DIY Square Paper Garland

Need a fresh and fun way to decorate for your next celebration?

Try this DIY square paper garland!

It’s a quick, budget-friendly craft that adds a modern touch to birthdays, holidays, or any festive event.

Want to add a modern, geometric twist to your party or home décor?

A DIY square paper garland is a simple yet striking way to decorate for almost any occasion, from birthdays to weddings, baby showers, or even cozy family celebrations.

The sharp, clean lines of square paper cutouts add a fun and contemporary vibe to your decorations, making them ideal for events that need a little extra flair.

What’s fantastic about this project is how easily customizable it is. You can choose the colors, sizes, and even the type of paper depending on your event's theme.

Whether you’re making a bold statement with bright, contrasting colors or going for a more subtle and chic look with pastels or neutrals, this garland is versatile and can be adapted for any celebration.

It's a quick, enjoyable craft project that doesn’t require much in terms of materials, making it an accessible DIY for everyone, from beginners to seasoned crafters.

The best part?

It looks amazing when hung on walls, across mantels, or even draped along doorways.

This garland also makes a fun activity to do with family and friends.

It’s great for birthdays, holidays, or just to add a pop of color to a regular day.

You can hang it in a straight line or let the squares dangle freely for a cute effect. You might even like to make a matching set with these heart paper garlands too!

No matter how you decide to use it, a square paper garland is an easy way to add a special touch to your décor without breaking the bank!

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• Quick and easy: This garland is simple to make and doesn’t require much time or effort. It’s perfect for a last-minute decoration or when you need to make multiple garlands.
• Versatile design: You can mix and match different colors, textures, and sizes to suit any occasion. From minimalist to bold, this project can adapt to your unique style.
• Great for any occasion: Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday celebration, or home décor, a square paper garland is a great way to spruce up your space and add that celebratory vibe.
• Budget-friendly: Using just a few sheets of paper, you can create a stunning decoration without spending a lot of money.
• Perfect for groups or solo crafting: This project is simple enough for kids to do with minimal supervision, yet rewarding enough for adults to enjoy.

Skill Level

★☆☆☆☆ (Very Easy)

Materials Needed

• Colored paper or cardstock
• Scissors
• String, twine, or ribbon (to hang your garland)
• Craft glue
• Ruler (optional, for precise measurements)

The amount of paper and string you use will depend on how long you want your garland to be.

You can mix and match the size of the squares you use. As a guide, you might like to use squares that are about 3 inches (7 cm) in size.

Paper Type & GSM:

Best Paper Type: You can use lightweight cardstock, regular construction paper, or patterned scrapbook paper. Choose based on the look you're going for—lightweight paper works great for a soft, airy garland, while cardstock will create a more structured and bold look.

GSM: A GSM of around 120-160 works perfectly. If you go too thick, the garland may be hard to bend or hang, so aim for something lightweight but sturdy.

Instructions

Step 1

Cut your colored paper into squares. The size and amount of the squares is up to you. To start, you might like to cut your paper into 3 inches (7cm) squares.

You can also experiment with different square sizes for your garland. Alternate between small squares and big squares. The longer the garland, the more squares you will need.

Step 2

Arrange your squares in a line with a bit of space between them. You can arrange the squares so that each square sits like a diamond shape or sits like a normal square (see picture for example).

Step 3

Make sure that the side you want on the outside of your garland is facing down. The side facing up will be where you glue your string.

For this example, we will be arranging our squares so that each one looks like a diamond shape.

Step 4

Cut your string to the length of the line of squares.

Note: If you want to hang your garland straight down, leave a minimum of 11 inches (30 cm) of string on one end. This will be used to tie your garland up.

However, if you want to hang your garland across something, like a mantle or doorway, leave a minimum of 11 inches (30 cm) of string on BOTH ends.

This way you can tie your garland up on both ends.

Tips For Success

• If you want a longer garland, use more squares and string.
• Mixing colors or using paper with patterns like polka dots or stripes can add interest and make your garland pop.
• Vary the sizes: Experiment with varying square sizes for a more dynamic and playful garland.
• Keep it balanced: When stringing your squares, make sure to keep the weight of the paper balanced along the string so the garland hangs evenly.

Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

• Uneven cuts: Make sure your paper squares are cut evenly so that your garland hangs in a balanced way.
• Not enough spacing: If you overcrowd the squares on the string, the garland might look too dense or heavy. Leave enough space for them to move freely.
• Make sure your glue or tape is strong enough to hold the paper squares. Use a glue gun for a more secure bond.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

• Game Day Colors: For a fun game-day garland, use your team’s colors to create a festive atmosphere for friends and family. A mix of bright reds, blues, or team-specific colors will make it an instant hit.
• Celebration Themes: Use metallic or glittery paper to give your garland a more celebratory feel for holidays like New Year’s or Christmas. Red, green, and gold create a festive vibe for any holiday gathering.
• Minimalist Style: For a more modern look, opt for neutrals such as black, white, and grey. These colors work well for sleek, sophisticated décor, especially in monochromatic settings.
• Rainbow Garland: Use all the colors of the rainbow for a fun, cheerful look, or make a gradient effect from one color to the next.
• Themed Garlands: For a bridal shower, baby shower, or wedding, soft pastels or florals are perfect. Similarly, for a holiday garland, stick to traditional red, green, or even Christmas-themed patterns like snowflakes or stars.

FAQ

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

• DIY Paper Bag With Drawstring
• Origami Hearts
• Origami Stocking
• Origami Cup
• Origami Heart

Helpful Origami Tips

If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.

Start with the valley fold and mountain fold—these are the foundation of most origami models.

Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.

The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.