Upcycle Extra Coffee Mugs Into Adorable Decor To Welcome Summer With An Easy DIY

This just in! Summer is right around the corner, which means it's time to bring out the bright, colorful, and playful decorations. Or, in this case, DIY them. There are myriads of common household items you can repurpose into unique DIY home décor. Coffee mugs are chief among them — and are especially fitting for the warmer months, considering they make quirky flower pots.

The idea is simple: Dig out those mugs you no longer use. Grab a pair of flip-flops (or more if you'd like to make multiple), some multi-surface paint, a hot glue gun, and your favorite summer flowers. You can also set aside a few planks of wood to create a backdrop for your coffee-mug-turned-flower-pot display. Lean it against a wall or hang it. Keep it indoors or show it off outside. Either way, it makes a stylish summer decor idea that can be easily swapped out after the season. But the best part? It's super easy to recreate.

The first step is to paint your mugs. You'll obviously want the paint to stick, so be sure to choose a product that's suitable for glass/porcelain. But hey, we're here to help! If a shiny, smooth finish is what you're after, pick up an all-in-one primer and spray paint, like the Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover Spray Paint for $5.98. The primer will help the paint cling to the mug's slippery surface better, though it does best on unglazed ceramic. Prefer a textured effect? Chalk paint, like the $8.80 FolkArt Home Décor Chalk Furniture & Craft Paint, is for you. No priming is required for this one. Or, if you're working with clear cups, look no further than the semi-transparent, Krylon Sea Glass Aqua Spray Paint for $17.91 to get the ultimate beachy vibes.

If it wasn't already obvious, this DIY provides the perfect opportunity to use bold colors in your home. Think summer hues like pink, blue, orange, and yellow. You can even play around with different color combinations for an eclectic look. 

The next step is to assemble everything. The sandals' Y-shaped straps will serve as the stage for your freshly painted mugs. Insert the mug's handle through one strap, glue the back of the cup to the flip-flop before repeating for the other piece. From there, you can screw the flip-flops to a wooden board or mount them directly to your walls. Then, finish off the display with fresh blooms (and water) or fake flowers if you want them to last all throughout summer.