Are you tired of losing your pens and pencils all over your desk? Say goodbye to the clutter with these fantastic DIY pencil holder and pen pot ideas!
Unleash your creativity and make your pencil holders that are not only functional but also fun and stylish. DIY pencil organizers also make fun homemade gift ideas for teachers, fathers and mums.
From repurposing tin cans with a fresh coat of paint and cute decorations to using cardboard tubes for a unique and eco-friendly option or adding a touch of rustic charm with decoupaged mason jars– the possibilities are endless!
What Can You Use To Make A Pencil Holder
You can use many materials to make pencil and pen pots, depending on your preference and creativity. Here are some ideas:
- Tin cans: Empty tin cans, such as soup or coffee cans.
- Cardboard tubes: Tubes from paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls can be cut to your desired height and covered with decorative materials.
- Mason jars or glass jars.
- Wood: If you’re handy with woodworking, you can create your pencil holder from wood.
- Clay or polymer clay: For a more artistic approach, you can sculpt a pen pot using clay or polymer clay.
- Recycled materials: Get creative with recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, milk cartons, and old plant pots.
- Fabric – such as denim and stiffened cotton- sew a portable pencil organizer.
You can turn these items into unique and functional pencil holders with a bit of imagination and some essential crafting supplies.
Remember, the key to a successful DIY pencil holder is to let your creativity shine and make it reflect your style. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials and techniques to create a unique pencil holder!
DIY Pencil Holder & Pen Organizer Ideas
Grab your paintbrush, scissors, and some decorative materials. Let your imagination run wild as you transform ordinary objects into personalized pencil holders and pen pots that add flair to your workspace. Get inspired and create the perfect pencil holder that reflects your unique style and keeps your writing utensils organized!
How To Make A Gorgeous Leather Pen/pencil Pot
Add a splash of colour and style to your desk with these leather pen pots. They are made from an old faux leather handbag and upcycled tin cans.
Wooden Hedgehog Pencil Holder {Handmade Gift}
What a fantastic idea, making hedgehog spines out of coloured pencils. This would make a lovely handmade gift idea too!
Easy DIY Modern Pencil Holder
If you want a DIY pencil holder with clean lines and a modern look, this wood and plexiglass pen and pencil caddy is just the ticket!
Stylish DIY Desk Caddy
Besides its stylish looks, one of the best things about this stationary organizer is how portable it is. And it's just made from upcycled junk.
Rainbow Fruit Mason Jar Pen Organizers
Brighten up your desk with these cute fruit mason jar pencil holders. I love the fact that each fruit has a cheeky face. The Kiwi with the moustache is my favourite. You don't have to use mason jars, but you could use upcycled food jars of a similar size.
Rustic Pen Holder
The maker of this rustic pen holder thinks it looks a bit like a birthday cake with candles when filled with coloured pens. I'm not sure about that, but I know it's probably one of my favourite DIY pen holders in this collection.
How To Make Hanging Pockets From Old Jeans
Sometimes it's more convenient to have a hanging pen holder than one on the desk. These upcycled jeans pockets are perfect for holding pens and pencils; you can hang them from your peg board.
Marimekko Desk Organizer
Use wallpaper samples to make designer pen pots for your home office. These are made with Marimekko wallpaper samples, but you can choose a design to match your home decor. Many interior shops provide wallpaper samples for free; the most challenging thing is picking just one design.
DIY Ruler Pencil Holder
This would make a perfect teacher appreciation gift. I'd love one made with vintage rulers for a more rustic look.
Back to School Unicorn Pencil Bucket
This has to be one of the prettiest pencil caddies I've seen- a fun idea for teens and unicorn lovers.
DIY Apple Pencil Holder
A sure way to become teachers' pet is by making them a cute apple-shaped desk caddy for all their pens and pencils.
Big Bang Theory Sheldon’s Bazinga! Pencil Cup
We're big fans of The Big Bang Theory, so I know this pencil holder would be popular in my home—an excellent gift for the scientists in your family.
DIY Pencil Holder Out of Paper
You need heavy square paper and double-sided sticky tape the make this fun hexagonal-shaped pencil holder. Customise it using pretty printed craft paper or adult colouring pages.
How to Make a Lego Pen and Pencil Holder with Memo Pad Holder
Even though my boys have all left home, I still come across the odd stray piece of Lego; maybe I'll collect enough to make myself a pen pot. It would go with my Lego photo frame on my desk.
Back To school Mason Jar Pencil Holder
Another cute mason jar pencil holder idea, this one is cleverly painted to look like a pencil; it would make a great teacher gift.
Make A DIY Pencil Holder – From Bricks!
What a great gift idea for an architect or engineer; this pencil/pen holder is made from old brick. If you like an industrial aesthetic, this is the desk organizer for you!
Easy Shark Back to School Pencil Holder or Vase DIY for Shark Week
The perfect pencil holder for my shark-obsessed son! There is a good video tutorial on how to make this fun shark with craft foam.
Upcycled Cassettes
Deffinetly a desk caddy for Generation X and a great upcycle. I don't think my Generation Z children have seen a cassette tape.
Upcycled Cardboard Holder
When I first saw these, I thought they were yarn-wrapped tin cans, but they are, in fact, yarn-wrapped cardboard tubes. These pencil cups can easily be made by repurposing both types of household waste. The felt flowers on the front are a lovely decorative addition.
Summer Pencil Holders
Fruity pencil holders for a happy summer look; I love the pineapple holder's friendly face.
DIY Slide Pen Pouch
A free sewing pattern and tutorial for a handy pencil case and holder in one. This is an excellent choice for those working in multiple places or hot desks.
R2-D2 Pencil Holder for Star Wars fans!
This would make a great Father's Day gift for any Star Wars fan and an R2-D2 pencil pot. With some gold paint, it shouldn't be too difficult to make a CP30 version too.
Dinosaur Pencil Holder
Palentolgists and dinosaur-loving kids will love this desk organizer. It's just made from painted cardboard tubes.
Make a Modern Wall Hanging Pen Holder
If you are short of desk space, this modern hanging pen holder may be the one for you. It's just hung by using a simple picture hook fixing.
Faux Brass DIY Desk Organizer
I'm sure I've seen something similar in Anthropologie! This is a stylish pencil organizer; the embossed hexagons and gold spray paint make it look high-end.
Minimal rattan DIY pen holders
Rattan mesh is a popular accent with Boho decor, and these pencil pots fit right in. They are also very straightforward to make.
DIY Pencil Holder from Sifter Decoupaged with Stamps
This is a quirky pen holder; I love the vintage sifter and the decoupaged postage stamps.
Kate Spade Inspired Pencil Holder
All she did was draw a cute bird face on a ceramic plant pot with a sharpie to make this Kade Spade inspired pencil pot.
DIY License Plate Pencil Cup
The perfect pen pot for petrol heads, made from an old licence plate.
Embroidered Plastic Bottle Cups
A unique way to make upcycled pencil organizers is by painting and embroidering plastic bottle pots.
Upcycled Milk Carton Pen Pots
This is a craft for superhero fans, upcycle milk cartons with decoupaged comics to make a fun desk pot.
DIY Tartan Plaid Desk Accessories
A fun tartan craft to give your desk that Scottish vibe with these pen pots.
Other DIY Storage Ideas
If you are always looking for clever and unique ways to store and organize your craft supplies and other belongings, check out some DIY storage solutions on the site.
Like these denim storage boxes, other upcycled denim storage solutions, handy upcycled hanging buckets, and this washi tape holder.
Ikea Moppes are little storage solutions for home offices and desks; check out all these ways to upcycle an Ikea Moppe.
Cara ~ Vintage Style Gal
Tuesday 25th of April 2023
Wow, so many wonderful ideas. I have been dabbling with things that would normally find their way into the trash and have had so much fun working on these projects. I have been saving a milk carton, hmm... maybe my next DIY. :)
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 26th of April 2023
Thank you, yes I like the milk carton idea it looks very simple just some decoupage with pretty paper.