How To Make A Pencil Holder | A Simple DIY for Any Space

You probably have the makings of a pencil holder in your recycling bin right now. Tin cans, toilet roll tubes, plastic bottles, and scrap wood all work as a base. The hard part isn’t the build — it’s choosing a style that fits your tools and your space.

This article walks through three practical approaches: a quick no-sew can wrap, a modular cardboard pot, and a sturdier wood version. Each one uses materials you can source in an afternoon, and each produces a holder that actually holds up to daily use.

Why A Simple Project Beats Store-Bought Organizers

Buying a desk organizer seems easy until you realize most are either too small for your favorite pens, too flimsy to survive a drop, or too expensive to justify. A homemade version sidesteps all three problems.

You control the dimensions. A wider can holds markers and scissors alongside pencils. A taller tube keeps long rulers or brushes from tipping over. And when the holder gets scuffed or outdated, you swap the outer layer instead of tossing the whole thing.

There’s also the satisfaction of turning something headed for the trash into a functional object. A tin can that held beans becomes a piece of desk decor. That’s the kind of reuse that costs nothing and feels surprisingly good.

Which Base Works Best For Your Workspace

Before grabbing glue, think about what goes inside the holder and where it will sit. A heavy plywood block suits a shared workshop bench. A lightweight cardboard pot works better on a cramped student desk. The table below matches base materials to common use cases.

• Tin can (recycled): Great for standard pens, pencils, and thin markers. The metal rim is durable, and the cylinder shape fits easily in a bag or drawer. The to make a pencil guide starts with this exact base.
• Toilet roll tubes (5-pack): Light enough for kids to handle, and the tubes keep individual pens separated so they don’t roll around. Best for a small, portable desk caddy.
• Plywood or pallet wood: Heavy, stable, and long-lasting. Drilling holes of varying diameters means the holder doubles as a brush stand or tool rack. Not a five-minute project, but it will last for years.
• Plastic bottle (cut down): Transparent so you see what’s inside without digging. Smooth edges need sanding or heat-sealing, but the bottle is free and comes with a built-in cap base.

Making A Tin Can Pencil Holder Step By Step

This is the fastest method — roughly 20 minutes from start to finish. The result is a sturdy cylinder that holds up to two dozen pens.

Start by removing the tin can label. Soak the can in warm, soapy water for about ten minutes, then peel the paper off and scrub any sticky residue. Dry the can thoroughly with a towel. Next, choose your outer layer. Craft paper works well: measure the can’s height and circumference, cut the paper to size, then apply a thin layer of glue and wrap it around, smoothing out bubbles as you go.

Twine, raffia, or popsicle sticks are alternative coverings. If you’re glueing twine, work in coils from bottom to top, pressing each wrap into place. Popsicle sticks need to be trimmed to the can’s height and glued vertically, side by side. Each option creates a different texture — paper feels clean, twine looks rustic, sticks read as playful.

Let the glue dry completely — roughly an hour for craft glue, less time for a hot-glue gun — before loading the holder with pencils. The metal base will keep the can from scratching your desk surface.

Building A Cardboard Tube Pencil Pot

If you want a pot that keeps each pen standing upright without leaning, toilet roll tubes are the answer. You’ll need five tubes, an empty tissue box, paint or wrapping paper, and scissors.

1. Prepare the tubes: Cut the tubes to the same height (about 4 inches works well for most pencils). Paint or wrap each tube in paper and let them dry.
2. Arrange inside the box: Place the five tubes inside the tissue box in a 2+3 or star pattern. They should fit snugly; if they wobble, add a dab of glue between tubes.
3. Decorate the box: Cover the outside of the tissue box with wrapping paper or paint to match the tube colors. The box hides the tube bottoms and gives the holder a uniform shape.

The finished pot is lightweight, so it’s best for a desk that doesn’t get jostled much. Each compartment holds roughly four pens, which makes it easy to sort by color or type without digging.

Woodworking A Durable Plywood Pencil Holder

This option requires a few tools — a saw, sandpaper, wood glue, and a drill — but the result is a holder that won’t tip over, won’t dent, and can be customized with different hole sizes. The Instructables plywood pencil holder project walks through the process in detail.

Cut several pieces of plywood to the same width and glue them together to form a solid block. Once the glue sets, cut the block to your preferred height and sand all edges smooth. Then drill holes across the top face — use a ⅜-inch bit for standard pencils and a ½-inch bit for thicker markers or paintbrushes. Arrange the holes in a grid or a staggered pattern.

A solid wood block won’t slide across the desk and has enough weight to stay put when you pull a stubborn pencil out. It’s the most time-intensive option but also the most durable.

The Bottom Line

Making a pencil holder comes down to choosing a base that matches how you use your desk. A recycled tin can with craft paper is the fastest entry point. Toilet roll tubes give you separated compartments without cutting anything heavy. And a plywood block offers the sturdiest holder, suited for workshops or desks that see daily abuse.

Your local hardware store or thrift shop might have the materials for a wood version if you don’t have scrap plywood on hand, and a hobby knife with a cutting mat makes customizing any can or tube significantly safer than using kitchen scissors.