Some handmade projects are created for their usefulness.
Others are made simply because they’re attractive.
These homemade cork trivets happen to offer both qualities.
They shield your table from hot cookware while looking like something you might find in a charming boutique and instantly decide you had to own. Even better? They’re remarkably simple to create.
Unlike plenty of other tutorials, this project doesn’t require a Cricut, vinyl, transfer tape, a stencil, or even a wood-burning device. You only need sheet cork, my complimentary printable pattern, a craft knife, and a hot glue gun.
If you’ve followed DIY Candy for some time, you may recall my wine cork coasters. They’re a creative way to repurpose saved wine corks into something practical. This design uses an entirely different method, layering cork sheets to form contemporary leaf patterns with a neat, uncomplicated, slightly Scandinavian feel.
Projects like this are especially appealing to me because they genuinely deserve space in the kitchen. Since every home needs a place for a hot tea kettle, casserole dish, Dutch oven, or serving bowl, why not create an item that safeguards your table while adding visual appeal?
Reasons to Love These Homemade Cork Trivets
While looking into this project, I noticed that a lot of tutorials depend on specialized equipment. They ask you to create artwork, cut vinyl, use transfer tape, position a stencil, outline everything with a pen, and then carefully burn the pattern onto a ready-made cork trivet with a wood-burning tool. Although the results are lovely, the process is more complicated than many crafters prefer.
This craft stays wonderfully straightforward.
Print out the template.
Trim the shapes.
Adhere the layers together.
That’s all.
That’s exactly the type of craft I enjoy most. Your time goes toward making something rather than figuring out unfamiliar tools or questioning whether you purchased the proper materials.
Helpful Advice Before Beginning
The craft knife plays the leading role in this project, so improve your odds of success by choosing a new, sharp blade. It produces neater cuts, moves around curves more smoothly, and is actually safer than pushing a blunt blade through the material.
I also suggest using multiple gentle passes rather than attempting to slice through everything in one go. Although it requires slightly more time, the finished edges will be considerably cleaner.
If possible, use a cutting mat, and move slowly around narrow curves. There’s no need to hurry.
Side note:if you own a Cricut or a different cutting machine, you can absolutely try designing your own stencil or cutting patterns from vinyl. Still, there’s something wonderfully satisfying about creating these with only a printed template and a craft knife. At times, the easiest approach truly works best.
Do Cork Trivets Withstand Heat?
This is likely the main concern people have before beginning this project.
Yes, they do.
Natural cork provides excellent insulation, which explains why it has been used for trivets and hot pads for many years. It handles everyday kitchen tasks with ease, including protecting counters and tables from warm mugs, teapots, serving dishes, and baking pans.
When taking something straight from a very hot oven—particularly at temperatures above 450°F—I prefer to leave it on the stovetop for a minute or two before setting it on any handmade trivet. This is simply a sensible precaution and can help your creation remain useful for even longer.
Personalize Your Trivets
The leaf design works wonderfully for autumn, but after mastering the method, you can make nearly any pattern.
Autumn pumpkins.
Winter snowflakes.
Valentine hearts.
Housewarming monograms.
Clean geometric patterns for a contemporary kitchen.
One quality I particularly appreciate about cork is its texture, which feels warm and organic, while its neutral appearance complements nearly every decorating aesthetic. Whether your kitchen has a farmhouse, Scandinavian, modern, or blended style, these homemade cork trivets look right at home.
They’re also a wonderful addition to a considerate handmade present. Combine a set with a beloved cookbook, freshly baked bread, gourmet olive oil, or an attractive kitchen towel, and you’ll have a meaningful gift without a high price tag.
Find the printable instructions below:
Create a Cork Trivet
Discover how to make DIY cork trivets with sheet cork, a complimentary printable template, a craft knife, and hot glue. They’re suitable for beginners, heat resistant, and lovely as handcrafted gifts.
Makes: 1 trivet
Price: $4
- 1 piece Cork square deep brown, 12” x 12”
- 1 piece Cork square pale brown, at least 6” x 6”
- Leaf picture pattern
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Save the leaf picture, place it in a word-processing application, and scale it to about 5” across before printing. Repeat with the same picture at roughly 6.5” wide, then print another copy.
Leaf picture pattern
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Cut away the extra paper surrounding the larger leaf, keeping a white border around the pattern for the moment.
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Using your tape, secure the LARGER leaf outline(s) onto the bigger, darker cork piece.
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With a craft knife, follow the entire perimeter of the larger leaf pattern while working on top of the mat. Cutting through the paper’s white area also slices into the cork. Next, work with the smaller piece.
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Divide the smaller leaf print into two sections so it can fit on the smaller, lighter cork sheet. Secure both sections with tape, then use the craft knife to cut each leaf segment separately.
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Arrange the small sections over the darker piece, checking that everything is correctly positioned for gluing.
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Apply hot glue beneath every section, using plenty to hold them firmly in place. Allow the project to cool.
With the larger piece, you only follow the leaf’s outside border; for the smaller piece, each section between the lines must be cut apart. The stem is unnecessary, so remove that part.
- For the neatest results, choose a sharp craft knife.
- Make multiple gentle passes instead of trying to make one forceful cut.
- Be sure to work on a safeguarded surface every time.
- These work wonderfully beneath hot mugs, teapots, serving plates, and regular cookware. If using a very hot pan fresh from the oven, let it sit for a short while before setting it on the trivet.
If you create these, please share your thoughts in the comments. You may also want to take a look at my clothespin trivets—they’re pretty fun!
If crafting with cork is your thing, I have a few suggestions for you. You might also enjoy exploring these additional autumn crafts and posts:
Pumpkin Made from Book Pages • DIY Autumn Wreath • Pumpkin Garland • Autumn Gnomes • Small Fall Banners • Tiny Pumpkin Vases • Small Pumpkin Wreath • Leaf Decor from Scrapbook Paper • Twig Candle Holders • Toilet Paper Pumpkins • Pumpkins Made from Wine Corks