Coffee Filter Crafts: 14 Pretty Projects That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are

Coffee filter crafts are having a big moment, and once you see what a pack of plain paper filters can become, you will never look at your kitchen drawer the same way again. They are soft, ruffly, cheap and they soak up color beautifully. A few hundred filters cost just a few dollars, yet they turn into wreaths that look like they came from a boutique, flowers that fool guests, and snowflakes that make windows sparkle. Most of these projects need only filters, a little paint or marker, glue and an evening. Gather your supplies, put the kettle on, and let the ruffles begin..

A Ruffled Wreath That Starts Every Coffee Filter Crafts Collection

This is the project that makes people stop and stare. Hundreds of ruffled filters pressed onto a foam wreath look just like soft peony petals. In white and blush on a pale blue door, it looks like something from a designer shop. A savvy DIYer story about this kind of decor was even spotted on the Yahoo Home feed this week. Would you hang yours on the front door or above the bed..

You will need: A 14 inch foam wreath form, 300 to 400 coffee filters, a pencil with an eraser, white glue or a low temp glue gun (adult help), watercolor for dyeing some filters blush.

How to make it: 1. Dye a third of the filters with watered down pink watercolor and let them dry. 2. Wrap one filter around the pencil eraser, dip it in glue and press it into the foam. 3. Repeat, packing them tightly and mixing colors until the form is covered.

Start With Plain Filters and Easy Dye

Flat bottom and cone filters both work, and both take color beautifully. Mix watercolor paint or food coloring with water, then dip the edges or spray the filters and let them dry flat. The color bleeds into soft gradients that look like real petals. This one step makes all coffee filter crafts look more expensive. What colors will you mix first?

You will need: A pack of white coffee filters, watercolor paints or food coloring, small bowls, a spray bottle, paper towels.

How to make it: 1. Mix colors with water in small bowls. 2. Dip the edges or the whole filter, or spray it lightly. 3. Lay the filters flat on paper towels until fully dry.

Watercolor Roses, the Classic Coffee Filter Crafts Flower

Rolled filters make surprisingly real looking roses, the first project most people try in coffee filter crafts. Dye them soft pink, peach or lavender, then roll and pinch them around a wire stem. A small bunch in a white vase brightens a windowsill all winter. Nobody will guess they started in your kitchen drawer. Which colors would match your room?

You will need: Dyed coffee filters, floral wire, green floral tape, green paper for leaves, a glue gun (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Fold a filter in half twice and cut a scalloped edge. 2. Roll it loosely around the tip of the wire, pinching at the base. 3. Wrap the base with floral tape and add paper leaves.

Coffee Filter Crafts Peony Bouquet

Peonies are the most expensive flowers at the florist, but these cost pennies. Stack ten or more dyed filters, fold them like a fan, tie the center and fluff each layer. They look lush and full in a glass jar on the table. Mix blush, cream and coral for a romantic bouquet. Would you make a bouquet as a gift?

You will need: Dyed coffee filters, floral wire, green tape, scissors, a glass jar.

How to make it: 1. Stack 10 to 12 filters and fold them back and forth like a fan. 2. Twist wire around the middle. 3. Gently pull up each layer to form a full flower and attach a stem.

Coffee Filter Snowflakes for Windows

Filters are already round and thin, which makes them perfect for snowflakes. Fold one into a wedge, snip shapes, and open it up for a lacy flake. Tape a dozen to a window for a winter wonderland that lasts all season. It is one of the coffee filter crafts kids love most, perfect for a snowy afternoon. How many different designs can you cut?

You will need: White coffee filters, small sharp scissors, removable tape.

How to make it: 1. Fold a filter in half, then into thirds. 2. Cut small triangles, curves and notches along the edges. 3. Unfold, press flat under a book, and tape to the window.

Go Giant for a Party Ceiling

Big paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling make any room feel magical, as this giant hanging flake shows. Glue several coffee filter snowflakes together into one large design, or layer them in a starburst. Hang them at different heights with fishing line for a party or a winter dinner. Where would you hang yours?

You will need: Many cut coffee filter snowflakes, white glue, clear fishing line, tape or ceiling hooks.

How to make it: 1. Glue six snowflakes in a ring with a seventh in the middle. 2. Let dry flat under a book. 3. Hang with fishing line from ceiling hooks.

Coffee Filter Crafts Angel Ornaments

Ruffled coffee filters make the sweetest angel dresses. Fold one into a cone, add a second as wings, and top it with a wooden bead and a little gold halo. Hang them on the tree or line them up on a shelf. They are light and safe, and kids can help make them. Who will you give an angel to this year?

You will need: Coffee filters, wooden beads, gold pipe cleaners, glue, thread.

How to make it: 1. Fold a filter into a cone for the dress and glue the seam. 2. Pinch a second filter in the middle for wings and glue it to the back. 3. Glue a bead on top and add a small gold halo.

Coffee Filter Poinsettias

Dye filters bright red and green and you have festive poinsettias that never drop leaves. Cut the filters into petal shapes, layer them, and add gold beads in the center. Scatter them along a table runner or tuck them into a wreath. These coffee filter crafts look stunning on a holiday table. Will you make red, white or both?

You will need: Coffee filters dyed red and green, scissors, gold beads, glue, wire.

How to make it: 1. Cut petal shapes from red filters and leaf shapes from green ones. 2. Layer the petals in a star pattern and glue the centers. 3. Glue gold beads in the middle and add leaves underneath.

Mini Coffee Filter Christmas Trees

Little cone trees covered in ruffled filters look like they belong in a fancy boutique window. Glue filters in rows around a paper or foam cone, starting at the bottom. A tiny gold star on top finishes the look. Make three different heights and group them on a mantel or console. Which color would you choose for your forest?

You will need: Foam or paper cones, coffee filters, a glue gun (adult help), gold star toppers.

How to make it: 1. Fold filters in half twice and cut the bottom flat. 2. Glue them in rows around the cone, overlapping each row. 3. Add a small star on top.

Ombre Coffee Filter Garland

An ombre garland moves from deep pink to pale blush to white, and it looks so pretty draped across a shelf or mantel. Dye batches in three shades, make simple rosettes, and string them in order. It works for Christmas, birthdays or a baby shower. These coffee filter crafts are easy to change with the seasons. Which colors will your garland fade through?

You will need: Coffee filters dyed in three shades, a needle and strong thread, glue.

How to make it: 1. Pinch each filter in the center to make a rosette and glue it. 2. Thread the rosettes onto the string from darkest to lightest. 3. Fluff each one and hang the garland.

Fluffy Flower Gift Toppers

Skip store bought bows this year. A fluffy coffee filter flower on top of a gift wrapped in plain kraft paper looks elegant and personal. Dye them in blush, gold or white to match your theme. They also make a pretty keepsake. For more beautiful wrapping, try our gift wrapping tricks. Whose present will get the first flower?

You will need: Dyed coffee filters, twine, glue, kraft paper, sprigs of greenery.

How to make it: 1. Stack 6 filters, fold like a fan and tie the middle. 2. Fluff the layers into a flower. 3. Glue it on top of the wrapped gift with twine and greenery.

Tie Dye Butterflies for Kids

Kids love watching the colors bleed, which makes this one of the best coffee filter crafts for little hands. Draw on a filter with washable markers, spray it with water and watch it turn into tie dye. Pinch the middle with a clothespin and you have a butterfly. They look gorgeous hanging in a window or on a mobile. Which colors will your kids pick?

You will need: Coffee filters, washable markers, a spray bottle, wooden clothespins, pipe cleaners.

How to make it: 1. Color the filter with markers. 2. Spray lightly with water and let dry. 3. Pinch the middle into a clothespin and add pipe cleaner antennae.

Layered Flower Wall Art From Coffee Filter Crafts

A framed panel covered with ruffled filter flowers looks like a luxury flower wall. Glue rosettes edge to edge on a board, then frame it above a bed or sofa. In white and blush, it brings soft texture and calm to a room. It is a big project, but it costs very little. Where would you hang a flower wall?

You will need: A large canvas or foam board, a simple frame, many coffee filter rosettes, a glue gun (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Make about 100 rosettes in two or three shades. 2. Glue them tightly onto the board in rows, mixing colors. 3. Frame it and hang with sturdy hooks.

Party Pom Pom Flower Bunches

Big fluffy paper flower bunches like these make any party table or doorway feel festive. Dye coffee filters in bright pinks and tie them together for quick pom poms. Hang them on ribbon as bunting or cluster them in the corner of a room. These coffee filter crafts take minutes and look joyful. What party will you decorate first?

You will need: Bright dyed coffee filters, ribbon, floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Stack 8 filters, fold like a fan and wire the middle. 2. Fluff into a round pom pom. 3. Tie several onto a long ribbon to make bunting.