Paper Mâché Easter Eggs: Modern, Textured & Sustainable Home Decor

Astrid van Essen
6 days ago
4 min read

Handmade, sustainable Easter décor for calm spring styling

Christmas is over, the decorations are packed away, and if I’m honest, I’m already thinking about spring. January can feel long and slightly heavy, and I often find myself wanting to skip ahead to lighter days. Bringing a small seasonal project into the house helps with that. Making oversized paper mâché Easter eggs is a great way to gently shift the mood without rushing the season.

3 oversized unpainted paper mâché Easter eggs made from newspaper are beautifully arranged on a shallow wooden bowl on a rustic wooden dining table, placed on softly crumpled natural linen. The newsprint texture and print is still clearly visible on the eggs. A few delicate pressed flowers are lightly attached to the eggs. Bare spring branches and dried botanicals are aranged around the egg, like a little nest. — Paper Mâché Easter Eggs: Modern, Textured & Sustainable Home Decor

These modern, textured Easter eggs are made from recycled newspaper and simple flour paste, then finished in soft off-whites, stone tones or muted sage. Styled in bowls, on shelves or as an Easter table centrepiece, they offer a calm, modern alternative to brightly coloured decorations.

Why paper mâché Easter eggs work so well for modern homes

Paper mâché is often underestimated, but when it’s kept simple, it becomes a beautiful material for understated home décor. Newspaper adds subtle layers and texture that feel organic and genuinely handmade.

Oversized paper mâché Easter eggs:

Are lightweight but visually striking
Use recycled, low-cost materials
Suit minimalist, Scandi and Japandi interiors
Avoid plastic and single-use Easter décor
Can be reused year after year

They fit perfectly into a more sustainable approach to Easter styling.

Materials you’ll need

This project uses simple, accessible materials:

Newspaper, torn into strips
Flour and water (for paste)
Balloons or foam eggs (as moulds)
A mixing bowl
Chalky paint in off-white, stone or soft sage (optional)
Soft brush or sponge
Matte sealant or diluted PVA glue (optional)
Gold foil or gold leaf (optional decorative detail)

Also read How to Make Papier Mâché: 3 Easy Recipes for Every Project

How to make oversized paper mâché Easter eggs

1. Make the paste

Mix flour and water until smooth and pourable, similar to single cream. Avoid thick paste, as it adds unnecessary weight.

2. Layer the newspaper

Dip the torn newspaper strips into the paste, remove excess, and layer over the balloon or foam egg. Two to three thin layers are enough.

3. Dry fully

Allow the eggs to dry completely in a warm, well-ventilated space. Rotate them occasionally to prevent flat spots. Drying usually takes 24–48 hours.

4. Remove the mould

Once fully dry, pop the balloon or gently remove the foam egg. Trim the opening neatly if needed.

Finishing ideas: neutral, textured and understated

You can leave the eggs unpainted to highlight the natural newspaper texture, which already has a soft, warm tone.

A close-up of an unpainted handmade paper mâché Easter eggs made from recycled newspaper. Soft layers of torn newsprint and faint text fragments are visible beneath the surface. Delicate pieces of gold leaf are applied sparingly along a natural seam of the egg, catching the light subtly rather than shining. The eggs are arranged on a shallow ceramic bowl

For a slightly more refined look:

Lightly paint with off-white, stone or soft sage
Use a dry-brush technique so the texture remains visible
Avoid glossy finishes

Seal with a matte finish if you plan to store them long term.

For more styling and decoration ideas read: DYI Hanging Paper Mâché Easter Egg Decorations

Subtle decoration idea: gold foil accents

If you’d like to add a gentle decorative touch, gold foil works beautifully with neutral paper mâché.

Use small, irregular fragments rather than full coverage
Apply along a seam or on one side of the egg
Keep it subtle so it feels organic rather than shiny

Close-up of hands carefully applying delicate gold leaf to an unpainted paper mâché Easter egg made from recycled newspaper. Fine torn newsprint layers and subtle text fragments are visible beneath the surface. The egg rests on a rustic wooden table covered with softly crumpled natural linen. Small sheets of gold leaf, a fine brush and wax paper lie nearby. — Paper Mâché Easter Eggs With Gold Foil Accents

This adds warmth and a quiet sense of occasion without overpowering the handmade look.

Styling ideas for paper mâché Easter eggs

1. Bowl styling

Arrange the eggs in a shallow wooden, ceramic or concrete bowl. Keep everything neutral and let the texture do the work. This is ideal for coffee tables, sideboards or kitchen islands.

2. Shelf or sideboard accents

Style one or two eggs on open shelving alongside books, linen or a small branch. Think of them as sculptural objects rather than decorations.

3. Easter table centrepiece (low and calm)

Use the eggs as a modern Easter table centrepiece. Place a small group of eggs directly on a linen runner or in a low bowl in the centre of the table. Add bare branches, dried grasses or a few sprigs of blossom if desired, keeping everything low so the table remains practical. This creates a seasonal focal point without feeling themed or cluttered.

Sustainable Easter styling, intentionally done

What I love most about this project is how little it asks of you. It uses what’s already at home, encourages slow, mindful making, and results in décor you’ll want to reuse every spring. Instead of buying new decorations each year, these eggs become part of a quiet seasonal ritual.

For me, that’s the most satisfying way to decorate for Easter.

Paper Mâché Easter Eggs: Frequently asked questions

Are paper mâché eggs fragile?
When made with thin layers and fully dried, they are sturdy enough for decorative use.
Can I make them waterproof?
They are not waterproof, but a matte sealant will protect them from dust and light moisture.
Do they need to be painted?Not at all. The raw newspaper texture is part of their appeal.
Can children help with this project?
Children can help with tearing paper and layering, but drying and finishing are best done by adults.
How should I store them after Easter?
Wrap loosely in tissue paper and store in a dry box. They’ll last for many seasons.