be an artist.
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13
Paper Bag Wallet
This clever wallet folds from a paper bag into a functional accessory complete with pockets for cards and cash. It's a fun conversation starter too.
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14
chloemoorephotography.blogspot.com
Book Coverings
Bookshelves can look busy. Solve this problem by going back to your school days and covering the books with paper bags!
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15
Brown Bag Table Runner
Dress up your dining table with a casual table runner that works for everyday meals, holidays, and parties. Dress it up further with stamps, lettering, or seasonal designs.
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16
www.diybeautify.com
Faux Magnolia Wreath
This copper colored magnolia leaf homemade wreath is perfect for a fall decoration. I can't believe it was made using paper bags and paint!
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17
Paper Bag Floors
Similar to the leather look frame from earlier, these floors are made by ripping up grocery paper bags! It also looks great to simulate wood — like this faux wood plank floor.
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18
Paper Bag Garland
Cut out large shapes (in this case, leaves) to create a beautiful garland! This would look great on a mantel, and there's nothing cheap looking about it.
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19
Paper Bag Luminaries
Create a cozy glow with decorative luminaries cut from paper bags. They're perfect for parties, holidays, or adding ambiance to your patio.
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20
www.somewhatsimple.com
Cute Planters
You wouldn't think that paper bags could make cute planters, but they do! Crumpled bags with twine and ribbon are a huge improvement over the plastic store containers.
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21
www.apieceofrainbow.com
Pendant Light
Use a paper grocery bag to make an origami lampshade. This one was added to a rustic lamp base, but you could also hang it from the ceiling as a light fixture.
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22
Favor Bags
These DIY favor bags shaped like houses are an easy way to package treats up for party goers. Dress them up with stamps, ribbon, tags, or embellishments.
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23
www.mom4real.com
Picnic Utensil Holders
I love a dual purpose DIY. Use lunch bags and washi tape to make these utensil holders. When you are finished eating, just throw your trash in the bag!
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24
Paper Bag Roses
These beautiful roses look much more complicated than they are! Use these dyed blooms in wreaths, centerpieces, gift toppers, or floral arrangements.
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25
Laura | mobilehome_cottage
Rustic Vase
Wrap an ordinary container with twisted paper bag strips to create a rustic vase with lots of texture and farmhouse charm.
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26
www.thegunnysack.com
Brown Bag Envelopes
This is a great idea for those of you who may have an Etsy store. Turn your paper bags into envelopes!
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27
www.thecraftpatchblog.com
Origami Heart Baskets
Cut out a square from your paper bag and fold it into a much cuter heart-shaped basket! A bit of origami and some twine is all you need.
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28
Easter Bunnies
These adorable Easter bunny bags have the most darling ears! They're easy to personalize and add a handmade touch to Easter baskets, classroom treats, and spring celebrations.
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29
whitegunpowder.com
Bird’s Nests
These little brown bag bird's nests would look great as part of an Easter place setting! The Jelly Belly jellybeans are perfect as eggs, don't you think?
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30
www.blessingsbyme.com
Decorative Carrots
Looking for a rustic farmhouse decoration for spring or Easter? These DIY paper bag carrots are perfect!
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31
Brown Bag Leaves
Bring the beauty of nature indoors with these realistic brown bag leaves. They're inexpensive to make and perfect for wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, and seasonal fall decorating.
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32
www.vintagepaintandmore.com
Pumpkin Decor
Use lunch bags to make a rustic pumpkin decoration. This is super easy and looks great!
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33
karinskottage.com
Witch Hat
I can't believe that this witch's hat is made using paper bags! Use this as a cool Halloween decoration.
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34
Paper Bag Place Cards
Add rustic charm to your next gathering with paper bag place cards. They're an inexpensive way to create personalized table settings for weddings, holiday dinners, brunches, and special occasions.
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35
craftingmyhome.com
Thanksgiving Napkin Rings
Use your favorite cutting machine to cut words out of cut up paper bags. Use 'thankful' for Thanksgiving, or you could use names and they double as place cards!
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36
Steve Carrell
Brown Bag Ornaments
Make these EASY brown paper bag Christmas ornaments in minutes with some basic craft supplies! These look so unique on your Christmas tree.
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37
www.compostandcava.com
3D Wrapping Paper
Reese turned her Ann Taylor LOFT shopping bag into fun gift wrap. She used cutout tree shapes to make it 3D.
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38
Wine Bags
Skip the store-bought gift wrap and make your own paper bag wine bags instead. They're easy to customize for hostess gifts, birthdays, and special occasions while adding a thoughtful handmade touch.
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39
Paper Bag Snowflakes
Learn how to make large snowflakes out of lunch bags! These are easy, inexpensive, and can be used for holiday or winter decor.
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Did you like these ideas? I’d love it if you could share this post using the buttons below. Then take a look at these other adult crafts:
Cardboard • Chalkboard • Clay • Clothespins • Cottagecore • Driftwood • Fabric • Fashion • Felt • Map • Neckties • Newspaper • Pom Poms • Recycled • Scrabble Tiles • Sharpies • Sprinkles • Tassels • Wine Corks
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