A napkin holder has two main functions: the first is to keep your napkins clean and within reach. The second one is to look pretty! If you’re like me, then both matter, which is why I’m sharing these lovely DIY napkin holder ideas.
I’ve always found napkin holders to be very practical, especially if you have a large family or you’re often hosting gatherings.
If you’re looking for a pretty way to display or store your napkins, these ideas for napkin holders will provide some awesome inspiration!
Not interested in making one? Click here to shop our favorites!
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DIY Napkin Rings FAQ
What can be used for a napkin holder?
There are so many ideas for this in this post! Some of my favorite are baskets, clothes pins, wire, wood, and even clay. Scroll down to see all of the napkin holder ideas that incorporate these items!
How do you make a napkin holder?
Making a napkin holder can be as easy as tossing cloth napkins in a basket! But if you’re interested in trying a little bit more involved DIY, then scroll down to see how to make a napkin holder out of all sorts of creative things!
Do people still use napkin holders?
Yes! Both napkin rings and napkin holders are still very trendy and on-point when it comes to decorating your table or kitchen.
How to use napkin rings
Napkin rings are used to display single napkins at each place setting on a table. I recommend using napkin rings with cloth napkins (rather than paper/disposable ones) because it is something that elevates the napkin to a focal point. There are many ways to use napkin rings – the two most common being grabbing the center of the napkin and pulling through the ring or folding the napkin nicely and placing the ring around it.
Does Hobby Lobby have napkin holders?
Hobby Lobby does have a few options for napkin holders, but my favorite place to shop for them is actually Amazon! Whether you want one that stands or lays down, and no matter what your decor style is, Amazon has one that will be a great option. AND, most of them are under $20!
Click here to shop napkin holders on Amazon.
30 DIY Napkin Holder Ideas
Whether you need one to make sure spills can be handled with ease, or you’re looking for ways to decorate your table, these DIY napkin holder ideas are fun projects that will have you making something truly useful.
1. DIY Modern Napkins Tray
A wooden napkins tray is super easy to customize. You can paint or stain the wood to your liking, apply stencils, vinyl and other embellishments.
Even as a beginner crafter, this project is not intimidating at all and requires a few affordable supplies. Let’s get started!
Credit: ohohdeco.com
2. DIY Kitchen Utensil Holder & Dish Holder Set
Making an entire matching collection of kitchen holders is definitely worth the effort.
However, if you just want to craft the napkin holder, that’s great too! This project uses inexpensive plywood that’s easy to work with.
The painted geometric decor can be replaced with any other pattern or style to match your kitchen or living room!
Credit: homemadebycarmona.com
3. DIY Scrap Wood Napkin Rings With Daisies
There are so many excellent uses for scrap wood and these napkin rings are one of them.
Setting up a pretty table is important in my book, and napkin rings are a must for a gorgeous tablescape!
Luckily, an easy scrap wood project like this one will let you personalize your napkin rings for any occasion.
Credit: danslelakehouse.com
4. Simple DIY Napkin Holders With Elmer’s Wood Glue
Can you actually make cute napkin holders with just two supplies? Here’s a project that shows you can!
In this tutorial, learn how to make napkin rings with just plain wooden napkin rings and Elmer’s wood glue. This is a fast DIY you won’t regret!
If you want to take things one step further, you can paint or stain your napkin rings to give them a more elaborate look.
Credit: thehandmadehome.net
5. DIY French Country Style Napkin Holder With Thrifted Basket
Get your hands on a shallow woven basket and turn it into a farmhouse napkin holder for the low price of a few dollars! This is one of my favorite cloth napkin holder ideas.
The slightly worn look that adds tons of rustic charm was pulled off quickly with some diluted gray chalk paint. Such a clever idea!
Credit: hydrangeatreehouse.com
6. How To Make Wood Bead Napkin Rings
From the endless number of wood bead crafts, these simple and charming napkin rings are one even children can tackle.
The plain look is beautiful but if you prefer livelier colors, you can always paint the beads before tying them with stretch cord.
Credit: salvagedliving.com
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7. Rustic Upcycled Clothespin Napkin Holder
It’s hard to find a napkin holder that matches your style preferences and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
I’d say it’s actually easier to craft one, and upcycling clothespins makes for an affordable project that actually looks lovely!
If you leave the clothespins plain, your napkin holder will have farmhouse vibes.
Painting them is another option and it will let you customize the napkin holder for any holiday or season!
Credit: diyncrafts.com
8. Flower Napkin Ring DIY
One of the easiest ideas is to use fresh or faux flowers to make napkin rings.
The best part is, you can play around with different flowers and create seasonal decor for your tablescapes in just a few minutes!
Credit: abeautifulmess.com
9. DIY Fall Napkin Holder Made With Dollar Tree Supplies
Celebrate fall with a seasonal tablescape decorated with a pretty DIY napkin holder!
For this DIY, you’ll need a clear plastic napkin holder and some leaf ornaments, all of which you can find at the Dollar Tree.
Of course, you can use this idea to make napkin holders for any other season, or even personalize them for birthday parties.
Credit: sunnydayfamily.com
10. DIY Napkin Rings In Under 10 Minutes
For a neutral, modern table setting, these DIY napkin rings are just what you need to complete the look.
This polymer clay craft is the perfect base to mold all sorts of napkin rings.
You can use various colors of clay, carve patterns, and make different shapes.
Once you get the hang of working with polymer clay, I’m sure you can come up with some interesting ideas on your own!
Credit: yourdiyfamily.com
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11. Modern DIY Napkin Holder
No need to be an expert woodworker to make this simple but classy DIY napkin holder.
You’ll need some basic tools and a sheet of birch plywood to get started.
I love the neutral look of this napkin holder as it works well with various decorating styles and even more, it works for any season!
Credit: acraftedpassion.com
12. DIY Brass Napkin Holder
A white base and two brass rings make a surprisingly elegant napkin holder you can use in the kitchen, living room, or any other room in your home.
This DIY requires only basic tools, but the drill is most important. You’ll need it to drill holes into the base for attaching the rings.
Credit: themerrythought.com
13. DIY Scrap Wood Napkin Holder
Whether you want to make this napkin holder with a patriotic design like the original or you’d rather keep it simple, it’s an excellent project for outdoors.
It keeps the napkins in place, even if it’s windy so you don’t have to pick them up from random places in your yard.
Credit: jaimecostiglio.com
14. Balsa Wood Napkin Holder
The look of natural wood is not for everyone, enter chalkboard paint to the rescue!
With a sheet of balsa wood, some glue, chalkboard paint, and a chalk marker, you can quickly assemble and decorate a rustic napkin holder that shines in its simplicity.
Credit: theinspiredhive.com
15. All-In-One DIY Napkin Holder And Succulent Centerpiece
Can a humble napkin holder be the star of the show on your table?
Here’s a super creative project that amps up the beauty factor for an otherwise functional item.
Starting with a small square wooden planter box and faux succulents, this DIY couldn’t get any easier and the results are impressive!
Credit: stowandtellu.com
16. DIY Tufted Napkin Holder
Owning a laser cutter will let you make all sorts of incredible projects, this napkin holder included!
Use the free included cut file to cut the MDF and then customize it as you see fit with acrylic craft paint.
Credit: akailochiclife.com
17. DIY Rustic Napkin Holder
What I love most about this easy woodworking project is you can adjust the size of your napkin holder for cocktail napkins, dinner napkins, or any other type of napkin.
The subtle rope design adds a touch of nautical flair to this cute napkin holder, but even if you leave it plain, it will still look cute!
Credit: h2obungalow.com
18. DIY Scandinavian NYE Napkin Holders
Such a simple idea to tie napkins with a leather strap and add flowers and glitter stars, but it totally works!
These napkin holder rings will definitely contribute to your New Year’s eve tablescape and it works for any other kind of party.
Credit: monstercircus.com
19. Easy DIY Wood Napkin Holder From Scrap Wood
Scrap wood is truly wonderful to have, and if you didn’t like the scrap wood napkin holders I shared above, perhaps this one is more up your alley.
The build is really easy and what sets apart this napkin holder is the amazing transformation from new to weathered wood.
You can even go as far as making realistic worm holes, which will add more farmhouse charm to your napkin holder.
Credit: dodosondesigns.com
20. DIY 5-Minute Napkin Rings
Adding some last touches to your table decor? Try this super quick craft to make some glamorous napkin rings for your guests.
Who knew small golden frames can make such classy napkin rings? As a bonus, they serve as place cards too!
Credit: confessionsofaserialdiyer.com
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21. How To Make Gold Wire Napkin Rings
While we’re in the gold table decor department, these gold wire napkin rings would certainly make your tablescape more chic.
As one of the simplest napkin holder ideas, they’re not just easy to make, they would also work well for both modern and more traditional decorating styles.
Credit: shadesofblueinteriors.com
22. DIY Terracotta Pot Napkin Rings
Okay, let’s be honest: you can make napkin rings out of pretty much anything.
For a creative farmhouse tablescape, using small terracotta pots to make napkin rings is a wonderful idea!
You just need to drill a hole in your mini pots and sand the edges a bit.
Credit: cottageatthecrossroads.com
23. Clothespin Napkin Holder
Here’s another cute napkin holder made of clothespins. As you can see, the clothespins can be arranged in various ways to get some unique napkin holders.
You’ll need only wooden clothespins, craft or wood glue, and optionally spray paint if you don’t like the plain look of wood.
Credit: diycandy.com
24. Dollar Tree DIY Rainbow Napkin Holder
You can purchase any wire napkin holder and pretty it up with embroidery floss.
Just think about all the color and pattern combinations you could try with this method!
This really is a frugal craft and quite fun too, so the kids might want to give you a hand.
Credit: themerrythought.com
25. DIY Air Dry Clay Napkin Rings
Air dry clay is an easy to work with material that can be used for all sorts of crafts: planters, fridge magnets, bowls, coasters, key chains, jewelry, and yes…..even napkin rings!
This version uses plain white clay stamped with the name of your guests and the resulting napkin rings will work with almost any table decor.
Credit: gatheringbeauty.com
26. Cute DIY Napkin Holders Out Of Popsicle Sticks
Popsicle sticks might be a popular craft supply for kids, but who says us grown-up can’t use them too?
You only need 6 popsicle sticks, glue, and some decorations to make a cute napkin holder, so there’s really no excuse not to try it!
Credit: diyncrafts.com
27. Upcycled Napkin Holder From A Thrift Store Find
Sometimes an old napkin holder can turn out exceptional if you decide to give it some TLC.
I absolutely love the faux patina the dry brush painting technique gave this vintage napkin holder. It really made it look like an expensive purchase!
Credit: confessionsofaserialdiyer.com
28. DIY Napkin Holder From A Mail Organizer
If you’re willing to get creative, you can repurpose items into becoming something entirely new, like this napkin holder made from an old mail organizer.
The result is a gorgeous farmhouse napkin holder that looks a bit worn like it should for this amazing decorating style!
Credit: organizedclutter.com
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29. DIY Wooden Tissue Box Cover
This is not exactly a napkin holder, but it could very well be one!
Being made from plywood, you can adjust the size and opening of this tissue box to fit whatever napkins you typically use.
The plain look is great for a minimal, modern table setting, but with paint and other decorations, the final outcome can be whatever you want.
Credit: themerrythought.com
30. Simple DIY Napkin Holder From Scrap Wood
If you’re up for a quick woodworking project and you have some scrap wood waiting to be used, this is the perfect project to try!
For farmhouse and rustic decorating styles, this napkin holder will flawlessly blend in, helping your guests deal with greasy fingers and spills.
Credit: thecraftedmaker.com
So, did you find a fun one of our napkin holder ideas to be a project you might tackle? If you aren’t a DIY’er and would rather buy one, I’ve got a bunch linked below that are both affordable and stylish!
Affordable Napkin Holder Ideas
As always, let me know if you have any questions!
