Designer Storage Made With Cardboard Boxes- Style A

10 Materials
$2
4 Hours
Easy

So as I mentioned in a previous post we've been doing a makeover in my craft room and the issue was not enough storage! We fixed that with building cabinet storage but....I needed more as all crafters can understand I'm sure. With the budget blown I had to get creative if I wanted free storage that looked half way to pretty!

Several of these sturdy , cardboard boxes were used as temporary storage while my room was under construction so I thought to dress them up somehow? Heh it's recycling at it finest, come on now think outside of the box!

Prep work simply involves removing any packaging tape or glossy labels beforehand to ensure the paint will adhere evenly onto the box.

A clean white slate, yes that's what l needed to begin with! I'm just using white, semi-gloss household paint leftovers from other projects. I folded the four tabs at the top inside to give the box extra strength there. I applied two coats of paint to give it full coverage, the folded inside lids were painted as well.

So here's where I get creative, you see my husband doesn't value scraps like I do but he'd also rather build something from scratch rather than renovate! 😄 These strips of wood were scraps that were excesses he cut off from wood as it passed through the table saw. I had stained these strips previously to perhaps make a tobacco basket. I'm thinking that flat basket reeds are exactly like my strips or perhaps washi tape would be awesome to try instead. * I made all of my cuts with the utility scissors seen here.

I applied the two side strips first with Titebond Glue but any wood glue would work fine. Next I made cuts for the top and bottom strips and now I dared to be creative....mitre cuts!! Measure twice and cut once...or twice if the first cut was wrong, hahah. So as seen above I wanted the diagonal strip to butt into the bottom corner so I aligned my ruler with the two border strips to make my marks at exactly where they would rest against the interior of the border.

I criss-crossed the strips to form an x but I didn't mitre at the center...shoulda, coulda, woulda but I didn't because it was more tedious cuts for me as a newbie and these strips were very thin so it was fine. I used painters tape to secure the strips in place until the glue had dried.

Pulls would be a nice addition? I went rummaging through my supplies and found two handles recycled from a wicker basket, cha-ching they'll work perfect! The holes were pre-drilled and they were previously tied onto the basket with Raffia so I'll just tie them onto my box with jute string!

I chose to place them at the top so I drilled holes into the strip, the box and inner flap folded inside. With all of those layers the handles would have something solid to be attached onto. I simply fed the string through the handle and into the drilled holes. The other end of string was just flipped over the top edge of the box to meet the first end at the back and simply tied.

Heres a side profile of the finished look, I recalled I had upholstery tacks and I popped them in at the corners and intersecting points to just add a little more detail. Yes they are protruding through the cardboard a little on the inside but I'm aware of where they are and it won't affect my usage. However, if they do I'll either snip the tips off with some cutting pliers or put something over the tips like another small piece of cardboard or foam with some tape.

Yes, I think I have a winner! One box completed and one left to tackle, these aren't hard to make just a little time consuming but heh...I'm not going anywhere I always say! That's the way I look at it with this pandemic, staying home is allowing me to be even more creative with what I have!

Just like that cardboard became stylish, rustic storage for my utility stand!

I'm imagining all of the goodies I can stuff into those cuties, afterall when I do shop now I buy craft supplies in bulk so I really needed these! Shhh, that'll be our little secret!

I've shared this project in hopes of inspiring you to get creative with what you have or for just pennies to create for yourself some stylish, custom storage for an entry closet, kids toys, craft room maybe the bathroom for all of those extra rolls we've bought? Please keep you and yours safe and well and be sure to pop back to see more of my creative storage ideas.

P.S. I'm working on some Spring color for the next set... because I have to fill the shelves in that storage tower right? You'll want to check these out too...I just know it!

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  • Steff Blue Eyes Steff Blue Eyes on Mar 16, 2021

    The wine boxes look pretty as is. Can you customize bins without removing the wine decal?

  • Mary Njus Mary Njus on Mar 17, 2021

    Confession time...I’m addicted to boxes, bins, baskets (hometalk you’re a little to blame. Lol) I love your project. Now can someone tell me where I can go to “storage items anonymous?” I’ve got to stop drooling with ideas every time I see a box! TFS.

  • Lori Christopherson Lori Christopherson on Mar 16, 2022

    You could also use diaper boxes. Find a new mother.

    They accumulate very fast.

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  • Allinthefamilysingers Allinthefamilysingers on Mar 17, 2022

    REAlly pretty. Me too I am running out of space because unused boxes that are waiting on me My family is getting boxed out... I really like the handles they could probally be made from an old broom handle I am going to try it. Thanks so much for sharing.

  • Monica Monica on Mar 13, 2023

    These turned out beautifully.! .✌My idea of crafting, use what you have, that's the point for me, crafting should be free for the most part.

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