Corks: They’re easy to accumulate and just as easy to throw out. But if saved and repurposed, corks can add a classy, cultured look to any area. They’ll give your whole house the wine connoisseur look. Corks are also surprisingly versatile. They can be glued to almost anything, they’re made of a pliable material that is easy to work with and they can be fashioned into almost any image. Below are some of the most creative ideas for upcycling corks.
1. Cork Stamps
If you have a steady hand and some old corks, here’s a fun little project for some upcycled stamps. These were fashioned using a crafter’s knife. You can find the full tutorial at Upcycle That.
2. Cork Planters
Also from Upcycle That, this is a clever idea for displaying small succulents. These corks were hallowed out with a screwdriver and paring knife. Magnets were hot glued to the back, making these easy to display. You can find the full project with photos here.
3. Cork Wreath
Here’s a clever idea for an afternoon project. The scattered cork pattern gives the piece an artsy look, and the painted corks give it a nice splash of color. It was made with FolkArt Paint and glued together with hot glue. You can find the full tutorial at cathiefilian.blogspot.com.
4. Cork Flower Vase
This cute piece combines a love for fine wine and nature. The vase in the picture above was made out of about 70 corks and was shaped around a glass vase. You can see the full project with photos at Design Improvised.
5. Wine Cork Dresser
This project really shows the full versatility of corks. It’s a great theme for a home bar. The corks were attached with liquid nails (hot glue won’t stick too well). You can see the full details at Decorating Obsessed.
6. Wine Cork Sculpture
The sky’s the limit with corks, as this project shows. If you can imagine it, you can make a cork sculpture of it. This cute animal sculpture would look great in a kid’s room or any other room with an animal theme. You can see the full project details with photos at lilblueboo.com. The base was made out of wire and newspaper, so it’s not as intimidating as it looks to create.
7. Cork Canapé Knives
This would look cute as a serving item at any classy dinner party serving wine. These were made by taking apart some small knives and adding on the cork as the handle. You can see the full tutorial at Yarni Gras.
8. Wine Cork Dog Leash
Here’s a fun craft that gets your fury friend involved. This was made by adding washers and hooks to some corks for stringing them together. You can see the full project with photos at Olive Bites Blog.
9. Cork Heart Wreath
Here’s a cute addition to any front door. This was featured at Happiness is Homemade and was put together with some corks and a hot glue gun.
10. Cork Picture Frame
How cute would this look with a picture of you enjoying some wine with some friends? It was handmade with upcycled and hand cut wine corks. You can find it at etsy, made by LiteraryCork.
11. Cork Key Chains
This would make a cute, small gift to someone, maybe as an added item in a gift basket or attached to a wrapped gift. The cute designs add to the fun. These were made by LucysLamppost over at etsy.
12. Cork Magnets
Also from LucysLamppost at etsy, these cute magnets are a great idea for any fridge. They’d also look great in a home bar area.
13. Cork Trivet
This would be a cute addition to any wine tasting party. It was made from 50 plus corks by rewinechic at etsy. Cork is the perfect material for protecting the table from hot dishes.
14. Wire Cork Trivet
Here’s another trivet design made from old wine corks. It’s handmade and held together by wire. This would be a cute way to display planters, as in the picture. Otherwise, this would be another great addition to a dinner party. It was made by V3GG13 at etsy.
15. Cork Letter Monogram
This is a cute way to use old corks that would look great in a home bar area or in the kitchen. These corks have been fixed together with industrial strength glue and attached to a wooden letterform. This one was made by CinnamonandSilver at etsy.
16. Cork Planters
Here’s another design for cork planters. These would look great as part of a basic table display. You can find them at etsy, made by PattiesPassion. It’s a good option if you don’t have time to make your own, especially since they come with the plants.
17. Cork Plant Markers
This idea is great for any wine and gardening enthusiast. These were made by BackporchHerbs at etsy. They come plain so you can write your own label, or you can order them customized. Like the listing says, they’d be great in the garden or as part of a table centerpiece.
18. Cork Heart
Here’s another cute cork heart design. This one makes good use of red-tipped wine corks for the design. It was made by jamiebrophy17 at etsy.
19. Cork Letter
This is a classy way to display used corks. The combined cork patterns make a classy, attractive design. This was made from recycled corks, of course, by AnchoredSoulCompany at etsy.
20. Mirror Cork Frame
Here’s a creative use for old corks and a mirror. This basic, versatile design would look great hanging in any room. It was made by AnnMarieLarsonCRAFTS at etsy.
21. Cork Birdhouse
This adorable birdhouse really shows the artistic potential with corks. The cut cork shingles are a wonderful touch. You can find it from KVKBcorked at etsy.
22. Monogram Letters
Here’s another great incarnation of cork letters. This bar sign would look great over a home bar next to a wine display, though the letters can be customized. They were made by PaperCraneWishes at etsy.
