How to Make a Magazine File

Magazines are great for getting information in convenient monthly packages, but storing them can be a hassle. You can create tear files of the pages you want to save, but some magazines have so much good information that you just can't bear to get rid of any of it. Instead of spending a small fortune on magazine holders from the store--let me show you how to make your own out of cereal boxes!

Things You'll Need

• Cereal boxes
• Ruler
• Marker
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Wrapping paper or shelf paper
• Adhesive
• Large clips
• Trim and other accessories (optional)

Instructions

How to Make Version 1: Vertical File

1. 

   Measure 1 inch (or more) from the top and side of the box at one upper corner and then half to two-thirds down the box from the other upper corner. Repeat these measurements on the other side of the box and draw lines connecting the points.

2. 

   Cut along these lines, keeping the two portions as intact as possible. If your cereal box is wide enough to hold the magazines as is, trim across the short spine edge as measured. If not, go ahead and remove the entire short spine, leaving one end of the box completely open for now.

3. 

   To expand the depth of your file start by taping closed the flaps on the inside and outside of the box top, then cut it in half widthwise. Figure out how much extra space you need (should be around an inch unless you have wide-format magazines) and cut a spare piece from the extra spine. Tape this piece into place between the two halves, inside and old, to create a new base for your file and even out the diagonal line.

4. 

   Fit the two pieces together, one inside the other, with the taller sides opposite each other. Mark where the two diagonal sides intersect and trim the outer layer flat along that point.

5. 

   Cover the box with the wrapping paper or shelf paper as if you were wrapping a gift. You can either attach the two pieces and wrap as one or wrap each separately and use the diagonal overlap as a design element. Just make sure you attach both pieces together at some point for stability.

How to Make Version 2: Horizontal File

1. 

   Start by sealing the open end of your box with duct tape. We won't be adding an extra layer to this file, so be sure to tape the edges and corners well, leaving one long side free of tape.

2. 

   Measure an inch down from the untaped edge and draw a cut line all the way around. You can choose to arch the short sides or cut the front deeper than the back for a decorative touch, or just leave it straight for a no-frills file. Cut along this line once you've made your design choices.

3. 

   Cover the file with decorative paper and embellish as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Reinforcing corner edges with duct tape will help your file last longer.

• Coordinate your file to the room by covering it with leftover wallpaper or pages from discarded wallpaper sample books.

• Instead of using paper, consider painting the box as decoration.

• Smaller boxes, like those from snack packets and cereal bars, can be used to store and organize cards.