9 Clever Ways To Reuse Cardboard Moving Boxes

After moving into a new house, you'll be tripping over empty boxes scattered all over the floor unless you dispose of them, give them away or figure out some ways to reuse them. There are so many ways to reuse these boxes, but you need to think outside the box a bit (pun intended). To get your creative juices flowing, take a look at these nine clever ways to reuse your empty cardboard moving cartons.

1. Composting

Corrugated cardboard boxes are biodegradable, so they can be cut up and added to a compost pile as brown matter.

2. Cube Storage Bins

Cube storage shelves have become very popular in recent years, but the cost of all those individual baskets or bins can really add up. Instead, cover several small or medium-sized boxes with craft paper or paint to make your own storage bins.

3. Garage Floor Protection

Break down and flatten extra moving boxes so you have instant garage floor protectors for paint cans and messy containers of household chemicals that are stored in your garage or basement.

4. Poster Board Backing

Kids are always using flimsy poster board for science fairs and classroom projects. Flatten the boxes and cut them down to size as a durable backing for posters.

5. Surface Mat for Art Projects

If your kids enjoy sitting at the dining room table or on your hardwood floor to paint, color or work on art projects, these flattened boxes are an excellent way to protect the wood from scratches, dings and ink stains.

6. Box Fort or Spaceship

Large wardrobe boxes used by most moving companies are perfectly sized for kids to use as a box fort or spaceship. They'll stay busy for hours building and playing with their box creations.

7. Mini-Tree Storage

There are countless ways to reuse wardrobe-sized moving boxes. Because of their size and shape, they can be used to store and protect mini Christmas trees that are too long for standard-sized boxes.

8. Puzzles for Kids

Are you looking for a good rainy day project to keep the kids busy for hours? Ask them to draw or paint a picture on a piece of flattened cardboard then cut it into fun-shaped pieces to create a DIY puzzle.

9. Storage for Small Breakables

Double-walled dish saver boxes used by professional moving companies, like Francis Movers Company, are excellent for storing fragile stemware and collectibles. These boxes have interior dividers to separate the items and the rugged construction doesn't crush easily.

Keep in mind the boxes will hold up better if you don't tear off the packing tape because the cardboard fibers become shredded.  Instead, use a sharp blade to slice each piece of tape before breaking down and flattening your moving boxes.