How to Make Decorative Storage Boxes

You can make your own decorative storage boxes rather than rely on the colors and patterns at your local store.

Each year that you live in your home, you accumulate more and more items. These may be keepsakes, old clothes or simply trinkets you wish to save. So it's important to make use of your existing space in the most efficient way possible. One way of doing is by organizing your closets and spaces using decorative storage boxes. Because of their attractive appearance, you have the option of jazzing up a closet space or setting them out since they will match your existing home decor.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard box or canvas storage bin
• Dusting cloth
• Decorative craft paper
• Decoupage glue
• Inkjet computer label
• Pen
• Glitter or embellishments

Instructions

1. Decide what size box you need for your organization project. For larger spaces, choose an old cardboard box from your garage. For smaller spaces, choose a shoebox to decorate. If you prefer, you can start with a pre-made canvas bin.

2. Dust the box and clean out any cobwebs or dirt.

3. Determine the room or space where you wish to place your storage box. Go to your local craft store and select decorative paper to use for this project. Choose paper that coordinates with colors in the space where you wish to store your boxes. Purchase enough paper so that you can cover all boxes you wish to decorate.

4. Use decoupage glue that is a mixture of half water and half glue to cover one side of your box. Place the paper you purchased on that side. If the box is large, it is OK to overlap the paper to create a layered effect on the box. Use this technique on all sides of the box. Depending on what you wish to store in the box, decorate the lid, as well. When completed, cover the entire box with one to two layers of the glue to seal the paper on the box for years to come.

5. Allow your storage box to dry and place an inkjet computer label on the front and center of the storage box. Label the box with its contents so that you know what is inside.

6. Add additional glitter or embellishments to your storage box, if you wish. You might use hot glue to adhere a fake flower to the front or add three-dimensional stickers to further enhance your box.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage kids to help with this project so that they will be excited about the organization process.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Top Secrets from Good Housekeeping's Decluttering Gurus

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Good Housekeeping: Home Organization Tips
• Decoupage: Discover Decoupage