Palm trees are a classic and iconic image for a tropical paradise getaway, and many people feel a sense of summer and escape when looking at them. You, too, can bring the tropical allure indoors with DIY decor by creating your own version of a palm tree using carpet rolls. If you want to craft something special, this tutorial will walk you through how to make a life-like palm tree from carpet rolls, beautiful decorations, and a few other simple materials.
First of all, you’ll need two left-over carpet rolls, some scissors, hot glue, glue gun, and a few decorations. Even though natural materials like leaves and twigs may seem more authentic when creating your tree, they can be hard to source. However, if you have access to a craft store, you can find artificial palm leaves, vines, and branches that give the same effect. For this project, we used faux palm leaves, adding realism to an otherwise unusual material. Lastly, if you have some fabric scraps lying around, you can add some texture and color to your palm leaves.
Now that we have our supplies, let’s start building. Start by cutting the carpet rolls into three even-length pieces. You can adjust the length of the pieces depending on how tall you want your tree to be. Then, glue the three pieces together to form a palm trunk. Make sure that the trunk looks authentic by slightly enabling the pieces to curve up towards the top of the tree.
The next step is to secure the palm leaves onto the trunk. Start by cutting the leaves into 10-12 petals and glue them onto the sides of the carpet roll using a glue gun. If using fabric scraps, you can also glue them onto the leaves to add texture and color. After you’ve glued the petals, add on some pieces of vine or small twigs to act as the palm tendrils.
At this point, the palm tree should look pretty complete. To add more realism, you can add a pot at the base of the trunk, or some tropical-inspired decorations around the base of the tree such as shells or dried starfish. If you have access to a 3-D printer, you can even print a birdbath to attach to the top of the tree.
After you’ve completed the steps, your faux palm tree should look like a real one! And, now your home is one step closer to a tropical paradise. If you’d like to use this project for an outdoor decor piece, you can secure it in the ground for added stability.
Faux Coconut For a Touch of Authenticity
If you want your palm tree to look as realistic as possible, consider adding a few faux coconuts to the mix. It’s easy to get faux coconuts from a craft store, or you can make them from old paper or plastic cups. All you have to do is take a cup and wrap it in brown craft paper, then attach it to the top of your palm tree. Add some painted touches of green and you have a realistic looking faux coconut.
It’s important to note that adding a few faux coconuts is just an optional step in your project – they do not need to be included to make the project look complete. However, if you do decide to add them, it will create a more realistic atmosphere and evoke the tropics even more.
Fluff Out Your Tree
To get the palms leaves to look even more realistic, try ‘fluffing out’ each petal. Your goal is to make each one a bit longer and fluffier. To do this, you’ll need to carefully push off the glue from the edges of each petal and then pull the petal outwards a bit. The glue should help keep the petal in place, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping off the trunk.
Once you have fluffed out all the petals, your DIY palm tree should look complete. It’s an easy yet effective way to create your own masterpiece, and it doesn’t have to cost any more than a few dollars – making it perfect for a fun craft and budget-savvy decor project.
Give it a Tropical Paint Job
If you want your palm tree to stand out from the crowd, consider giving it a paint job. Green and brown paint, the colors of natural palm trees, is perfect for this project, however, you could opt for any color you like. Add a few stripes of different colors for a summery look that won’t fail to lift up the atmosphere of any room.
Just be careful if you decide to paint the trunk, as it doesn’t have to be too thick with paint, since the main focus is on the leaves. The stripes you create should be subtle and not overpowering. Also, make sure that the paint isn’t too watery, as it could damage the carpet rolls.
Create Some Artificial Shade
Adding a bit of artificial shade to your palm tree is a great way to add more realism and character to it. To make the shade, you can either use some fabric or tulle fabric, or you can cut a piece of cardboard into a fan shape. Choose a color that matches the rest of the tree, and glue it onto the top of the trunk.
To complete the look, you could also add some cloth or paper ‘leaves’ around the fan for added realism. This will also protect your faux palm leaves from the sun, ensuring that their color remains the same over time.
Time To Show It Off
Once you’ve finished your palm tree, it’s time to show it off! Place it in a corner of your house and enjoy its presence. In the day time, the leaves will make the room look more vibrant and airy, while at night, its presence invites a cozy atmosphere.
These days, you can find artificial plants everywhere, yet nothing quite compares to a handmade one. Making your own palm tree is not only a fun and creative exercise, but it will also add a truly unique and special touch to your home.
